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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

#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.
#1344 of 1833 Chrysler Voyager 1999 2,4 Transmission Problem by norwaybob May 29, 2007 (7:13 am)
I have a problem with my transmission, it only runs 2. gear (emergency program probaly) , at the same time as i lost the transmission control i also lost the info center in the roof an also the map light in the roof. I have checked all the fuses and relay,and they where all ok. Also checked for fault codes, but there is non.   Does anyone hva a idea how to solve this problem?   I will be very greatful   Many Thanks Norwaybob
#1345 of 1833 2002 Dodge GC tranny problems - limp mode by pvatki Jun 01, 2007 (4:47 pm)
I have a 1999 T & C with 155+k. I have maintained the tranny but not as often as I should. Never had any problems except to "retrain" it recently.    I just bought a 02 Dodge Grand Caravan with 83k and autostick. The engine light came on yesterday and limp mode engaged. I just took it to my mechanic today and he said the scan showed up a faulty TCM. I asked him to futher investigate as per past postings, ie. clean ground wires, loose harness. Is their anything else that he should check before investing big bucks on a tcm? Before this problem the tranny was shifting flawlessly. Also if it is the tcm, could I buy one from salvage and save $400? The man at salvage said these rarely go out so you should be okay with a used part. What do you think? Does the tcm or any other part need to me retrained or refreshed if we put a new or a used tcm in the van? If so, what kind of cost for this process? What else would cause the scan to show a faulty tcm? Thanks for your help. I love my vans and wouldn't trade them for a Honda or Toyota ever!
#1346 of 1833 1997 Grand Caravan still going by alexandra22773 Jun 08, 2007 (7:30 am)
So far so good with my transmission...I have 126K miles on it. I had to have the gaskets replaced in my transmission due to leaking, which was making my transmission "slip" into neutral...the gaskets were replaced, I had the transmission fluid flushed and filled, and so far no further problem.

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