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Comments
I recently suffered through similiar experience and was wondering if you, or anyone reading this, would be willing to provide further information as I am at a lost with my 97 Chrysler T&C.
Recently driving my T&C on highway and feel vibrating (around 85 mph) that I initially attributed to poor tire balancing. Reduced speed to under 80, vibrating disappears. Next day on same trip about one hour in, transmission goes out. In R, D, 3, L, NO action.
Any words of experience/advice much needed as vehicle currently in local Chrysler shop.
HELP!!!
Hope to hear from you, anyone, soon.
RAP
Torque Converter failure? Sounds more likely to me. Unfortunately, usually when the TC fails, it takes the rest of the transmission with it. If your dealership is honest, they'll open it up and let you know for sure.
When my TC went last year there was NO DOUBT in my mind that the rest of the transmission was toast given the horrible grinding sounds that issued forth as I tried to nurse our 1998 off the road. Even still, my dealership insisted on opening it up first before ordering a factory remanufactured transmission. Needless to say, as soon as they dropped the pan, they ordered the tranny. ;-)
Best Regards,
Shipo
Very much appreciate your reply. Just to give you more info on where I stand currently. I am in Germany and this happened coming back from a weekend away with my family. You state that there was NO DOUBT in your mind when your's went due to the grinding, I too experienced the grinding especially when I tried to reverse. I have sinced heard back from the Chrysler service shop and they have confirmed that it is the trans and that I need to replace it. As the vehicle is about 4 hours away at another location, I am at their mercy and feel relatively safe that they are telling the truth at least to the best of their ability. The Germans seem to be quite serious when it comes to doing business over here and hopefully that extends to their service shops.
What I would like to ask you is what you can provide me in the way of expereicen/advice concerning my options. It is going to cost me $4500 to have this trans replaced. I have spoken to some of my American co-workers here and they stated that I can expect to pay more for the same level of work/service as I would if this were done in the US. They have told me that it comes with a 12 month warranty.
What I would like to know is to the best of your ability, if I decide to replace the trans, what is the reasonable expectation of its success and the life-extension of my T&C?
Thanks for your guidance.
RAP
Regarding your situation, while I have no doubt that you're going to have to pay a premium to get the same transmission, I'm stunned that you're being quoted $4,500 for a transmission that only comes with a 12 month warranty. Yuk! With that in mind, I might be inclined to shop around a bit.
Regarding the particular transmission that you are being quoted the $4,500 on, what is its source? Is it rebuilt or remanufactured over in Europe or is it the same unit that I got that has been shipped across the pond?
As for extending the life of your van, that was the dilemma that I was faced with last year. "Do I dump $2,600 for a new tranny or do I just trade the sucker in on a new car?" The fact is that our van has looooong since been paid for, and other than the tranny, it has been a model of reliability. So, dumping the money seemed like a good bet given how good the rest of the van was. Would I make the same decision if I was faced with a $4,500 repair? Ummmm, probably. That said, as fuel over here in the U.S. approaches $4.00 per gallon, and given that my company is about to move, forcing me into a 130+ mile per day commute, I might make a different choice today.
Best Regards,
Shipo
PS I had my transmission settings changed/downloaded twice and it did not take care of the problem. Hoping for the best with this new part.
I am actually being charged a rate of 3,353 Euros excluding tax, which I am exempt from paying. What's kicking my behind in this transaction is the piss poor exchange rate. I am getting the trans from local German Chrysler dealership who has quoted that the casing may be reused/remanufactured, whatever the correct terminology may be, but that all the parts inside are new Chrysler parts. They stated it was 12 month warranty. Should I seek additional assistance from Chrysler direct in USA regarding more warranty? Is it possible for me to order directly a trans?
As I have never experienced a trans blow-out, I am not really sure what I am dealing with. As I read some of the stuff in this string, I am somewhat confused. I do know for a fact that as I was traveling down the German autobahn at around 80-85 mph, the van started to shake and shudder, not violently though, and the trans felt as it disengaged and pressing the gas pedal only acted as the van was in neutral. I finally coasted to a stop and when trying reverse heard the grinding high pitch noise. I assume it is shot. Any thoughts on that?
As for extending the life of my van, I share the same dilemma that you faced with yours. Our van too has looooong since been paid off, and other than the trans, it has been a model of reliability. That's why it is so tough to make the decision although I am seriously leaning to fixing it. If it weren't for the sad exchange rate it would be more even with what you paid in dollars.
Appreciate your thoughts.
RAP
Rebuilt typically means taking a broken unit, tearing it apart and measuring every part. All parts that meet minimum used specs are reused, all parts that don't are replaced with either new aftermarket or used parts, and then the unit is reassembeled.
Remanufactured typically means the case is gutted, cleaned and all internal parts are replaced with factory new, and at the latest engineering build level. Essentially a "Factory Reman" is a new unit.
Regarding the warranty, I'd press your dealership on that one. As for getting a unit from the U.S., hmmm, I suppose it is possible. I just checked http://www.dodgeparts.com and saw that they have 3.8 liter transmissions for 1998 3.8 liter models for $2,047.50 (for some reason they aren't listing the 1996 and 1997 models although I'm pretty sure they're available).
Another alternative is going with a mass rebuilder like Phoenix Rebuilders, they're showing a transmission for a 1997 T&C 3.8 for $1,135 with a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty. Their unit can be seen at the following link:
http://www.phoenixhardparts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=156
If you decide to opt for an American unit, I'm sure the freight couldn't be more than a couple of hundred dollars and then you could simply install it yourself or pay your dealer to do the R&R for you. The potential problem here is time. How long can you be without your van?
Best Regards,
Shipo
brokenspoke
To cut the story short, I am relieved to know what causes the problem and that Chrysler is aware of the problem.
My transmission guy now knows that I was not making up the stories about transmission shudder.
Latest news is that I in fact shopped around, as hard as it is to do in a foreign environment, but nevertheless I called another Chrysler dealer closer to my home and they have quoted me a price for what I believe is the "Factory Reman" for 1,000 euro less than previously quoted from first Chrysler dealer. I am now down to 2,499 euro completely installed and ready to roll. At todays exchange rate that is $3,325, so about a $1,200 savings from first quote and this one comes with 24 month, unlimited mileage, world-wide guarantee. I think this is going to be the best offer, I suppose. I will need to verify the part number as I received that from calling Chrysler Germany HQ in Berlin and they have pretty much confirmed all that second dealer has quoted me thusfar. Once work is complete I will be forever crossing my fingers everytime I drive the vehicle. It currently has 132,000 miles and if I can get to 200,000 without any further trans problems, I will be happy. Hope I am not asking for too much.
Keep us posted.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I confirmed it today, around the 50-60mph range crusing, if you get on the accelerator for example to go from 52mph to 55mph you will feel a light vibration, if you let off the accelerator it goes away. It is not the road surface it is the van. Not sure where to start to find the problem. The steering wheel does not shake like a out of balance tire would do to it. It doesn't seem to do it at lower speeds that I have noticed. Is this tranny? suspension? tires? motor? No idea where to start. Everything else seems to be fine on the van besides your usual rattles.
I just recently got an '06 T&C with 20 K miles. It runs perfect for all account but there is this noise that bothers me. I often have to descend into steep canyons over tight, winding roads and quickly figured that I needed to shift into "L" and slow down to 25 MPH to engage 1st gear to avoid overheating the brakes. This way I can just let the van coast down at around 25 MPH, hardly touching the brakes.
However, after a couple of miles of such winding, steep descent I hear a rather noticable whining sound. The sound will change pitch with the engine revving. This sound will last for several minutes even after returning to more level and higher gear/speed driving. After a few minutes the sound goes away. It sound like it could be either a transmission oil pump noise or a power steering whine. However it is most noticable from inside the car. When opening the hood I can not really hear it and the power steering oil is not foamed up.
Wonder if anyone experienced it? I have plenty of warranty left on the car, just concerned that the dealer's mechanics will not be able to reproduce the sound unless they find a deep canyon to descend into in 1st gear.
Appreciate any advice
Also, sometimes all the shift positions (P, R, N, D, 3, L) light and all have boxes around them.
Is the above caused by a mis-adjusted or bad switch connected to the shift lever?
Does all the positions lighting suggest a problem with the dashboard PC board or circuitry?
How do I get to it to adjust it or replace it?
I assume that the above will not affect the transmission or any other part of the van. True?
It probably will not affect the mechanical operation of the vehicle, at least not unless it spreads.
Appreciate if somebody can give some advise here.
Thanks!
I have a 2000 Grand Caravan, 198k miles, original owner, mostly maintained per manufacture rec.
Two days ago, when I would come almost completely to a stop, there would be a "clunk" just before stop. This always happens now when coming down to a stop, but not at any other time. I thought transmission, and had the fluid/filter changed today. Fluid was in need of a change.. had let it lapse a bit. They used the special Chrysler ATF. But the problem is still there. Additionally, the check engine light has come on. I tried the 3 key turns on trick to see if it flashed (and found code list on web), but it only flashed once and no more. I'm not sure what that means.
Today after having the tranny serviced. I spent time driving it to see if I noticed anything else. I did notice that after having the van in reverse, say to back out of a parking space, when I then put it into drive, there is a few seconds of hesitation before it will drive. I had not noticed this before all this started two days ago.
Any ideas????? I am taking it in this week, but really don't want to get taken by the dealer. The van has had no troubles up until this point.
Thanks!!!
1) Why did you have the fluid replaced? IIRC, the 2002 uses a lifetime fill of ATF+4 transmission fluid.
2) Who did the work on the transmission? Many places claim to have some magic elixir that will magically change Dextron transmission fluid into ATF+4. It won't. So, unless you took it to a dealer, you may well have the wrong fluid in the transmission.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks for your assistance.
I suppose the first thing I would do in your shoes would be to get your mechanic to spell out exactly what the "Proper fluid" is for your transmission. If he says anything other than Mopar ATF+4, then you have a problem. If he does give you the correct answer, go to a dealership and pay them to reset the TCM. That may or may not solve your problem.
Keep us posted.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Thanks again for all the comments.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Just be aware that it might (and probably will, at some point) leave you stranded, so be prepared for that and take it as it comes.
I find it hard to swallow that it just "appeared" after a service, but stranger things have happened.
Does the debri, sound accurate? I'm not that familiar with tranmissions.
Thanks,
What is causing the "sticking" though? Is it debris? Friction? Improper fluid? Tough to say, but I would think debris would be the least likely problem, as that would tend to cause a blockage altogether or would at least be less consistent than the other two. But, debris and/or friction could be addressed by flushing the transmission with a solvent. A shop would actually have to hook the vehicle up to a machine that cycles the fluid through to replace all the current fluid, clean the internal components of the transmission, and then install all new fluid. Not sure how much it would cost, but I would guess perhaps $500. No guarantee, of course, that it would fix the problem.
If it is the fluid causing the problem then get it out as soon as possible!
As for when it might strand you.... anyone's guess. It all depends on what is wrong and how much damage it is causing. It will probably get worse before it gives up altogether, though.
This started happening after someone tried to steal my van and broke whatever on the steering column. My cousin had a mechanic fix the column and later fix the problem with the linkage or whatever was causing the problem of it sticking in gear (twice).
I was never able to get any feedback on how this was fixed but it is now stuck in 1st again in a really remote spot and I would like to know what I might check in order to fix it.
AAMCO repaired for ~3k (with 3yr warranty, has new transmission, torque converter, replaced broken oil pan and right passenger axle too). X-sing fingers hopefully another 100k mi ahead
Assuming that your new transmission is built to the same specs as the Mopar unit, and assuming that they put the correct tranny fluid in it (ATF+4), there is no reason why it shouldn't last another couple of hundred thousand miles.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Your comments will be highly appreciated!
I would say if you have owned it for 9 yrs and this is the first time you have had to drop some serious cash in it, you have got your money's worth out of it.
As for the $100 deductible charge for each visit for the same problem, I would call Chrysler Corporation and fight it. I've heard from several people that some dealerships are nickeling and diming the consumer to death with these fees, and replacing parts that weren't necessary.
I've pulled my T&C from the dealership to get a second "unbiased" opinion.
As for "is it worth it?" how much is a new car going to cost you? A lot more than $2,900.
Now after all this, I seem to have the "shudder" problem since they installed the tranny. :lemon:
Even though it wasn't doing it before the new transmission, they said they weren't responsible for this problem. ALTHOUGH they did have a service bulletin explaining how to POSSIBLY fix my new prob for only $200 more ...... I guess I'll live with it! :mad:
Really? I haven't gotten that impression. My read suggests that a limited number of folks have had tranny problems since the latest 41TE transmission was released in 2001. Prior to that there did seem to be a fair amount of problems, however, I know of quite a number of folks with over 200,000 miles on their original tranny in their Gen 3 models.
FWIW, our 3.8 liter 2003 DGC ES has 95,000 miles on it and it is still running its original transmission, in fact, its still running on its factory fill of ATF+4 tranny fluid and original filter as well.
Best Regards,
Shipo