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I would bet that you have used an aftermarket synthetic ATF. If that is correct what you have is a Dexron-Mercon equivalent in semi-synthetic base. This is not the same thing as the recommended ATF+4. ATF+4 is also a semi-synthetic but contains an exclusive pour-point depressant and friction modifier package that is not available from anyone else but Chrysler.
I'm not saying that something else couldn't be wrong, but your transmission acts fine in warm temperatures but acts up when cold. This indicates the possibility of a partially clogged filter or incorrect transmission fluid.
ATF+4 has a pour-point 55 degrees F lower than Dexron-Mercon. Most of the synthetic Dexron-Mercon ATFs will only take you down about 10 degrees.
Best regards,
Dusty
So what I'm trying to say is, yours is worth more than $2K unless its really messed up. By the way, at 130K my transmission is working fine, knock on wood. Just needs its front rotors straightened out or replaced, but they knew that at the car lots.
By the way, one trade in dealer offered $3000 for it sight unseen. Suggested I try to sell it myself or take it to a used lot.
Werner
Good Luck.
This should be performed every 30,000 miles. Our transmission lasted to 140k miles doing this and included pulling a popup camper for some long distances.
In case someone cares... the full rebuild by a local (honest and reputable) shop was about $1200 and included new "rebuild" kit, solenoid pack, orbital gear, torque converter and some other items that I cannot remember right now. They noted that the Chrysler transmissions and many others are very easy to rebuild nowadays and that the cost usually isn't very high if performed honestly. Our van was a 96 Caravan and the rebuild was performed in July 04. It was wrecked and totaled one month later. We are now looking at vans again.
Spark plugs are good for 100K miles. Check your manual. We have original plugs in our 1996 Caravan at 78K miles and it is running fine. My experience is your hoses are still probably still OK too.
Sounds to me like your dealer has a boat payment due, and he wants you to pay for it.
Could you please let me know
1. How much it's going to cost for this transmission replacement approximately ?
2. I read in this forum that Chrysler, Detroit can be contacted for reimbursement, etc. Is it possible.
Thanks for all the reply and suggestions.
Anyone knows about transmission replacement?
Regards,
Agus
He said he sunk tons of dough at the transmission shop (not the dealer), but I forgot to ask him what a ton of dough is worth these days.
His wife is a bit of an enthusiastic driver around town and they pull a pop-up camper with it now and then.
Steve, Host
http://allpar.com/
http://allpar.com/fix/trans.html
BTW, the darlings of CR (Odyssey and Sienna) are now having transmission problems. Just go read in the problems forums for Odyssey and Sienna here in the Town Hall.
Thanks!
in for have of the repairs $700 total. Now I have a van with 140K two trans repaired for a grand price of $2900 in 38k miles. We were going to look at the new PACIFICA but who can keep putting in money for junk like this. HELLO LEXUS they might not be any better but they will stand behind it.
Now to make our government start working for us and not the car company s. If they build junk make them recall it and not suck up to the big 3 any more.
Thanks Again for taking the time to share your valuable experience!
Chrysler upgraded the tranny fluid in 2000 to ATF+4 which is a semisynthetic. From what I have read and heard the incidents of outright tranny failures has gone down tremoundously. I have a 2000 Chrysler T&C Ltd AWD that we purchased 2 years ago with 78k miles - no problems so far. I just replaced the tires it had when we purchased it. Planning on having the tranny serviced real soon and R&R the spark plugs also. It has 118K miles now so it's kind of overdue. Although it is running fine. Probably will replace the belts, and have the coolant replaced as well as the hoses.
Good luck in your search. Are you thinking of new or slightly used?
If anyone has any idea of what the problem could be, please write me back and let me know. i would like to help her out as she spent all the money they had on this vehicle and now are afraid to take it anywhere, and I would also like to learn myself what could cause such behavior.
Thanks much in advance!
Kevin
Just as an fyi, the tcm will default to 2nd gear(limp mode) when it has a hard error. Under these conditions you will only have 2nd and reverse. If either one of those fail then indications are you will need a rebuild or install a remanufactured unit. If you have to go that route a Mopar remanufactured unit is best as it comes with a 3/36 warranty.
Doug
FWIW, I just took a look at that web site, and to me at least, that stuff smells like Extract of Snake. Buyer beware, I doubt seriously that Chrysler would honor any kind of a warranty if they found this stuff in a transmission.
Best Regards,
Shipo
P.S.
You don't perchance work for/own the outfit responsible for this stuff. If so, you are in serious violation of the Membership Agreement here at the Town Hall.
Steve, Host
If you've found the dipstick, you've found the filler hole as well. Use a funnel into the dipstick tube.
There are a lot of warnings about being careful to not overfill it, so beware. I myself always have had some trouble checking the level as it never seems to be all that stable when the engine is running--churns the fluid enough to make it hard to determine how full it is. My 96 Caravan transmission is still going good at 81K miles, knock on wood!
Best regards,
Dusty
Yesterday I noticed a hard downshift from 2nd to first gear...around 5 miles per hour everytime I had to come to a stop.
further on i drove about 45-50 miles an hour and i heared a noise if a motorcycle was passing me but it was my engine's rpm's going like crazy,like it maybe slipped in neutral?
I stopped the car immediately and put it in park and turned the cruisecontrol off.I put it back in drive and drove home no problems.
Anybody an idea or do I just need a rebuild tranny?
I believe you're best bet is to get this done at a dealer. You need to use the correct fluid in this vehicle. I think it's ATF+4 for your car. You use the wrong fluid and your problems will really begin to multiply.
Back then i did not know about the importance of the right fluid like ATF+3 or ATF+4....But if they used the wrong fluid(i think i did it at a quick lube place)wouldn't it gave me problems earlier??
thanks
Here are the most common transmission problems (for Chryslers) from the Allpar site. Forum rules will not let me post a link:
# Incorrect transmission fluid (cost: $40-60) - most common problem!
# Solenoid pack (cost: about $60-$150 plus labor. May just be clogged.)
# Computer needs retraining (cost: time)
# Computer firmware needs upgrade (cost: Chrysler dealer should do this for free; may be up to $200)
# Incorrect filter used
# Loose electrical connection (cost: time)
# Leaking seals (cost: rebuilding)
# Torque converter problems - see the bump shift section
If it were me, and I wasn't positive what type of fluid I had in my transmission, I'd get it changed. If the transmission started to shift normally after the change, in six months I'd change it again, just to make sure that the old fluid is being replaced.
You want to stay away from a rebuild if you possibly can. This would be my first step.