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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

#1315 of 1833 Re: Another Tranny Problem... [linkc] by 97xpresso Mar 19, 2007 (10:42 am)
Replying to: linkc (Mar 18, 2007 8:53 am) Was that the(95,000 miles)first time you trans was serviced? Good luck with your '05. I wpould change the transmission fluid every 30K with ATF+4 only.
#1316 of 1833 Re: Drastic change in gas economy [shipo] by brucesheffer Mar 19, 2007 (5:48 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Mar 06, 2007 5:00 am) Thanks for the reply. I'm sure it was 3.3 liter engine, not 3.8. It was the high output option I chose 10 years ago. I'm just telling what I THINK I remember - hoping that someone will say, "Oh, yeah you need to do X!" I agree that the 16/20 mileage is low especially since the week before I was getting 20/27 when the tranny was still messed up. So you think it is a factor of the outside temperature?   The only other hypothesis I had was that the tranny configuration had changed in the docs since I bought the car. They brought it to the new spec, which wasn't the most efficient based on the prior settings in the transmission computer module. Thus bad mileage, which would point to a need for a software updated.   Just fishing. Replies to this message: bsanchez1 (Mar 20, 2007 11:17 am) shipo (Mar 20, 2007 6:13 pm)
#1317 of 1833 Re: Chrysler Transmissions by bsanchez1 Mar 20, 2007 (11:17 am)
Replying to: brucesheffer (Mar 19, 2007 5:48 pm) My family has been through 2 Transmissions and 1 rebuild (easy driving) within the last 120,000 miles with our 1997 Chrysler Town & Country. From what I read the problems seem to continue.   A website I found with some information about premature Dodge/Chrysler Transmission failures that seem to continue unbelieveably even with newer Dodge's and Chrysler's   I have had too many problems with the Chrysler and Dodge vehicles I've owned and don't think I'll ever be buying another Chrysler vehicle again. Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 20, 2007 6:13 pm)
#1318 of 1833 Re: Chrysler Transmissions [bsanchez1] by shipo Mar 20, 2007 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: bsanchez1 (Mar 20, 2007 11:17 am) Claiming that the problems are all Chryslers fault is convenient, however, I suspect more than a bit disingenuous. There are just too many of these transmissions that make it up into the one hundred thousand (and even the two hundred thousand) range without failing for at least some of the blame for your three failures to fall on your shoulders.   As for why your transmissions have failed, well, the only one(s) that I would trust are ones sourced from Chrysler directly. Third party rebuilders and remanufacturers are highly suspect at best. Some questions to ask:    - Did you make sure to have the transmission fluid and filter replaced by the dealership every thirty thousand miles? If you didn't, either because you simply didn't have the service performed or you had the service performed by a non-dealer, then kiss your tranny goodbye.  - When driving in heavy bumper to bumper traffic, or moderate "speed-up/slow-down" traffic, did you shift your transmission into 3rd (as recommended by the Owner's Manual)? If you didn't, you've shortened your transmission life.  - Did you and those that drove your van make it a habit to come to a complete stop before shifting from "R" to "D" (or the other way around)? If you didn't, kiss your tranny goodbye once again.   The fact of the matter is that these transmissions will last a good long time if properly cared for.   Best Regards, Shipo
#1319 of 1833 95 Dodge Caravan AT problem by tpfitz07 Mar 21, 2007 (2:07 am)
I have a 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.3L engine. The engine has nearly 300,000 miles on it. Last night, I lost complete use of every gear in the automatic transmission except "L" gear. Needless to say, I had a longer than expected drive home. In your opinion, is the transmission seen its last day? Or, could I have someone possibly repair it? The van is worth maybe $750 at this point. Thanks for the advice. Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 23, 2007 7:01 pm)
#1320 of 1833 Re: 95 Dodge Caravan AT problem [tpfitz07] by shipo Mar 23, 2007 (7:01 pm)
Replying to: tpfitz07 (Mar 21, 2007 2:07 am) Hmmm, tough call. At 300,000 miles the van certainly doesn't owe you anything, that said, if the rest of the vehicle is in good shape putting a rebuilt tranny in it might be less expensive than buying another car of similar capabilities.   Best Regards, Shipo
#1321 of 1833 2007 Grand Caravan SXT Rough Shift by manipulators Mar 27, 2007 (7:31 am)
My 2007 Grand Caravan SXT has a rough downshift just as you are about to stop, 3-5 mph. Also sometimes there is a rough upshift around 8-10 mph, especially on an incline.   Dealer says no service bulletins or computer codes.   Anyone else having these issues? Replies to this message: tmanhardt (Apr 19, 2007 8:02 am) tmanhardt (Apr 25, 2007 10:08 am) winston861 (Apr 25, 2007 12:43 pm)
#1322 of 1833 Tough call.... by fezo Mar 30, 2007 (5:26 pm)
I'm with Shipo on that. Normally at 300K I'd consider it done but heck, you've had the van for a long time and if you're confident it has even another 59K in it with a new tranny it's loads cheaper than another van!   Of course I replaced an Ody after 118K so what do I know?
#1323 of 1833 2000 Voyager transmission issue by brent10 Apr 08, 2007 (7:47 am)
I have a 2000 voyager with approx 140,000 miles, with really no problems up until now. This vehicle is a daily driver mostly highway and service on a regular basis. I left the van at the airport for a week and the weather was very cold. After starting the van I noticed there was a slipping problem for a few minutes, I really did not allow time for van to warm up. After a few minutes and driving around the airport a couple of times had no problems on the 80 mile trip home. Has anyone been thru this before and it is the beginning of a failure and are there any short term fixes, I can't really afford a new transmission in this vehicle. Thanks for you help in advance Replies to this message: masterpaul1 (Apr 09, 2007 3:44 pm)
#1324 of 1833 Re: 2000 Voyager transmission issue [brent10] by masterpaul1 Apr 09, 2007 (3:44 pm)
Replying to: brent10 (Apr 08, 2007 7:47 am) A week outside in cold weather, with out being started, is a long time. What you discribed sounds normal, after a long sleep outside in cold weather. Allow the van to run for a few minutes to allow all of the moving parts and fluid to circulate through the engine and trans. before driving. We have an 01 DGC EX and It sat in the garage in cold weather for a few days. The van started, but not as fast as it would after sitting for a day. I also, noticed it was running a little rough at start up. I let it idle for a few minutes and no problems.

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