2014 Dodge Durango won't shift at -15F, says "service shifter"

[wwillson]

It was 9°F this morning and the transmission shifted without any problems.

 

[BrendanC]

Time for some Red Line tranny fluid. Has worked great on my vehicles that see extreme cold soak from time to time.

he already has HPL low viscosity in it.

 

[sloinker]

he already has HPL low viscosity in it.

Wonder how similar these products are? May come down to price. The Red Line has an SDS and product data sheet to peruse but not finding that with the HPL. Kind of hard to do any comparisons. My '14 minivan is getting close to its second fluid/filter maintenance @90kmiles. I used the Red Line before and may use it again unless I see something to change my mind. The HPL is a contender along with the cheapest ATF4 I suppose. I am pretty fickle I suppose but do like to support the boys in Benicia.

 

[BrendanC]

Wonder how similar these products are? May come down to price.

likely similar, i don't think a user could go wrong either way.

 

[KrisZ]

This is a sticky solenoid issue, why would one brand or even type of ATF make a difference over another?

 

[sloinker]

This is a sticky solenoid issue, why would one brand or even type of ATF make a difference over another?

I may be wrong but since ATF4 is a synthetic of unknown ingredients in many forms it probably wouldn't matter unless Red Line uses a different PAO/POE package in comparison. One that possibly cleans better and thus keeps varnish or sludge from impacting SOV's.

 

[KrisZ]

I may be wrong but since ATF4 is a synthetic of unknown ingredients in many forms it probably wouldn't matter unless Red Line uses a different PAO/POE package in comparison. One that possibly cleans better and thus keeps varnish or sludge from impacting SOV's.

It's an automatic transmission, It's almost a 100% certainty that there is no varnish or sludge there.

 

[wwillson]

It's an automatic transmission, It's almost a 100% certainty that there is no varnish or sludge there.

There is no sludge in this trans:

 

[BrendanC]

I may be wrong but since ATF4 is a synthetic of unknown ingredients in many forms it probably wouldn't matter unless Red Line uses a different PAO/POE package in comparison. One that possibly cleans better and thus keeps varnish or sludge from impacting SOV's.

OP has also done drain and fills every 20 or 30k. there definitely isnt a sludge issue.

 

[KrisZ]

OP has also done drain and fills every 20 or 30k. there definitely isnt a sludge issue.

Even on a neglected unit there is no varnish or sludge, as hard carbon deposits. That is a phenomenon found in engine oil.
Automatic transmission "sludge" is from the clutch material and metal particles from the gears. It is those hard particles that can score solenoid pistons, other precision surfaces or damage seals. Once that is done, cleaning the deposits will not improve anything and in fact may uncover the issues much sooner.

 

[BrendanC]

Even on a neglected unit there is no varnish or sludge, as hard carbon deposits. That is a phenomenon found in engine oil.
Automatic transmission "sludge" is from the clutch material and metal particles from the gears. It is those hard particles that can score solenoid pistons or damage seals. Once that is done, cleaning the deposits will not improve anything and in fact may uncover the issues much sooner.

i understand well, was trying to get it across to the other guy that there arent 'sludge' (deposit issues)

 

[sloinker]

There is no sludge in this trans:

View attachment 198954

It puzzles me why a specific SOV becomes non functional under cold soak extremes while others perform as they should. It also appears that this is a common problem for the 62TE?. I have this transmission in a '14 GC. It has been subjected to cold soak numerous times and hasn't exhibited the same failure type, Knock On Wood. I went from factory fill to Red Line C+ ATF around 40K miles. I am not saying the OP hasn't done thorough and timely maintenance. I have a sample size of 1. The conversion to the lite transmission fluid may have been too late to counter any varnishing issues within the valve itself. Don't know. How many miles since the conversion? I am an interested consumer on this issue. Since varnish can occur with temperature I wouldn't discount it out of hand.

 

[sloinker]

I am not an automatic transmission specialist. I have an acquaintance that works for ATS. Maybe I should pick his brain. I do know he is a major proponent for the use of Lube-Gard ester.

 

[KrisZ]

It puzzles me why a specific SOV becomes non functional under cold soak extremes while others perform as they should. It also appears that this is a common problem for the 62TE?. I have this transmission in a '14 GC. It has been subjected to cold soak numerous times and hasn't exhibited the same failure type, Knock On Wood. I went from factory fill to Red Line C+ ATF around 40K miles. I am not saying the OP hasn't done thorough and timely maintenance. I have a sample size of 1. The conversion to the lite transmission fluid may have been too late to counter any varnishing issues within the valve itself. Don't know. How many miles since the conversion? I am an interested consumer on this issue. Since varnish can occur with temperature I wouldn't discount it out of hand.

You do not have the same transmission. OPs transmission is an 8 speed ZF unit.

 

[sloinker]

Ooops! My mistake. Carry on!