- #1518 of 1833
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Chrysler Minivan Transmissions
by chdabren
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Nov 27, 2007 (3:16 pm)
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I've just spent some time reading some of the posts from 7 years ago about the "fabled Chrysler tranny curse". I'm a Chrysler Master tech of over 20 yrs and I can tell u this. It's late 2007 now and Chrysler has done amazing things with their trannys over the years to make them stronger, more durable and reliable. They've done EXCEPTIONALLY well!!! But...let me bottom line it for you as well. If you own a 2000 or newer Caravan or T&C (Voyager having been discontinued) and you don't take proper care of your transmission (regular and proper flushes) keeping in mind also that the filters don't need to be changed anymore unless you, the consumer, request it, your transmission is not longed for this world or any other. As I saw stated before, you must maintain tranny's properly and THINK about what u're towing with these vehicles. They're NOT designed to tow more than 2,000 lbs. so please don't tow the family boat that weighs 3,500 lbs or a camper. Tow only a maximum of 2,000 lbs., keep up on your tranny flushes (every 30k miles). Don't xpect your vehicle to do something it's not designed to do and then when you've ignored that advise, don't go blaming Chrysler for the tranny blowing out when you've clearly abused it. I wouldn't fix it for free if I was Chrysler, knowing full well you abused it. It's not their fault u overloaded it. You wanna tow something heavy or large? Buy a truck!!
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- #1519 of 1833
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Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions [chdabren]
by shipo
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Nov 27, 2007 (5:59 pm)
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Replying to: chdabren (Nov 27, 2007 3:16 pm)
If you own a 2000 or newer Caravan or T&C (Voyager having been discontinued) and you don't take proper care of your transmission (regular and proper flushes) keeping in mind also that the filters don't need to be changed anymore unless you, the consumer, request it, your transmission is not longed for this world or any other...
...keep up on your tranny flushes (every 30k miles). Don't xpect your vehicle to do something it's not designed to do and then when you've ignored that advise, don't go blaming Chrysler for the tranny blowing out when you've clearly abused it.
Interesting advice. Per the manual for our 2003 DGC ES, a manual written by Chrysler that recommends (among other things) the proper care and feeding of our van; the transmission fluid NEVER needs to be changed. I'm quite happy to say that I've adhered to that rigorous maintenance schedule on our 2003 and so far at least, the transmission seems to be quite happy, of course it only has 102,000 miles on it so there's still plenty of time yet for it to go Tango Uniform. 
Best Regards,
Shipo
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- #1520 of 1833
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Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions [chdabren]
by brokenspoke
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Nov 27, 2007 (6:12 pm)
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Replying to: chdabren (Nov 27, 2007 3:16 pm)
Hmmm, what was that all about? who said anything about towing? FYI for all you chrysler techs out there, have you heard about the towing prep pkg you can tow 3600 LB. thats not abuse. 
Best regaurds
Brokenspoke
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- #1521 of 1833
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Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions [brokenspoke]
by ondaman
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Nov 27, 2007 (10:17 pm)
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Replying to: brokenspoke (Nov 27, 2007 6:12 pm)
Looks like this forum is infiltrated with folks on Chrysler payroll  I had thought of buying a 2008 T&C for 4 months, but decided to go for another minivan. I remember being offered a 1k to 2k loyalty rebate from a local dealer but two Chrysler vans that broken down on me and family just left too many bad memories. No towing, no speeding tics, no abuse whatsoever... tranny fluid maintenance every 2 yrs. Driven less than 8k/yr... well-maintained 96 and 98 vans. I also had about a dozen relatives, friends, and co-workers who opted to stay away from this brand even with the very tempting Lifetime Powertrain Warranty.
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- #1522 of 1833
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Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions [chdabren]
by issy
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Nov 28, 2007 (4:23 am)
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Replying to: chdabren (Nov 27, 2007 3:16 pm)
No towing expected with this van. It's a family van and the only thing towed is the family. Taking van for 2nd opinion on the trans today. Let's see what they come up with this time? Hopefully the 3rd time is the charm. You would think since Chrysler/Dodge was the 1st automaker with a mini van they would have fixed everything by now. American made cars are into quantity instead of quality, they should reconsider their priorities.
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- #1523 of 1833
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Re: Chrysler Minivan Transmissions [brokenspoke]
by chdabren
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Nov 28, 2007 (3:42 pm)
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Replying to: brokenspoke (Nov 27, 2007 6:12 pm)
Hmmm......let me reiterate that I would NEVER tow more than a say a yard trailer or anything else weighing 2k lbs or more since I've had these 41TE trannys apart for one reason or another and EVERY time (no exceptions) I've done this, the vehicle has had a Class 2 (up to 5,000 lbs.) hitch on it. It's pretty bad when the reciever on your minivan has a 7 pin connector on it. Whether u use the 7 pin or not makes no difference. A 7 pin connector provides for use of a trailer with electric brakes. These type trailers are WAY TOO HEAVY for a minivan to be towing. Anything with electric brakes is going to weigh in excess of 7,000 lbs.. That is just plain ridiculous to ask a minivan to do. It's sorta like TELLING you that u're gonna bench press 700 lbs . or die trying. I don't care what Chyrsler tells you is ok to tow with a minivan...having seen what some of these trannys are expected to do...my advise is...don't tow anything weighing more than 2,000 lbs.. It's just friendly advise...do with it as u wish. Good luck!
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- #1524 of 1833
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Re: Dodge Caravan 2001 in limp mode [izzy5]
by chdabren
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Nov 28, 2007 (3:51 pm)
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Replying to: izzy5 (Nov 11, 2007 9:36 am)
The TCM (transmission control module) is in one of two locations. One.....mounted to the passenger side front fender well, under the hood. Easy access. The other place it will be (if not under the hood) is inside the drivers front fender well. You'll need to remove part of the fender well to access it. Now...keep in mind that even if you change the module yourself....you WILL need to do 2 things that ONLY your dealer (or someone with a scan tool with the correct software) can do...you're going to need to program in a "pinion factor" so your speedometer will work. You'll also need to "quicklearn" the module so it will know it's shift points. The "quicklearn" normally is done at operating temp. All you need to do is let the vehicle run (no driving required) until the trans fluid is about 100 degrees. If you don't do these 2 things, the tranny WILL have a hard downshift from 2nd to 1st and your speedometer won't work cause the module has no clue what tire size you're running. Again...if you don't perform those two tasks, setting the pinion factor and the quicklearn, you will have no speedometer and your tranny will have a hard 2nd to 1st downshift.
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- #1525 of 1833
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Re: Issy [issy]
by chdabren
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Nov 28, 2007 (3:56 pm)
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Replying to: issy (Nov 16, 2007 6:04 am)
wow....."nothing wrong...yea right"......I guess YOU have never made a mistake or "missed" anything in your life......yea right. Have patience on this stuff. Sometimes internal problems are not that easy to find. They can be intermittent at times. I understand your frustration but really.....take it easy. You make mistakes too, don't forget. Or do you?......yea right.
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- #1526 of 1833
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Re: Issy [issy]
by chdabren
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Nov 28, 2007 (4:02 pm)
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Replying to: issy (Nov 19, 2007 5:44 am)
You have the 3 year/36K mile bumper to bumper warranty....period!! You also, unless you are using your vehicle as a fleet (business) vehicle, have a 7 year, 70k mile powertrain warranty. Please don't confuse these two. Also keep in mind that ANY dealer can and will sell you a GOOD aftermarket warranty of varying levels ( you choose the level of protection you want) for very reasonable prices. Think of it as buying an "insurance policy" for your powertrain. But remember......nothing beats good old fashioned PROPER maintenance. I have an '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 that I off road often in AND tow my boat (19' ski boat) and I've NEVER had a problem with ANYTHING on it since new and it now has 42k on it. I'm tickled with it!! Anyway.....just food for thought....good luck.
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- #1527 of 1833
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Re: Issy [shipo]
by chdabren
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Nov 28, 2007 (4:39 pm)
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Replying to: shipo (Nov 19, 2007 5:46 am)
Hey shipo.....no one lied to anyone about a "lifetime warranty" so please don't say things like that. Up until model year 2008 the lifetime warranty has not been available, factory or aftermarket. The best aftermarket warranty has been "maximum care" which covers ALMOST everything but does NOT last a lifetime. Model year 2008 now offers lifetime warranty but that is "limited powertrain" and doesn't cover things like switches and what not. It is limited to engine bearings, rings, that sort of thing and it also covers transmission issues....again...limited. Let me say this as politely as I can.....if you're not absolutely 100% positive about warranty information...please don't tell other people that a dealership has lied to them. You may not even be getting HONEST information from the people who THINK they were screwed. Remember...there are always 2 sides to every story. Let's face....customers don't always tell the whole truth....especially if they think something they did cause a failure that they don't think would be fixed for free if they told the truth. Believe me, I've seen many problems arise from plain and simple abuse and there is no way a customer is gonna tell the complete truth about everything if they think they'll get a free fix under warranty if they say "I don't know what happened, it made a "noise" and quit". Come on......I've seen it all!! Please don't tell someone they got lied to when you can't prove it.
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