Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

xwesx · January 2010

Ah, so we are down to sensors and the TCM. Good luck with that!

chuckls68 · February 2010

I have a 1999 Dodge Caravan Sport with a 3.3 in it. I pulled into the driveway the other day and it was leaking tranny fluid. By that night, it looked like someone butchered a pig under the van and all of the fluid was out of it. I did not drive it with low or no fluid in it. My question...so is my whole tranny shot? Like I said, it has not been driven after it started leaking as there was no, zero, nothing leaking before this. I did start it up and checked forward and reverse and had neither one. No driving with it like that though. What should I be checking to see what leaked?

Any help answering this question would be appreciated.

shipo · February 2010

It sounds like the internals are probably alive and well, that said, you do need to find where the leak is coming from. If either your pan or your solenoid are leaking then it's an easy fix, if the tranny case itself is cracked (very-very rare), then you're probably better off with a new tranny. Anything else (such as one of the various input and output seals) is a more involved fix, but way-WAY cheaper than a new transmission.

Keep us posted.

Best regards,
Shipo

chuckls68 · February 2010

Thanks for the info shipo. Hopefully you are correct with the lesser of all the evils that could be wrong with it. I was quoted $1250 to have the tranny replaced, so hopefully it will be lower than that.

Another question...does it pay to put a tranny cooler on these vans? I do some towing of a boat, normally not long distances, but sometimes a couple hours one way. I am not going to keep the van for more than 8 months longer as I want to get back into another Expedition. Not sure if I should look at investing in a tranny cooler for it.

shipo · February 2010

Given the history of these transmissions, especially the ones built before 2001, I think that if I was towing so much as a bicycle behind me I'd be putting a tranny cooler on. :P

I had another thought regarding your leak; I've heard sporadic reports that the tranny cooler lines occasionally leak, especially at the point where they enter the radiator. Give those a good look-see while you're checking things out.

Best regards,
Shipo

chuckls68 · February 2010

Hey Shipo...

Well, my future brother-in-law came over and we added a quart of ATF-4 tranny fluid. I had forward, reverse and all other drive gears. No noises, clunking, nothing. They all worked good. There was some tranny fluid dripping off of one of the tranny solenoid brackets. Now, if the solenoid needs replacing is there any other parts that should be replaced at the same time? I thought I read somewhere that there is another part that often goes bad at the same time. Also, any guestimates on what I could expect for a cost to fix this if it is not the tranny itself?

Thanks for all the help!!!

Chuck

dasboot72 · February 2010

I just wanted to add that a sudden massive leak is usually a cooler line that blew off of the trans. The 2 lines are located right above the solonoid pack and if looking from below it will look like the solonoid is leaking. It is however very common for the solonoid to leak in cold weather but not all the fluid out at once. Hope this helps.

chuckls68 · February 2010

Well, the transmission case is cracked and the tranny needs replacing. Just does not make any sense as to why this happend. New tranny going on for under $1,500. This van is gone by fall!!! I will NEVER buy another Dodger/Chrysler product.

shipo · February 2010

What is the history of your van? Did you buy it new?

FWIW, the transmissions in the Gen 3 vans were a weak point, that said, when the transmission went out in our 3.8 liter 1998 DGC after 109,000 miles, I gladly put a new one in as opposed to disposing of the van. Why? Because prior to that point the van had cost me a whopping $8.00 in unscheduled maintenance since it was brand new. I am also happy to report that after the new tranny went in I drove the van another 70,000 miles before trading it in, and during that time the unscheduled maintenance was extremely low (like $400 for a starter, a window regulator, and a muffler). In fact, I was so impressed by the vans mechanical reliability that when we needed a third vehicle for our family, I went out and found a fully tarted up 1998 Chrysler Town & Country LXi with 180,000 miles on it and bought it. I have no doubt that the T&C will soldier on in our family for a number of years.

Long story short, I understand being frustrated with needing to pony up for a large maintenance expense, but given that your van is eleven years old, and given that there are many folks that are getting three, four, and even five hundred-thousand miles out of these vehicles, you might A) forgive the van for the failed transmission, and

find that keeping your van will be the best financial investment you could make.

Best regards,
Shipo

chuckls68 · February 2010

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.

shipo · February 2010

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

misticdawn · February 2010

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? :confuse:

shipo · February 2010

'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?' :confuse:

Yes, you can put a transmission in from either a Chrysler Town & Country or a Dodge Caravan.

Sorry, the Devil made me say that. :P

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.

megramsey · February 2010

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?

minivan4ever · February 2010

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)?

chuckls68 · February 2010

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.

shipo · February 2010

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.

vcheng · February 2010

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.

wserenity · February 2010

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? :confuse: Do you think that the transmission is going? Thanks :

shipo · February 2010

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".

cookie28 · March 2010

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?

shipo · March 2010

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.

glisda · March 2010

My van was running with no problems until I was driving 30 mph felt a slip like a ice patch. The engine light came on and the tranny went into limp mode. Took it to my local tranny shop read the codes (700 & 755) I guess they point to the solenoid pack. He swapped out my solenoid pack with a new one ran the car same thing happened same codes and limp mode. check all my connections/wires couldn't pin point problem. Ended up taking it to the dealer who ran a simulator on the computer said the solenoid pack needs to be replaced to START. Paid my bill left with no work done. No shop can pin point the problem they want to take the harness out and test each wire which will of course build a large labor bill. Can anyone help guide me suggest a starting point or anything.

theshadowdj · March 2010

my transmission had a seal failure while driving and i hvae since replaced it but now when i put it in reverse and all gears including nuetral it goes forard im lost as in what will cause this or what to this is my only car and im extreamly straped for cash and hard pressed to come up with 1400 dollars for a rebuild can someone point in me in the right direction to hopfully fix this cheaply or am i just boned

dasboot72 · March 2010

The only thing that will make your trans go forward in reverse is catastrophic internal failure with parts being essentially welded together due to extreme heat. If you just had the trans replaced and this happened within a day or two I would suspect that he trans cooler was plugged and not reverse flushed during replacement causing the new trans to fail. Check the fluid, if it smells burnt which I suspect it will, you have problems.

dasboot72 · March 2010

A very common area of wire rubthrough is where the harness that runs up to the solonoid pack touches the front edge of the trans pan. You need to carefully follow the harness from the solonoid pack back looking for any contact areas. The problem with hooking up a trans simulator laike the dealer did is that you have to disconnect the wiring at the trans and hook it to the simulator which moves any possibally shorted wiring away from the area it was shorted to, hence passing the simulator test. It is usually difficult to find a shorted wire but it has to be done. Another option is to hard wire from the TCM to the solonoid the effected circuit. In your case P0755 is the 2/4 solonoid circuit.

skutr · March 2010

I have spent most of this morning reading posts on Chrysler transmissions.
I owed a '96 G/C w/3.8 for 10 years and was amazed that it always shifted smoothly for over a 100k with one power flush @ 60K. Though it had its share of problems i.e. a/c loosing charge ever year after 8 yrs, serpentine belts annually shredding till I found out the water pump pulley bearing was loose and causing misalignment. But all in all it was a pleasure to own.

My '07 with 24K was dropped off this morning for a couple of routine items however we have experienced the common tranny problem of the initial cold morning hard shift from 0-20 mph. Last time in they performed the software update and though it seams better I am concerned that over time this will cause wear or damage. I am not sure at this time if it warrants my pursuing the dealer to change out the torque converter. I have told my wife to ease through those cold morning first shifts. Any input would be appreciated. :confuse:

setchieson · March 2010

I dont know if you still come here. I just have a transmission question. I have a 98 town and country. My service engine soon light would come on and it would not shift out of first gear. After I would turn it off and wait a few seconds it would drive and shift just fine. I figured resetting the trouble code and letting me go. Yesterday it pretty much decided not to go anymore and stopped on the highway. Like it ewas in neutral. I pulled off the road and was able to "reset" just enough so it would move very slowly with a high pitched noise coming from it. I then towed it home and it sat til this morning when it would go forward and reverse with the same high noise and acted like it wanted to jump from gear to gear. I also had to play with the shifter in order to get it to move at all. So I pulled the pan off and drained the fluid. Which smelled horrible by the way. Replaced the filter and gasket, put some lucas in it and tried again. It went in to forward and reverse no problem. I drove down the road no problem. However now it will barely shift out of first on occasion and it still jumps back down into first after a min or 2. Any advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so very much. You can even email me at setchieson1425@yahoo.com.

dasboot72 · March 2010

You have nothing to worry about. The software update changes some shift strategies and adaptive learning stratagies. If you still have harsh shifts try having it quick learned and see if that solves the prob. If the prob comes back then you may need further diag for internal repair.

dasboot72 · March 2010

Hi, if the old fluid was burnt you have burnt clutches as that is the onlly way for that to happen. What you are seeing as 1st gear is actually 2nd gear as that is the limp in gear for this trans. You really need to see what DTC's are in the system causing the engine light to come on to see what direction you need to head in. If you find out the codes let me know and I'll give you some more info.

shay2 · March 2010

My grand caravan has 160K. Just this week will not accelerate when push on the pedal. Occasionally will go if wait a few seconds after you accelerate. Also problem in reverse. I assume the transmission is gone. There is a bump feeling when it finally moves. What would a new transmission cost, or a rebuilt one? The car is only worth about $1500 or less so I am not sure if it is even worth fixing. It is primarily my 17 year old daughter's bumper car, if you know what I mean.
Thanks for any help

erau1990 · April 2010

I have 2007 T&C with same issue. It turns out that it is the power steering pump and reservoir. Mine would start whining after 5-10 mins at highway speed and stop whining after its cools off for 15 mins or so. Reservoir was changed as a precaution because of a filter screen in it.

dmor319 · April 2010

I have a 1997 dodge caravan with 3.0 litre engine. My question is will a 3.7 engine and transmission fit?

leadfoot69 · April 2010

Probly not. That engine not design to be in van.
the 3.0,3.3 and 3.8 are the ones that go in there but hey if you can manufacture and weld mounts , axles and exhaust then sure it will fit lol

dmor319 · April 2010

Thanks for your information.It was worth a try.

shipo · April 2010

A 3.7 liter engine? Never heard of one, which company makes it?

bs12 · April 2010

I have a 2003 Chrysler Voyager with 40,000 miles. I recently had the transmission serviced they said it was fine. Shortly thereafter, I had to have a sensor replaced on the top of the transmission. The past few days I have noticed a clicking sound when I put it in reverse. It does not hesitate, there are no shifting problems. Is this just a noise? My fuel pump gets very noisy when the weather gets hot.

bobevans · April 2010

I am having the same whinning problem with my 96 town and country how long did you drive with the whinning noise and how was it shifting.

raleigh_rick · April 2010

Noticed they have a cap instead of a dipstick on the 2008 town and country. From other posts looks like there's a Oil Dipstick you can get

http://www.toolsource.com/dipstick-nag1-transmission-p-100198.html

but reads that it's for the 3.5l engine. Does anyone know if this is the best way to check the trans fluid, and will this one work? Anyone know a better way, they want 72 bucks for the thing.

It's under warranty, thinking I should leave it alone....

glxy500 · May 2010

97 Caravan. Driving normally, just stopped pulling. Fluid ok, no leaks. Crank back up and will not engage reverse, will only engage drive. Can only drive 8 mph. 9 will disengage. Unplugged battery all night, plus letting it cool. No difference. I am thinking electrical problem, just would like to know where to start.

leadfoot69 · May 2010

What motor and trans is in it.

occupant1 · May 2010

Depending on what state you're in and what you can get away with regarding emissions and inspections, you could always drop a VW TDI diesel in there. The 3.0 is a good motor. All the faults with it (valve guides, oil burning, oil leakage, timing belt, water pump) can be fixed easily. A 3.0 engine can be had used in most parts of the country from a junkyard with a 30 to 90 day warranty for less than $500. Figure another $700-$1000 labor to install. Or just fix the one you've got.

If you'd rather change engines, get the 3.8, it's got a ton of torque and is still good on mileage. In a short wheelbase (non-Grand) van it would be fun to drive. Try to get one from the same year van if you can. Town & Country vans often had the 3.8 so start looking for those.

jpf · May 2010

I guess this would be the engine found in the Jeep Liberty, Dodge Dakota, and Dodge Nitro. Otherwise, I wouldn't know either.

shipo · May 2010

Ahhh, that 3.7 liter motor. As far as I know, there is virtually no way of fitting a 3.7 (designed for a longitudinal installation) into a minivan (which has engines mounted transversely).

dvn · May 2010

I have a 2001 dodge caravan 4 cylinder 3 speed tranny. When you put it in gear you can here like a whirling noise then it goes in gear. It also does this when you take off in first and second not in third or reverse. It reminds me off spider gears in a rear wheel drive vehicle. I checked pan and nothing unusual just normal shavings. Wondering if could be fixed or is it to late. Did not drive it very far when it started this just to house and parked it.

dvn · May 2010

I have a 92 chrysler new yorker fifth avenue with a 3.8 motor 604 overdrive tranny. I am on my 3rd or 4th tranny i lost count. Long story on first few just dont ever let someone flush one. Not my choice sent wife and they talked her into flush instead of servicing. But anyway this one keeps going into limp mode but not all the time just sometimes but still annoying. Of course its been to 2 shops I have replace relays, silonoid pack, tranny computer, fluid filter, and whatever else soft codes told me. Know after talking to a few more people and what I've read on here I'm chasing wires looking for a raw wire. My wifes uncle has been telling me it sounds like ground problems to him since the beginning. Hence the wire chasing. I read on here once about a ground strap problem and how to run new ones but can't remember what it said or where the original strap is. If anyone can tell me how to run the new ones and where the old one is. Would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone can think of something i haven't covered please tell me I would like to get this car fixed it has been a headache since the trouble started and now i have more money in it than what i paid for it. still a nice car only has 14x,xxx miles on it. Thanks in advance.

overtheroad · May 2010

have a 2000 Grand Caravan. The blower quit working all together. Replaced resistor in the firewall last month. Fuse good, but no power to the fan control. Don't know how to test the relay. There is power to two points at the relay terminal. After that I'm lost. Any help would be appreciated

workingman4 · May 2010

Hey guys if anyone is interested im sure you can salvage some parts from this 2003 Caravan - or just fix it up

http://www.governmentauctions.org/blog/index.php/2010/05/24/2003-dodge-grand-car- avan-grandiose/?dt_p=Monday,%20May%2024,%202010&tm_p=12:23%20PM&cat_p=Online%20A- uction%20Items,%20Seized&tag_p=Auto,Automobile,car,Dodge,Grand%20Caravan,Minivan- ,vehicle,

xwesx · May 2010

Have you checked it to ensure it has the proper amount of fluid? If it is low, it will take a few seconds to pressurize. The transmission works via hydraulic pressure so you have to make sure the fluid is topped off.

dvn · May 2010

Yeh i changed the fluid with the right stuff and didn't help. I've decided to change the transmission and stuck on trying to get the ball joint and tie rod off.

Chrysler Minivan Transmission Problems

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