Ask the Car People.SM


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


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 33 of 208

#314 of 2067 Thanks Steve by 4aodge

Apr 18, 2003 (3:21 pm)

Yes, it has been a little too long since I've poster here. It's good to be back. We've had two Chrysler minivans, a 1998 Grand Caravan and 2000 Town & Country, neither of which had any serious problems. I'm about to head off to college in a few months and I'm wondering if a used Chrysler minivan from 1999 or 2000 would be a practical vehicle for next year. Or perhaps a used 2001 or 2002 PT Cruiser?
 
-Adam

#315 of 2067 get a van by steve_ HOST

Apr 18, 2003 (3:29 pm)

Then offer to move your friends, and their friends. You'll make enough to keep yourself in gas and pizza all semester, every semester.
 
Steve, Host

#316 of 2067 7 Caravans since '94 by seattlebob1

Apr 18, 2003 (10:30 pm)

OK. First post here. Let me lend my experience. I have had company leased Grand Caravans since 1994, traded every two years about 50K+. The ONLY transmission probs were the '94 with 3.0 V-6 and push-button overdrive. The problem disappeared after servicing the trans (my predecessor just changed the oil in the engine). The next was a '96 Grand SE with 3.0 V-6 and 3 speed auto (kind of a dog power-wise), and a '98 Grand SE with 3.3 V-6 and 4 speed auto. No problems. Serviced at 5K intervals. I currently have a '99 Sport (short wheelbase) with the 4-speed auto and 3.3 V-6 with about 50K. No. problems. My wife's company trades every 3 years and 50K+, using the base model also since '94. The first with a 4 cyl . The last two, base models with the 3.0 V-6 and three speed trans. No trans problems, and her company doesn't service but at 7.5K intervals. I personally am a "shifter", and like to use the trans for braking and avoid a multi-shift downshift by anticipating an uphill grade or whatever. No problems. My vife's company switched last year to Chevy Ventures. Aside from the On-Star, her fellow managers haven't been wild about them due to heavy maintenance and poor build quality, and wish for the Caravan back. My Goodyear service manager says he buys Dodge rebuilt transmissions direct from the Dodge distributor, "and they don't come back", so somewhere at Dodge, they've figured it out. A rebuild is about $2,600 - $2,900 installed. I haven't needed one. I'd love to put a crate Hemi in my '99 Sport, but that's another story . . . . So, there is some cold, hard experience for you.

#317 of 2067 Servicing by seattlebob1

Apr 18, 2003 (11:01 pm)

My local Jiffy Lube manager observes that a ton of Dodges (all models) are leased, and somewhat poorly maintained by those driving company cars due to extended and "least costly" service intervals.
 I use Mobile-1 synthetic in the engine every 3K in my '99 Sport with 3.3 V-6 and 4 speed auto, and have used Lube Guard in the trans at the first service (30K) with a filter change. I intend to switch the trans fluid to synthetic at the next service (60k). I'll need to find a shop that can also flush the converter for a complete renewal of the trans fluid, and I think it will pay off in the long run. I used to work in a trans shop, and I'm in agreement with earlier posts. There is nothing worse than burnt trans fluid, both in the trans and it's "perfume". So, change the fluid, get a trans cooler.

#318 of 2067 crate Hemi in your '99 Sport? by steve_ HOST

Apr 19, 2003 (9:00 am)

Seattlebob1, check out the Where are the high performance minivans? discussion, and thanks for the reliability reports.
 
Steve, Host

#319 of 2067 seattlebob by mrnimmo

Apr 19, 2003 (5:52 pm)

You worked in a trans shop? What do you feel about the suck it all out method vs. the multiple drain and fill method for tranny service. I use the DIY drain and fill method, usually three times within a few days and the fluid looks nice and new, but I've been wondering about the machines...

#320 of 2067 DIY VS FLUSH by seattlebob1

Apr 22, 2003 (10:34 pm)

If your trans fluid looks and smells good, and the stuff in the pan is very fine (VS chunks), all may be well. It is sure a lot of work to bust open the pan (not to mention the mess and gaskets) since there isn't a drain plug, VS having a machine set up between the transmission and cooler lines. They claim to get it all out while it is running. Whatever. I would rather DIY my engine oil, too, but I can't get my car into the garage, and the driveway is about 8 degrees. Somehow the Jiffy Lube 20 minute service looks better all the time. 'Don't have to recycle the oil, either. I still have to rotate the tires. I have winter tires mounted on rims and get that done at Goodyear along with an alignment, and try to keep up with all the other maintenance on a DIY basis, including the K&N filter cleaning and recommended inspections of the CV boots, etc. Convienence more than anything.

#321 of 2067 Thanks by mrnimmo

Apr 24, 2003 (8:41 am)

I've never really been sold on the "suck em dry" tranny machines, but the convenience is certainly there.

#322 of 2067 95 Caravan 4-speed Transmission Problem by bfly0714

May 02, 2003 (2:37 am)

I have a 1995 Caravan 4-speed with 120k miles on it. Recently I have noticed a problem, usually when the car has not been driven for a couple of days. Once the car is started, the shifter is put in reverse or drive and nothing happens. It seems that turning the car completly off and on a couple of times makes this problem go away.
What I was wondering is this a sign of more problems to come, or does this sound like maybe some type of small part or linkage problem that would not be outrageously expensive to repair. The van has been great, and is in great shape. I am thinking about trying to sell it, but I don't want to sell it to someone and have the trans. die on them . I also do not want to have to replace the transmission to sell it, I would not be able to cover the cost of the transmission. I want to take it to have it looked at, but I have heard horror stories about people needing 10 dollar parts, and being told that they need a complete rebuild.

#323 of 2067 Get a dealer to check the... by vcheng

May 02, 2003 (6:37 am)

...Clutch Volume Indices (CVIs) which will tell you the amount of life left in the clutch packs. That'll give you an idea of what to expect.
 
Sounds like the clutch packs are on their way out, but if the CVIs are good, then you may want to look for something else.
 
A good idea would be to have a fluid level check, and drain and refill with Type 7176 (ATF+3) fluid.
 
What is the maintenance history on the transmission, and your style of driving?
 
120k miles is darn good overall I think.

Messages Page 33 of 208

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement