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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

#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 :

#1882 of 2067 Re: Vehicle would not engage in Reverse [wserenity] by shipo

Feb 27, 2010 (9:49 pm)

Replying to: wserenity (Feb 27, 2010 9:31 pm)
Your dealership is scamming you. Ask them to put their claim about voiding your warranty in writing, their reaction should be worth a post or two.
 
A few points:
 - 1. Your Owner's Manual makes no recommendation for any transmission service for the life of the vehicle under "Normal Driving".
 - 2. If you operate under the "Severe Service" category, then your Owner's Manual says the following: "Every 60,000 miles/100,000 kilometers'60 months, change the automatic transmission fluid & filter if using your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing."
 - 3. Under no circumstances should have the transmission "Flushed", this service is only useful for "flushing" the contents out of your wallet, not to mention the fact that there are entirely too many reports of transmissions failing shortly after a "flush".

#1883 of 2067 Evap sensors? by cookie28

Mar 02, 2010 (6:05 pm)

I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan EX my check engine light has been on since september. my husband, along with my mechanic both say it has something to do with the "evap sensor" and the light will not go out until this "evap sensor' is fixed. my mechanic ordered one in september and it's still not in. Can anyone help me with info on this, because I have been driving around with a rejected inspection sticker since sept. and find it hard to believe it would take this long to get one part?

#1884 of 2067 Re: Evap sensors? [cookie28] by shipo

Mar 02, 2010 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: cookie28 (Mar 02, 2010 6:05 pm)
1) Try a different mechanic
2) Try shopping for one yourself via the likes of Napa, Autozone...
3) While I have occasionally heard of the Evap Sensor failing in these cars, I have heard of far more cases where the evap system integrity is compromised due to a cracked rubber hose (such as those that connect to the evap cannister).
 
Keep us posted.

Messages Page 189 of 208

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