I agree, but it's probably not worth it to me to replace the valve.That's not normal though. All kinds of people in Alberta were at -40F over the weekend and all their stuff still works? Even guys with the same ZF 8 speed.
Maybe I could put some ATF in it and it would loosen it right up!I wonder if a fluid change (maybe even a different brand) would help there?
Most transmissions with electronic shifters just have solenoids inside to control prnd and a bolt or cable to emergency release the parking pawlThe shifter knob may be electronic, but there is still a mechanical shifter and linkage that shifts the transmission into different drive modes, likely done by a solenoid.
You probably need to lube up that mechanism.
I wonder If a stick on engine block warmer could be applied to the trans pan. Just for use in extreme conditions like this.I just talked to my mechanic friend Bill, who used a lifeline and called his trusty transmission shop. This shop does in-house rebuilds and really knows what they are doing. The trans shop said they have seen this many times in very cold conditions. It's a valve in the trans that sticks. Let the trans warm up and the problem will go away. So my guess that it was something in the shifter knob getting cold and sticking was wrong.
What to do about it? Nothing. They could replace the valve, but there is no point as this vehicle rarely sits outside. I left it sit in the garage last night (40F), no problem. In the future, I need to remember not to let it sit out in the cold or be willing to let it idle until the transmission warmer brings the temp up enough to unstick the valve.
Probably, but these transmissions are heated by engine coolant, so it's just a matter of letting it warm up for a while.I wonder If a stick on engine block warmer could be applied to the trans pan. Just for use in extreme conditions like this.
Wonder if a PAO-based trans fluid would extend the temperature range of that solenoid?I just talked to my mechanic friend Bill, who used a lifeline and called his trusty transmission shop. This shop does in-house rebuilds and really knows what they are doing. The trans shop said they have seen this many times in very cold conditions. It's a valve in the trans that sticks. Let the trans warm up and the problem will go away. So my guess that it was something in the shifter knob getting cold and sticking was wrong.
What to do about it? Nothing. They could replace the valve, but there is no point as this vehicle rarely sits outside. I left it sit in the garage last night (40F), no problem. In the future, I need to remember not to let it sit out in the cold or be willing to let it idle until the transmission warmer brings the temp up enough to unstick the valve.
Most transmissions with electronic shifters just have solenoids inside to control prnd and a bolt or cable to emergency release the parking pawl
But if the shifter works fine with the interior warmed and the transmission still cold, doesn't that point to your original diagnosis of it being something in the shifter assembly?I just talked to my mechanic friend Bill, who used a lifeline and called his trusty transmission shop. This shop does in-house rebuilds and really knows what they are doing. The trans shop said they have seen this many times in very cold conditions. It's a valve in the trans that sticks. Let the trans warm up and the problem will go away. So my guess that it was something in the shifter knob getting cold and sticking was wrong.
What to do about it? Nothing. They could replace the valve, but there is no point as this vehicle rarely sits outside. I left it sit in the garage last night (40F), no problem. In the future, I need to remember not to let it sit out in the cold or be willing to let it idle until the transmission warmer brings the temp up enough to unstick the valve.
No, because I did let it idle to warm the engine before shutting it off, this also warms the transmission through the hot coolant that gets pumped back to the trans.But if the shifter works fine with the interior warmed and the transmission still cold, doesn't that point to your original diagnosis of it being something in the shifter assembly?
But if the shifter works fine with the interior warmed and the transmission still cold, doesn't that point to your original diagnosis of it being something in the shifter assembly?
I think that is exactly what is going on. A trouble code is a starting point, not a definitive diagnosis.I realize the DTC says “service shifter” but what is the fault tree that leads to it? I am wondering if any discrepancy between shifter and trans status trips it, thus it could be either location.
Ahhh, OK, I had assumed that the engine wasn't run in this scenario, that it was just the sun heating the cabin.No, because I did let it idle to warm the engine before shutting it off, this also warms the transmission through the hot coolant that gets pumped back to the trans.
I could, but I hope to never get the opportunity again. The cold we've had here is a rarity and the Durango normally sits in a heated garage.Guess easiest way to test would be to use a space heater to heat the cabin, keeping the powertrain cold?
I have - https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...5-transmission-filter-change-pictures.371040/Have you ever replaced the pan on this 8HP45? Reason I ask is, I've heard of some aftermarket pans causing gear select issues under certain conditions. Not sure if something gets blocked internally with these pans or what it could be. That's one of the reasons I opted not to use the aluminum autotechnica pan on my Ram 1500 some time back.
If you have a solenoid getting weak this could be your first warning. The thing "should" be good down to arctic temperatures. They test cars in the arctic for this reason. That said, you might get it fixed when you definitely have to and not "maybe."I could, but I hope to never get the opportunity again. The cold we've had here is a rarity and the Durango normally sits in a heated garage.