transmission

My 2003 Grand Caravan transmission is doing this herky jerky thing when it takes off from the stop position, but not all of the time. I back off of the gas and it settles back into normal shfting mode. Is my transmission on it's last leg or would a fluid change correct the problem?

I remember those days very well!! That stutter/vibrate/thud tranny deal. Well, in my experience, when you hit reverse and it backfires, make sure your Triple-A Roadside Assistance Policy is up to date :-)

I don't know what they use today; I had that garbage A604. Today, I drive a Chevy Venture.

Anyway, in my experience with these things (as an owner, not a mechanic -- I'm not a mechanic), the WORST thing you can do with these vans is service the tranny or let anyone drop that pan. Once you do, say goodbye. IMHO of course :-)

Truthfully... I'd try and sell it as soon as possible. I never had any good results from Caravan/Voyager transmission work, and I've had two (1990 and 1999). Never again!

the WORST thing you can do with these vans is service the tranny or let anyone drop that pan. Once you do, say goodbye. IMHO of course

Personally, I have found a transmission filter and fluid change fixes about one-third of all function problems I have encountered, over the past 28 years of car ownership.Often a filter is simply blocked with debris, causing low fluid pressure and a wide range of performance problems.

It definitely is worth a try.... its a lot cheaper than a rebuild, and it may help.

BTW DON'T "flush" the trans. Drop the pan, clean it out and change the filter.

Like I said I am not a mechanic... I'm only speaking from personal past experiences with two model years (though the 1990 Caravan Cargo was the worst of the two). I didn't have many serious transmission problems with the 1999 Voyager, but I wouldn't let anyone service it either. Tainted by the Caravan experiences.

Anyway that's just my opinion. I guess you can say I'm biased because of my past experience with the Caravan.

"rebuilt" trannys are not always 100% rebuilt... They reuse a lot of things, usually clutches... Your symptom sounds like another I had... By reusing clutches, the teeth on the clutches have wear already and then just wear down to nothing until they break off... I had 4 of the 5 clutches with NO teeth for the low gear and the last clutch has teeth as thick as a razor blade ready to break.. i have pics... I just changed the clutches and it was fine after that... VERY IMPORTANT... If you want to prevent that in the future, it is VERY important to not put it in drive while in reverse and vice versa (3 point turns)... This is why you never feel the shift in first or reverse; very smooth... If it "banged" or "jerked" into gear, it wouldn't last a year... MANY people just love to shift from reverse while the vans are still moving and they never hold the brakes when doing so...

Good luck
Mike

Hi Mike,

I'm one of those slow driver's on the road and one who takes great care with how I drive the vehicle. I would never "neutral drop" (or equivalent) my van because I know it's cause for damage. My cautious and safe driving habist come from my profession as a NYCTA bus driver. For me, driving is a way of life.

But you make some good points -- too late for me however. Hope the OP finds this info useful and makes the right decision, whatever that might be.

Well if the rebuilder reuses the clutches because they are "good" and they don't notice the teeth worn down, the fact that the case hardening on the teeth is gone, it won't take long to completely wear down...

It's just that IF anyone drives their trannys like I mentioned, they can have a hard time with failures...

If rebuilders know you're 'LIGHT' on the van, they will put MORE leftover crap in it.. Best to tell them that you put on 100,000 miles a year and you're a leadfoot driver... They don't wanna pull it out again for free in under a year! LOL

Mike

make sure you're not mistaking an engine running problem for trans issue. i has 2 different friends with bad transmissions that were engine problems, one needed plugs the other need a coil. tuneups fixed the trans

My 2003 Grand Caravan transmission is doing this herky jerky thing when it takes off from the stop position, but not all of the time. I back off of the gas and it settles back into normal shfting mode. Is my transmission on it's last leg or would a fluid change correct the problem?

My 03 (130k) is doing the same, but not from takeoff. It kind of bucks when shifting into 2nd. Not all the time, but definitely more than it was 16 months ago, when we first noticed it. Fluid is topped, red, and odorless. Having it looked at tomorrow by a trusted shop, and hoping it's not the end.

We had a 97 Grand Voyager that we had the tranny "rebuilt" at 150k for $800, and we were jipped, we found out later. They just cleaned it all out and put it back together. Luckily they refunded half the cost. 5k miles later, we had it truly rebuilt, and it was still running smoothly when we traded it in at 256k for our current van.

I agree about the engine issues being mistaken for a trans issue.. do you have any mil"s?? Could it be the shift sensor on the trans?? They go out like the sun is hot...

I agree about the engine issues being mistaken for a trans issue.. do you have any mil"s?? Could it be the shift sensor on the trans?? They go out like the sun is hot...

No light on, and no codes with the key dance. Oil is changed every 3,000, and DH just did a tune up a month ago (plugs, wires, filter). We've also replaced the radiator, alternator, battery, a/c compressor andf starter, all within 5 weeks. My brother seems to think it is a sensor. Headed off shortly to the shop.

Went to the shop, said he thought it was a tranny thing, sent me to the shop next door. Couldn't recreate it, and without a code or light, there's nothing he can do. Said it'll have to get worse before he can tell me what it is. Went back to the first shop and had them do a tranny service, fluid was dark, but no odor and no debris in the pan. On the way home (about 6 miles) it never did buck going into 2nd, but now about 25% of the time it downshifts rough into 2nd. DH told me when I got home that it has been doing that, but I drove a good 100 miles in the last 3 days, a lot in heavy traffic, and it never once did it.

Went to the shop, said he thought it was a tranny thing, sent me to the shop next door. Couldn't recreate it, and without a code or light, there's nothing he can do. Said it'll have to get worse before he can tell me what it is. Went back to the first shop and had them do a tranny service, fluid was dark, but no odor and no debris in the pan. On the way home (about 6 miles) it never did buck going into 2nd, but now about 25% of the time it downshifts rough into 2nd. DH told me when I got home that it has been doing that, but I drove a good 100 miles in the last 3 days, a lot in heavy traffic, and it never once did it.

Now it roughly downshifts into 2nd about 90% of the time. Still no engine light. Like it's traded the shuddering shift into 2nd for this. Any thought on if it is a sensor going out? I feel like I'm grasping at straws here.

Personally I would try the SEAFOAM tranny additive, it may clean the valve body, etc.

I used it on 93 that would hesitate to shift into gear, I did a fluid and filter change which did not fix the problem. Added the Seafoam and tranny worked properly when I sold the van.

Inexpensive fix if it helps.

Personally I would try the SEAFOAM tranny additive, it may clean the valve body, etc.

I used it on 93 that would hesitate to shift into gear, I did a fluid and filter change which did not fix the problem. Added the Seafoam and tranny worked properly when I sold the van.

Inexpensive fix if it helps.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

Personally I would not add anything to the trans, adding detergents or additives isn't gonna magically fix the trans, something dumb as u said a sensor intermittenly phasing in and out, have u chnaged the output sensor?? Try this and see what ya get... there could be so many things that again would require an overhaul but additives are trash.