Hi,
I have 96 grand voyager.
Currently 90K miles, transmission was changed at 38K (free by Chrysler).

Yesterday I was driving and felt thump (forgot starting from light and coming to a light). Tech meter reved and felt slippage. Talked to wife (primary driver) and she said a day before she observed slippage and tech going up.

Van is working fine now but I have it parked in the garage.
I have an appt. for Dodge dealer to look at it tomorrow.
My first reaction is to ask them to change tranny fluide.
NOTE: There is no likage on the floor (like previously before transmission blew up it had leaked).

Any advise and what to ask service dept?

Thanks,
Robert

Welcome to the forum. Save yourself $100 and take it to Autozone. They will connect a scanner and download any stored error codes free. Do this especially if you've seen the Service Engine Light come on on the dash. A code can steer you to the faulty part or system.

If you have the 4 speed 41TE tranny, there are no bands to adjust. If it's the 3 speed, they can try to adjust the bands. If anything besides ATF 3 or 4 transmission fluid is in it, such as Dexron, get it flushed out pronto. Make sure the stick reads full. Have the filter changed along with the fluid. Any more debrie in the pan besides sandy grit on the magnets means your tranny is checking out.

When they changed the tranny the first time, they should have changed the torque converter and flushed the fluid cooler or coolers. If this wasn't done, it could be why you're having problems now. It's a fairly common mistake. The converter and the cooler trap metal chips that the new tranny has to deal with and always loses. If this turns into another tranny change, make sure they get it done this time.

My 96 GC just hit 195K miles and still has the original tranny. They do last if you treat them right and if the people building them were in a good mood.

Hi Thanks,
I will swing by Autozone before taking to dealership.
I think I will ask them to change transmission fluide and filter.
There is no engine check light.
Since yesterday van has been running fine.
I had not done transmission service since it was changed first time so that might be the cause (I do tow camper twice a year).

Robert

Sounds to me as though you have the electronic 4-speed automatic. When the computer senses a problem, it will go into "limp mode", which is a sudden downshift and lock into second gear. Shutting off the ignition and restarting will reset the transmission.

These transmissions should have the fluid and filter changed every 30,000 miles under normal conditions or every 15,000 miles under severe useage conditions, like towing a trailer. Neglect will result in premature failure.

At a minimum, take it to Autozone, have the codes read and service the transmission. Then continue to drive it. If dropping into limp mode becomes a habit, call a transmission specialist, not the dealer. Otherwise, continue to drive it and service it regularly until problems return.

We have 105,000 miles on our 1998 T&C and no transmission issues to date. Fluid and filter have been replaced every 30,000 miles.

Let us know what you do and what you find.

Update:
I took the van to Autozone and the guy did free of charge diagnostic test for me. There is no engine check light or any codes.
Guy thought it was just low or very old (I think it's 6 years old) transmission fluide.
I dropped off the car to dealer with instruction to change transmission fluide and filter.

Robert

I have had similar problems with my 1999 4-speed in the past.

Check the Speed Sensors. They typically do not trip a fault code but they can pickup some residual metal dust and as they are magnetic it sticks.

This throws them off and causes a very hard shift, i.e a Thump as you describe.

Oce cleand and/or replaced typically it will be fine. Mine doe this about once per year.

Hi Thanks for that last note.
I picked up the van last night from the dealer.
They replaced the sensor, I had also asked them to do transmission flush and new filter.
They said tensionar for serpentine belt was frozen and the belt was cracked. I had them change those too.

I drove the van and it worked fine.
Next time I am going to change the trans fluide at 30K (If not sooner).

Thanks everyone for the advise.
Robert