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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

#1749 of 1833 Dodge Caravan by tom166 Mar 09, 2009 (7:25 pm)
2007 transmission.....
#1750 of 1833 T&C jerks when downshifting by dwsqrd Mar 10, 2009 (9:54 pm)
We have had a 2002 T&C (with about 90,000 miles now) for a little over a year and have had no problems until this past January. The van has started jerking when it downshifts around 30mph. Every once in awhile, it will jerk when shifting up from a low gear, but that is pretty rare. The fluid level is good and have been putting off taking it to a shop b/c we fear we'll be told we need something done that we really don't. Has anyone experienced this transmission problem? Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 11, 2009 6:02 am) cr119 (Mar 23, 2009 4:06 pm) hugefire (Mar 26, 2009 8:04 pm)
#1751 of 1833 Re: which minivan to buy? [tootall5] by shipo Mar 11, 2009 (5:55 am)
Replying to: tootall5 (Mar 09, 2009 4:12 pm) Hmmm, our 2003 DGC (which we bought new) has been a model of reliability. So far, the total unscheduled repairs consist of a single ABS wheel sensor and a replacement clutch for the power door motor. Of course we only have 120,000 miles on it so far so it remains to be seen how well it will do once it gets fully broken in.   FWIW, our 1998 (which we also bought new) had 170,000 miles on it when we traded it in last fall, and while it did need a transmission at the 109,000 mile mark, it too was a model of reliability. Beyond the aforementioned transmission, it also needed a driver's door switch for $8.00, a starter for $120.00, a window regulator for $90.00, a new muffler and tail-pipe for $150 (no surprise there), two batteries for about $100 (one was partially warrantied by Sears), a set of rear shocks for $80.00 (the originals were still working at 150,000 miles, but dust shields had rusted away), and a couple of sets of headlight bulbs for about $50.00. Said another way, I spent a little under $3,300 in unscheduled repairs over 170,000 miles. Not too shabby in my book.   Best regards, Shipo
#1752 of 1833 Re: T&C jerks when downshifting [dwsqrd] by shipo Mar 11, 2009 (6:02 am)
Replying to: dwsqrd (Mar 10, 2009 9:54 pm) Have you ever had the transmission serviced?   I ask because even though the tranny fluid is supposed to be a "lifetime fill", you're getting to the point where you should have the pan dropped, the filter replaced, and the fluid topped off (about 4 quarts of ATF+4, and ONLY ATF+4). Whatever you do, DO NOT have the transmission "flushed", flushing has caused way more transmission failures than anything else this side of using the incorrect AFT (Dextron ATF and Mercon ATF will kill your transmission in short order) or towing a trailer up a mountain on a one-hundred degree day.   Best regards, Shipo
#1753 of 1833 Re: T&C jerks when downshifting [dwsqrd] by cr119 Mar 23, 2009 (4:06 pm)
Replying to: dwsqrd (Mar 10, 2009 9:54 pm) I have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan with 117,000 miles. It also has just started jerking just like you described. Does anyone have a solution?
#1754 of 1833 2003 Town and Country LXi transmission slipping by zoltt Mar 25, 2009 (4:10 pm)
Recently the transmission on my 2003 T&C would slip from 1st to 2nd gear. The van has 118,000 miles and never gave me any problems before. I took it to the dealer two days ago. The said there no codes but the line pressures (all 4) were over the recommended 40psi due to the clutch plates wearing and the gap between the plates increasing. They charged me $80 to "recalibrate the computer" which was supposed to bring all the pressures down and provide a "temporary" fix (3-12 months). Two days later the problem is worse and today it slipped from 2nd to 3rd. I think I will change the speed sensors this weekend. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks. Replies to this message: vcheng (Mar 26, 2009 3:54 am) shipo (Mar 26, 2009 10:00 am) zoltt (Mar 29, 2009 5:28 am) shipo (Mar 29, 2009 11:41 am) and 2 more...
#1755 of 1833 Re: 2003 Town and Country LXi transmission slipping [zoltt] by vcheng Mar 26, 2009 (3:54 am)
Replying to: zoltt (Mar 25, 2009 4:10 pm) What the the Clutch Volume Indices (CVI)? If they are out of range then the transmissions needs a rebuild and speed sensors are unlikely to help.
#1756 of 1833 Re: 2003 Town and Country LXi transmission slipping [zoltt] by shipo Mar 26, 2009 (10:00 am)
Replying to: zoltt (Mar 25, 2009 4:10 pm) I agree with vcheng, if the values are out of range, you're going to need a rebuild sooner than later.   Question: Do you do lots of urban cycle driving and/or towing? I ask because the values for our 2003 with over 120,000 miles on it are well within spec. That said, we've probably done at least 50% highway driving over the course of the nearly six years we've had the van.   Best regards, Shipo Replies to this message: zoltt (Mar 29, 2009 5:28 am) shipo (Mar 29, 2009 11:41 am) zoltt (Mar 30, 2009 8:06 am) and 1 more...
#1757 of 1833 Re: T&C jerks when downshifting [dwsqrd] by hugefire Mar 26, 2009 (8:04 pm)
Replying to: dwsqrd (Mar 10, 2009 9:54 pm) If you search this forum for the problem, you will see that it's not uncommon, and usually occurs after a transmission fluid change. For some reason, the Transmission Control Module (TCM) senses a loss of prime in the transmission and the problem shows up. I have an 03 T&C and it was doing the same thing, although it had been 6 months since I had the trans serviced. Took it to local AAMCO and they cleared a "battery disconnect" code and then reset the TCM and the problem was solved. I would take yours somewhere to have the TCM reset before trying anything else.
#1758 of 1833 Re: 2003 Town and Country LXi transmission slipping [shipo] by zoltt Mar 29, 2009 (5:28 am)
Replying to: shipo (Mar 26, 2009 10:00 am) Shipo,   We have never towed anything and it is all highway miles. My wife's commute is about 30 miles each way on the PA Turnpike and we have driven back and forth from Philadelphia to Southern FL at least 6 times. When I took it to the dealer, one of the pressures was close to 186 psi and the other ranged from 60-120psi. After the dealer "recalibrated the unit" they said the pressures were all at 39 psi, but within a day the problem was worse than ever. I dropped the van off at a Cottman transmission shop on Friday. They said no codes were showing up so they are going to drop the pan tomorrow (Monday) and call with the damage report.   Thanks for you help, Bryan Replies to this message: shipo (Mar 29, 2009 11:41 am) zoltt (Mar 30, 2009 8:06 am) shipo (Mar 30, 2009 7:28 pm)

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