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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

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

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#1334 of 1833 Re: 06 Transmission Quirks [twocycle2] by shipo May 07, 2007 (3:11 am)
Replying to: twocycle2 (May 06, 2007 10:54 am) As I understand it, there were a few software problems when the 41TE first came out, however, those were corrected within the first year or so. Under the same proviso "as I understand it", the vast majority of problems with these transmissions was due to the introduction of incorrect fluid. Folks would take their van to Jiffy Boob or where ever and wind up with a Dextron based transmission fluid in their tranny. These early 41TEs required ATF+3 transmission fluid (which was a semi-synthetic fluid), and as such, it has a different coefficient of friction. By introducing Dextron into the mix meant that the clutches wouldn't grip the way the computer was expecting them to grip, so the computer would cycle the clutch trying to get it to lock up properly. Unfortunately it would do that again and again and again, several times per second, until the transmission failed shortly thereafter.   Best Regards, Shipo Replies to this message: playtime (May 07, 2007 6:57 pm) shipo (May 08, 2007 2:27 am)
#1335 of 1833 Re: 06 Transmission Quirks [shipo] by playtime May 07, 2007 (6:57 pm)
Replying to: shipo (May 07, 2007 3:11 am) I have heard or been told the same as you about the fuild "but" I have been told and it does state in the owners manual "use only Chrysler approved or Chrysler transmission fuild only" and if you do not adhere to this statement in the owners manual you can be expected to pay for a new transmission. I know when a transmission is taken apart from looking at them myself what type of fuild has been used whether synthetic or regular fluid. There are reasons for using the man made trans fuild and that is in the winter time your fuild starts circulating almost instantly and with the old based fuild it takes time for it to warm up and same as an engine you end up with metal on metal surfaces touching along with a pump that runs empty for a few seconds and in some cases that just enough time to do damage to a transmission. Just like my 2005 T&C when I purchased it I asked about using a synthetic type of oil and was told it would be a waste of my money only to have Chrysler 3 months later advise all of its dealers to start using at least a semi-synthethic engine oil. At that time they stated it was to help with fuel milage only to later find out its because Chrysler has such a high problem of sludge in their engines mostly the 2.7 v-6 but that is another complete story for another place. Also I have heard that Chrysler had received some bad programed computor chips for some of their vehicals causing all types of problems but they were not the only company using the same type of chip with programed problems them being programed wrong. Cheers to all Replies to this message: shipo (May 08, 2007 2:27 am)
#1336 of 1833 Re: 06 Transmission Quirks [playtime] by shipo May 08, 2007 (2:27 am)
Replying to: playtime (May 07, 2007 6:57 pm) "I have heard or been told the same as you about the fluid "but" I have been told and it does state in the owners manual "use only Chrysler approved or Chrysler transmission fluid only" and if you do not adhere to this statement in the owners manual you can be expected to pay for a new transmission."   And yet here we are, some eighteen model years or so since the 41TE was released, and if you go to Jiffy Boob or Pep Boyz and have your tranny serviced, they will insist on using Dextron in combination with some kind of a magic elixir to make it okay to use in the 41TE. I guess it isn't at all surprising that there are still transmissions out there failing due to the incorrect fluid. Annoying.   As for why to use it the synthetic ATF+4, I don't believe that winter has anything to do with it. Automatic transmissions get HOT due to the constant shearing going on inside (primarily in the torque converter), and synthetic tranny fluid deals with the heat WAY better than semi-synthetic or conventional ATF. Oh, that an as of the 2000 model year virtually all Chrysler automatic transmissions were designed and built specifically for that fluid and its very specific coefficient of friction.   Regarding synthetic engine oil, well, I'm one of those that never bought the company line anyway. I converted our 1998 DGC Sport 3.8 to Mobil 1 (currently using 0W-40) at the second oil change, and I switched our 2003 DGC ES 3.8 over at the first. Warranty or no, I then went to 10,000 mile OCIs (supported by UOAs of course), and now, with a combined 230,000 miles on the two vans, their engines are as robust and spotlessly clean (on the inside anyway) as they were the day they left the factory.   Best Regards, Shipo
#1337 of 1833 2002 and having prob w/ trans... any suggestions? by rasilla24 May 08, 2007 (11:46 am)
We just bought this car (used w/ 26k miles - the smaller engine version) and as we drove it off the lot experienced transmission problems. Thankfully, the dealership has agreed to "find and correct" the problem. However, they have tried 2 times with no results. It is back in the shop (for a third try) and I was wondering if any of you have experienced similar problems and if you could help give a diagnosis. Our desperation for a working car is growing fast as I am expecting our second child in the next 6 weeks. Please help   Problem: It refuses to change gears (seems stuck in second) when accelerating/decelerating (most commonly in highway entrance ramps, but has also happened leaving the grocery store). When this happens all of the gear indicator lights have those boxes around them. This is sporadic - we did not notice it during the test drive when we purchased it.   The dealership has replaced "electrical control modules" - to no avail. Any ideas?
#1338 of 1833 Re: tranny issues [shipo] by rasilla24 May 08, 2007 (12:24 pm)
Replying to: shipo (Feb 08, 2007 4:37 am) Can you replay to my recent posting (its somewhere near the end) regarding my 2002 Voyager. You seem to have a balanced perspective and know a bit more than me. I'd appreciate it! Replies to this message: shipo (May 08, 2007 12:43 pm)
#1339 of 1833 Re: tranny issues [rasilla24] by shipo May 08, 2007 (12:43 pm)
Replying to: rasilla24 (May 08, 2007 12:24 pm) Hmmm, electronic gremlins. Yuck!   One of the problems with electronic problems (especially with a used car) is that you almost never know going in where the problem might lay. Was the van in an accident? Did the previous owner mess something up trying to add a modification? Is there a bad wiring harness? Is the Transmission Control Module (TCM) somehow hammered (apparently not as it is an odds-on bet that that was the first thing your dealer replaced)? Is the power supply to the TCM clean? Are all of the sensors inside the transmission, and the sensors that report on engine operation, throttle position, vehicle speed, gear selection and a whole host of other conditions, reporting the proper metrics?   At this point, were I in your shoes I'd be losing confidence quite quickly in your dealer and be looking to reverse the transaction. Said another way, it's time to start asking for your money back, possibly with the help of a lawyer.   Best Regards, Shipo
#1340 of 1833 Tranny issues! by playtime May 15, 2007 (7:36 am)
I might have missed it some where in the forum under transmissions but I will comment anyway just in case. If your having any type of engine problems "such as rough idling - hard starting engine - engine lacking power compared as compared to previously engine running good" can also effect the transmissions operation. If the engine is lacking power for instance the transmission will try to make up for this by shifting at different speeds - down shifting rougher etc. The reason being is the computor thinks the engine is working harder and the computor will send signals to the trans letting it know it needs to shift for power now. Example I am sure everyone has noticed if you have a full loaded van the engine has to work harder to get the van up to speed well the transmission works differently by later shifting and down shifting to a gear meant for power sooner. Point being if the engine needs a tune up this also can effect the transmissions operation just like towing a trailer does. This is why some vehicals had a switch "like General Motors Vehicals-some of them" that you while towing there is a switch to engage the that changes the shift points to give the engine a helping hand under a load. Do not always assume your transmission is at fault when it could also be an engine issue even a bad tank of fuel can cause systems that will cause the computor to retard or advance the timing. Good example would be to pull a spark plug wire off and then try driving your van this would give you a great idea of what the engines performance has on the transmissions operation "but do not pull a spark plug wire off I was just using this as an example thats all". If your engine has a vacuum leak it can also cause the engine and transmission to operate some what differently under some conditions. So lets not forget that things also need to be checked in some cases with how the engine is operating also such as over heating. You should even notice a change in the operation of the transmission while using the ac because of the amount of horse power the compressor needs to operated. I hope this helps those that are having both transmission and engine problems so that you do not right away assume its the transmission - when it might be the engine having a negative effect on the trans. Cheers to all-Jack playtime
#1341 of 1833 99 Plymouth Grand Voyager by beanandsean May 16, 2007 (5:26 am)
Hello. I am a new poster, so bear with me. I've read MANY of the 1300+ posts in this discussion hoping to find an answer to my question, but am more confused than ever. Most everyone has a shifting problem, which isn't really rellevent, per se. We had a new/rebuilt transmission installed two years and 40,000 miles ago at 100,000 miles. For a couple of months we have had a slow leak of tranny fluid, for which we've added a little bit here and there, but have had no problems otherwise. Then two days ago I checked the fluid and found it was a bit low again, so I added fluid, drove about 15 miles and stopped at the in-laws and turned off the engine. I was only sitting there about five minutes, so I was suprised to see drips on the cement as I pulled away. I got out, left the engine running, and called my husband to get his input. As I was talking, I leaned down to have another look and to my horror, fluid was not just dripping, but there was a steady stream! I then drove it to the nearest auto shop (without any shifting problems, though I didn't drive very fast). He says one seal is gone and the other is leaking for no apparent reason and I have to take it to a transmission place and have the tranny rebuilt AGAIN. I just have a hard time believing that there isn't a simpler fix for the leak than another rebuild. Anyone out there had any such experience? Oh, and I was particularly interested in Shipo's theory about the ATF+4, as that is the fluid I added just before my seal disappeared! We have four little ones, and as work is all but non-existent in Northern Michigan, $2500 or more is hopefully not our only option! Replies to this message: 97xpresso (May 16, 2007 4:01 pm)
#1342 of 1833 Re: 99 Plymouth Grand Voyager [beanandsean] by 97xpresso May 16, 2007 (4:01 pm)
Replying to: beanandsean (May 16, 2007 5:26 am) A leaking seal(s) does not mean you need a rebuilt trans. Some seal replacement requires that the transmission be removed from vehicle, which isn't cheap. You did mention that it works fine, other than the leak. Where was it rebuilt the 1st time? Don't drive it with low fluid or you will need a new transmission.
#1343 of 1833 Re: '99 Plymouth Voyager Transmission [pvowner] by disneyfann May 22, 2007 (8:01 pm)
Replying to: pvowner (Jun 07, 2005 1:44 pm) In modern cars almost everything interacts with the computer. Your service engine light could be on for a number of reasons, from transmission problems to an automatic reminder that the EGR valve needs servicing. The failure to upshift into O/D coupled with the hard downshift when stopping sounds like a bad engine sensor or a vacuum line to the sensor that has come loose or started leaking. Specifically, a sensor that determines engine manifold vacuum and sends that data to the computer telling it how much load the engine is under. The computer uses that information to determine if and when the transmission needs to shift into a higher or lower gear. I would start by checking all the vacuum hoses, and then looking for loose connections on the wiring harness to all the engine sensors. The fact that the transmission was fine until the light came on means in most cases that the problem is engine or sensor related, and not necessarily a tranny problem. Beware of transmission shops that want you to spend big bucks to "analyze" the problem by taking apart the tranny. Once it is apart, they have you by the short hairs. Most of the time you can find another shop that will actually provide you a rebuilt tranny installed for the price of the first shop's "analysis" fee. But check all the other possibilities before blaming the transmission.

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