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Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

2067 messages,  Last post on May 12, 2013 at 11:00 AM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Dodge Grand Caravan, Transmission, Van


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Messages Page 189 of 208

#1872 of 2067 Re: Transmission question..... [shipo] by chuckls68

Feb 12, 2010 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 11, 2010 7:21 pm)
1998 Dodge Caravan Sport. Purchased used in September of 2008 from a dealer. They had just done a flush of the tranny. Since then, I have had it flushed twice to keep the fluid fresh. I did a lot of highway driving and pulling the boat no more than 60 miles one way. I was told that this vehicle would be just fine for pulling a boat of the size I have. I wish I would have done my own in-depth homework before buying the vehicle. My next vehicle will be a Suburban, Yukon or Expedition. I had a 2000 Expedition that I never should have gotten rid of.
 
I realize that you can have problems with any vehicle...new or used, but with my fiancee having a mid 1990's Caravan that went through 2 transmissions before I met her, we both vowed to never go with another Dodger/Chrysler product. I just hope that this van now makes it until fall when I hope to be able to afford my larger SUV.

#1873 of 2067 Re: Transmission question..... [chuckls68] by shipo

Feb 12, 2010 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: chuckls68 (Feb 12, 2010 12:28 pm)
A couple of points:
 
 1) "Flushing" most automatic transmissions is generally considered both a bad idea and a way for a service center to empty your wallet. Why? Because your transmission wasn't designed to have the fluid run through it in reverse and because more often than not, the fluid that ends up in your transmission is worse than what you had in it to begin with.
 
 2) More often than not, Gen 2 and Gen 3 41TE transmissions have failed due to either the incorrect fluid being put into the transmission and/or the transmission being flushed. Bear in mind that the ONLY fluid that should be put in the 41TE is Mopar ATF+4 (or its predecessor ATF+3). If any other transmission fluid, be it Dextron. Mercon, Amsoil, Pennzoil Universal (I've heard rumors that Pennzoil does sell a Mopar approved ATF+4 which is acceptable), then you are almost assured of a transmission failure.
 
As for your towing, some vans had the "Towing Package"; most did not. If you're driving a van without the package and your boat is heavier than what is outlined in the Owner's Manual, once again, you are highly likely to experience a failed transmission.
 
Best regards,
Shipo

#1874 of 2067 I hate my Van by misticdawn

Feb 12, 2010 (7:25 pm)

I bought a 97 Plymouth voyager less then a month ago it was running fine and I had no problems with it but today the van started to squeel and jerk. I pulled over at a shop on the side of the road and the man there told me that the transmission has no codes in front pump and has internal failer. but he told me to rebuild the transmission will cost me about $2,150.. I dont believe that this will help with every one here saying that they have tried this and still transmission failer later.
 
My question is can i put a transmission in the van out of a different make and modle of van? and if i can what would be the best kind to try?

#1875 of 2067 Re: I hate my Van [misticdawn] by shipo

Feb 13, 2010 (7:31 am)

Replying to: misticdawn (Feb 12, 2010 7:25 pm)
'My question is can i put a transmission in the van out of a different make and modle of van? and if i can what would be the best kind to try?'
 
Yes, you can put a transmission in from either a Chrysler Town & Country or a Dodge Caravan.
 
Sorry, the Devil made me say that.
 
Long story short, your best bet would be to put in a remanufactured transmission as opposed to having yours rebuilt. Remanufactured transmissions can be had for about the price you're being quoted for the work on yours and come with the additional benefits of a 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty and of having certain updates that will effectively match the latest engineering build of the Gen 3 transmission, which by the way was from 2000. While you're at it, you might consider adding a transmission cooler into the mix.
 
Once you get the new tranny in, perform a pan drop, filter change and oil top-off every 30,000 miles. If you do this the transmission will most likely last the rest of the life of your van.
 
Care and feeding guidelines for your new transmission:
 - Do not under any circumstances have the transmission "flushed". Flushing is a bad idea for most transmissions and especially bad for the 41TE.
 - Buy your transmission filters from a dealership. I've heard of entirely too many trannys failing because of cheap aftermarket filters.
 - Buy MOPAR approved ATF+4 transmission oil. Said another way, the various "Universal ATFs" or Dextron, or Mercon are NOT acceptable for these transmissions. Using anything other than ATF+4 will most likely result in a transmission failure in the not too distant future.
 - Do NOT use any transmission additives regardless of what is written on the packaging.

#1876 of 2067 96 T&C Shudders by megramsey

Feb 16, 2010 (6:11 pm)

We put a rebuilt tranny in the van in July. We replaced the ECM the alternator etc.. The tranny still acts up at times and it shudders when you go uo an incline or if you are stopped and then go. It does not do it all the time, but it is frustrating since we have replaced so much. Also sometimes when you go to put it in gear the computer shows it eitther not in gear or the wrong gear. Could these problems be cause by the computer that controls the transmission?

#1877 of 2067 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan ES by minivan4ever

Feb 17, 2010 (7:55 pm)

I own 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan ES. I love the car. I changed engine oil on time as well as transmission every 30.000 miles. Right now i have 88.000 miles on it. A week ago while I drove my car on hwy the engine light popped out. Checked the codes. I had 2 of them 700 and 740. I replaced the tranny selenoid, cleared the codes. After driving for app.40 miles the same codes came on. I erased the codes again and again after 40 miles the codes came back on. Did not notice any change in tranny perfomance or how it shifts the gears. Is it possible that it has some kind electrical malfunction(wiring)?

#1878 of 2067 New tranny in by chuckls68

Feb 20, 2010 (10:37 am)

Well, the tranny case was MORE than cracked. There was a hole punched in it about big enough for me to put my fist through. A pin came out and then another post let loose punching a LARGE hole in the case. This was the largest hole that the mechanic had ever seen. The tranny that was put in was re-done with a different design so the pin cannot come out. The mechanic has replaced a few dozen transmissions on Dodge/Chrysler vans; all were originals. He said that from 1998-2002 there were MAJOR transmission issues and it took 14 years for Dodge/Chrysler to change the design of the transmission.
 
I was also told that there are no Dodge/Chrylser products assembled in the United States after 2002. Dodge/Chrysler I guess are done in Canada and Plymouth products are done in Mexico or something. I have my next vehicle choice as a 2005 or newer Suburban or Yukon XL. Completely different vehicle that I am sure I will be much happier with.

#1879 of 2067 Re: New tranny in [chuckls68] by shipo

Feb 20, 2010 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: chuckls68 (Feb 20, 2010 10:37 am)
I don't know where you and your mechanic are getting this information, but most of what you just posted about the problems, the redesigns, and where vehicles are produced is complete horse hockey.
 
FWIW #1, there was a minor redesign of the transmissions for the1998 model year that eliminated a number of problems, and a much more substantial one in 2001 for the Gen 4 vans that made the transmissions fully compatible with ATF+4.
 
FWIW #2, I am a moderator on another board that is dedicated exclusively to Chrysler minivans and have been tracking the transmission issue for a number of years now, and the number of Gen 4 vans (which include the 2001 and 2002 model years) that have had transmissions are very few indeed. The transmission in our 2003 is identical to the unit used in the 2001 and 2002 vans, and it now has 140,000 miles on it without so much as a fluid and fiter change (thank you ATF+4).
 
FWIW #3, North American (i.e. Canada, Mexico AND the U.S.) Chrysler produced vehicles continues to this day.

#1880 of 2067 Re: New tranny in [shipo] by vcheng

Feb 22, 2010 (8:38 am)

Replying to: shipo (Feb 20, 2010 2:01 pm)
Shipo: I vaguely recall all these complaints of "holes in the gearcase" had one thing in common: excessive wheelspin while stuck or other type of abuse, that caused the differential pinion ring pin to loosen and come out due to the very high rotational force. Of course people then complained of crappy transmissions while neglecting to mention what they did to it.

#1881 of 2067 Vehicle would not engage in Reverse by wserenity

Feb 27, 2010 (9:31 pm)

My bought new in 2007 Caravan would not engage in reverse today. I had it towed to dealership. They told me that since I did not have a transmission flush at 50,000 I would have to have it done. My van has 73,000km so it is still under warranty. I see previous suggestions to NOT have trany flush? If the dealer insists can they nullify my warranty if I refuse to have the flush? Do you think that the transmission is going? Thanks :

Messages Page 189 of 208

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