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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

1833 messages,  Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 3:54 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Dodge Grand Caravan, Transmission, Van

#1287 of 1833 Re: 2005 Town and Country 3.8L Transmission fluid change?? [mudra] by shipo Mar 01, 2007 (7:49 am)
Replying to: mudra (Mar 01, 2007 7:37 am) Where'd they get the ATF+4 from?   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: 97xpresso (Mar 03, 2007 6:36 pm) shipo (Mar 03, 2007 7:38 pm)
#1288 of 1833 Re: Another hard down shifting problem [shipo] by captainibc Mar 01, 2007 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Feb 25, 2007 1:46 pm) Thanks so much for your advice on my fluid change problem. I did the disconnection of the battery overnight...that didn't work. Today I brought the van back to the guy who changed the fluid & filter. He called someone at Chrysler that he knew (as you suggested) and explained the problem. Chrysler said that the transmission needed to be re-programed with the "quick learn program" because the TCM sensed loss of pump pressure. I returned to Chrysler, had it re-programmed and all is well. Thanks so much for your help.   Captain IBC   PS...$52.99 (1/2 hour labor to do the program) Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 01, 2007 2:02 pm) john120561 (Mar 02, 2007 8:14 am) captainibc (Mar 02, 2007 5:18 pm)
#1289 of 1833 Re: Another hard down shifting problem [captainibc] by shipo Mar 01, 2007 (2:02 pm)
Replying to: captainibc (Mar 01, 2007 12:33 pm) Great, glad it all worked out.   Changing the transmission fluid (on our Caravans) is one of the very few things that I don't do myself for this very reason. I think my dealer charges just over $100 for the tranny service, TCM reprogramming included.   Best Regards, Shipo
#1290 of 1833 Re: Another hard down shifting problem [captainibc] by john120561 Mar 02, 2007 (8:14 am)
Replying to: captainibc (Mar 01, 2007 12:33 pm) Wow! I have been looking for the answer to this same situation in my Caravan tranny. Dealer said he can't feel any thing wrong. You described it perfectly. I have an appointment at the dealership to do what you had done. Thanks for taking the time to share your info. Dealers do not know everything, in fact, I think we know our cars better then they do at times; we drive them! Again thanks for the info.   ZZjohnie Replies to this message: captainibc (Mar 02, 2007 5:18 pm)
#1291 of 1833 Re: Another hard down shifting problem [john120561] by captainibc Mar 02, 2007 (5:18 pm)
Replying to: john120561 (Mar 02, 2007 8:14 am) I glad the information helped. I think we both owe the answer to Shippo. He lead me in the right direction! Good Luck!
#1292 of 1833 Re: 2005 Town and Country 3.8L Transmission fluid change?? [shipo] by 97xpresso Mar 03, 2007 (6:36 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Mar 01, 2007 7:49 am) Probably where I got mine... Walmart Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 03, 2007 7:38 pm)
#1293 of 1833 Re: 2005 Town and Country 3.8L Transmission fluid change?? [97xpresso] by shipo Mar 03, 2007 (7:38 pm)
Replying to: 97xpresso (Mar 03, 2007 6:36 pm)
#1294 of 1833 Re: 2003 Transmission Problems [superwoody] by superwoody Mar 03, 2007 (9:15 pm)
Replying to: superwoody (Feb 22, 2007 10:28 am) Well I got my van back from the shop, after another $100 deductible and a $500 part (tranny computer control module) I am still experiencing the same slipping/hard/funky shift from 1st to 2nd at low rpms. I notice it ALOT in parking lots or slow traffic at red lights when you are just putting around and it shifts at or around 1600-1800 rpms. I don't think the guys at the dealership are ****ing around with me, they have thrown parts at it every time I've had it in, even though it's under the 7/70 warranty still. The $100 deductible is getting old, they charge it every time it hits their shop floor even if it is for the same problem!! I even called Detroit to customer support just to make sure this was correct and of course it was. Because they are installing "different" parts to TRY and fix it, they consider that a different problem. I love my van, and the conveniences of it BUT this is getting old. It would already be gone if not for the beating I would get for it on trade in. I really wanted to hold out for 2-3 more years to get a 08' used, they are going to have the 180 degree swivel captains chairs in the middle row!!">
#1295 of 1833 Drastic change in gas economy by brucesheffer Mar 05, 2007 (9:00 pm)
99 Town and Country LE extended minivan. Last week I used to get 27 highway and 20 city. Then the transmission started slipping and I took it in for servicing. That resulted in a complete rebuild of the transmission. Now I'm only get 20 and 16. Of course the mechanics are saying that nothing is wrong. What could cause such a drastic change?   I sort of remember that when I bought it the dealer said that the car had two settings one for power and one for economy and I opted for the one for economy. I'm thinking that it was the TCM unit he was talking about, but I don't know.   The engine is a 3.8 high output engine with standard front wheel drive (not AWD).   Anyone have a clue what's going on?   Thanks in advance Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 06, 2007 5:00 am) brucesheffer (Mar 19, 2007 5:48 pm) bsanchez1 (Mar 20, 2007 11:17 am) and 1 more...
#1296 of 1833 Re: Drastic change in gas economy [brucesheffer] by shipo Mar 06, 2007 (5:00 am)
Replying to: brucesheffer (Mar 05, 2007 9:00 pm) Hmmm, I'm not sure where you're getting some of your information, however, I will make a few points, some will line up with what you've said, some won't:   1) I've never heard of a 3.8 liter Long Wheel Base (LWB) Gen3 van getting a consistent 27 mpg highway. Not saying it can't happen upon occasion, but consistently? I'm skeptical. 2) Mileage of 20 and 16 is a tad on the low side, unless we're talking very cold weather and E10 fuel. 3) I've never heard of such a thing as two power settings. Not saying that there aren't two settings, but until proven otherwise, I believe that's a bunch of bilge water. 4) A "3.8 high output engine"? High output compared to what? A 3.3 liter mill? Okay, I'll buy that. However, in the grand scheme of things, while these engines are fairly torque rich, their horsepower per liter output is WAY down the scale. Consider the following, the 3.8 liter engines in my 1998 and your 1999 produce 180 HP and 240 lb-ft of torque, while the smaller 3.0 liter engine of my most recent car produced 225 HP and 214 lb-ft of torque. See the difference? Had my cars' engine been the same displacement as our minivans, it would have put out 285 HP and 271 lb-ft of torque. 5) As for what's going on, hmmm, probably nothing. What with the cold weather we're having up here in New Hamster these days, our 1998 is getting about 20.5 mpg at a fairly consistent 73 mph on E10 fuel (i.e. 10% Ethanol). In the summer time, that same van will get nearly 23 mpg at that same 73 mph on the same fuel. If I slow down to 65, I can get a fairly consistent 26 on really hot days, once again on E10 fuel.   Sorry I couldn't be of more help.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: brucesheffer (Mar 19, 2007 5:48 pm) bsanchez1 (Mar 20, 2007 11:17 am) shipo (Mar 20, 2007 6:13 pm)

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