Hey thanx for looking at my post.
I searched the site but didn’t quite find what i was looking for.
I bought a new 2k Grand Caravan and was happy with it until it started giving my wife tranny problems around 14k mi
The symptoms were and are as follows;
The check engine light comes on and the transmission won’t shift (limp mode)
First the dealer replaced the valve body in the trans
Then a couple thousand miles later the same thing happened and they replaced the solenoid pack it was good for a while,
Then it did it again after the warranty was up and the dealer wont help me now.
I took it to an independent trans shop and they pulled the code for the solenoid pack
And quoted me $600.00
I just don’t believe it to be the problem, the dealer replaced it and it didn’t seem to do the trick, I feel there is another related problem somewhere I have read about the speed sensor and some relays & even that the trans isn’t cooled properly.
I never really found what seemed to “FIX” the problem, im open to any suggestions
I just limped it 300+ miles and it wasn’t any fun
Also I disconnected the battery several times along the way and it worked for a while
But went back into limp eventually
What about the trans fluid I did service it recently due to the ongoing Light & Limp problem, a pan leak and the mileage (50K) and I was told dexron 3 was acceptable.
Is it??
Well thanx in advance for any help
Kev

Try replacing the input and output speed sensors they are relatively cheap and have given a lot of these intermittent problems. GET THE DEXRON OUTA THERE!!!!! You must use chrysler fluid ATF +4 now I think. It is not that much more money even from the dealer. I would also try going to a different dealer and see if you can sneak some one on one with the tranny specialist. I find you get better service going in the back door he he he. He can ride along with you with the scanner plugged in reading live data maybe get an idea. Keep in mind that many techs are afraid of this tranny because they simply don't understand it and they find it easier to just rebuild the whole thing and hope they get the problem. Let me know what you find, and don't be suprised if the tranny needs a reseal job at the end of the day.

Ok I have a little more info
It is a 2000 not an “02” (I put 02 in the heading)
I pulled the codes today
P1788 Manufacture specific powertrain trouble code
P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction
Do these mean anything to anybody?

The problem is worse than it has ever been I don’t know if it’s due solely to the dexron or if the original problem is getting worse but I am planning on getting the right fluid in there (mopar atf+4??? Correct)
Well let me know what you think
Thanx again
Kev

It's either ATF+3 or ATF+4 not sure when the change occured but the dealer will definetely know. I'm gonna look into those codes for you right now

Geoff

you need to get the trans codes they should be 2 digit codes. P0700 tells me a fault code exists in the trans controller, now we need to know what fault it is and whether it is hard or soft(intermittent)
The snap-on scanner will read the trans codes :)

Hum, well that’s all the codes I got.
The 1788 and 0700 came from the scanner at checker auto parts the other day.
The 1766 came from a local trans shop a few months ago
they said it was for the solenoid pack .
maybe ill try to find another place to pull them.
I did change the fluid out to the +4 mopar stuff I took it for a test drive and it did seem to help it took a lot longer for the engine light to come on .
Im gonna change it again in a few miles.
I haven’t drove it again after that but when I got home I was checking the fluid level and when the fans came on one of them sounds like its going out.
What’s next? I wish I could just trade it in.
Well thanx for your help im gonna keep plugging away at it.
Thanx
Kev

OK that code is for one of the solenoids. Try removing and gently closing the terminals in the connector right on top of the solenoid pack. The connector is removed with a 5/16 nut driver. If it's really gimped chrysler has repair kits for these (new plug and pigtails) If this does not fix it get yourself a new pack. (You can get them from the aftermarket stores - they can get them from Transmission supply companies) Or you can get it right from chrysler for a bit more$. If you want to be sure you should still get the tech to ride along with you and scan the tcm - it will be worth the 75 bucks to know before you do all this work still a lot cheaper than rebuilding the trans.

Hey thanx for the quick reply I just got a chance to drive the van again and the light didn’t come on so that’s a major improvement over yesterday.
Tomorrow (fri) I’m going up skiing so that will be a good test and maybe I will change the fluid again on Saturday
Thanx again for your help
By the way I just put a bid in on a solenoid pack on e-bay and am watching a few others if I don’t get this one and I’m going to buy a tranny manual on ebay as well
See ya
Kev

I luv the BS with the fluid// dextron III or mercron III fluid works fine
in a 604 //606 transaxle. mopar-4 is desired when the car is driven in
colder climates due to a no OD condition when cold {thick oil}// piss poor engineering at it's finest

diagnosis with live readout to show the turbine {input} sensor {eng RPM} output sensor {VSS} .. if these read good //the trans should
try to shift if it faults right away after that //the best guess whould be the input drum has damaged snap rings FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Question for Trannyman52.....

If all this stuff about the wrong fluids is BS, then why has every 604 I've seen with dexron in it develop either shift shudder or torque convertor shudder that is exactly at the frequency of the computer's pulse width for the solenoids? (143 times/sec)? I've repaired many a shuddering transaxles with simple fluid change....

The 2000 Caravan requires ATF-4 Mopar fluid, for smooth none shuddering shifts.

ONLY USE DODGE ATF+4. Look all over any other site and they will tell you the exact same! Drain all of the Dexron out, put in ATF+4, run it 20 miles, drain it all out again, (This does a kind of flush) and then change the filter and put all ATF+4 back in it. Then, you will have to retrain your tranny! If this doesn't fix it, then try the codes.

Here is a great site on how to quickly fix your tranny:

http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

Its going to be about $200, but it should fix it right up!