Q: Transmission temperature indicator light randomly comes on and off but transmission is fine.

asked by on August 30, 2016

I'm not leaking any trans fluid and fluid color is red and I'm not having any problems with shifting or overheating just the light comes on and off its annoying and worry some.

My car has 65 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Warning Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 2005 Dodge Dakota. You may have a defective transmission temperature sensor in the transmission pan that needs to be replaced. This is a common problem that can trigger the transmission temperature indicator light to come on. If you need any help having this checked, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the temperature indicator light in person and let you know what should be done.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Driver's side window not going up or down.
The Toyota Solara uses a cable type window regulator. As these regulators wear out the will often times move slower and have crunching type noises before they fail. Another possibility is the window motor itself. My advice is to have...
New battery but not starting
Hello. If your car won't turn over after replacing the parts you have listed, this could mean that the timing belt is broken. For your engine, when the timing belt breaks the motor is not "in time" and can not...
Back brake clamped afteer releasing the E-brake
The first thing you want to do if you feel it jerking like that is quickly jack up the wheel and pull off the tires and see if they are sticking. If they are sticking, a lot of times, the...
Brake pedal hit the floor. Very hard to stop car.
First thing is you do not have any brakes and should not attempt to drive the vehicle until the brakes are repaired. The brake pedal is going to the floor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pedal-is-lower-than-usual-inspection) due to a major brake fluid leak from the...
Coolant sprays out of resevoir when turning engine over
Hi there. Unfortunately, coolant spraying out of the coolant reservoir while turning over the engine is an indication of a blown head gasket. Typically, this does not happen unless the engine has been severely overheated. This should be confirmed by...
My ignition is jammed and my key won't turn
Hi there. What you're describing is commonly associated with a broken ignition lock cylinder. The ignition lock assembly is a tumbler and key mechanism that is used to trigger power supply to auxiliary components and engage the starter motor to...
Stalling vehicle when vdc and slip light comes on
Hi there. I've seen this same concern during my tenure as a Nissan service manager. What usually happens is the wire harness to those sensors becomes brittle and loose. When this happens, it does need to be replaced/repaired. The odds...
What happens if you put ow520 oil in a 2011 Chrysler 200?
Hi there- you will likely not notice any difference at all, and it is unlikely to cause any engine damage. The "0" (vs 5) rating has to do with the fluidity of the oil when it is coldest. It will...
I have a dodge nitro 2011 , which gas should I use 95 or 91 octane? 2011 Dodge Nitro
Hi there - based on the Owners Manual (Pg. 351-353), the 3.7 L engine requires 87 octane, and the 4.0 L engine requires 89 octane. The manual also cautions against using higher octane fuel than required, as this provides no...

Related articles

3 Essential Things to Know About Your Car’s Gear Shifter
The The gear shifter allows the vehicle to be put into different gears on a manual transmission. In an automatic transmission, the gear shifter is known as a gear selector. The gear shifter is normally located between the two front...
Is it Safe to Drive With a Fever?
A A fever is considered a higher than normal body temperature. A fever can be caused by viruses, bacteria, drugs, toxins, or fungi. Normally a fever comes with other symptoms depending on the type of illness that causes the fever....
What Does the Trailer Tow Hitch Warning Light Mean?
The trailer tow hitch light is designed to warn you when there is an issue with your car's tow hitch, possibly that it is unlocked.