transmission fluids...

I've been reading the threads about the importance of only using ATF-3 or ATF-4 transmissions fluid for Dodge Caravans. I have a 93 Plymouth Voyager that had a 3 speed transmission replaced last year at 116,000 miles and had my 98 Dodge Grand Caravan 4 speed transmission fluid changed at the same transmission place also. I didn't specify what fluid to use as I assumed they would've used the correct fluid. It's been bugging me to no end so I called the owner who I feel is a pretty straight shooter with me and asked him what was put in. He said they use the 7176 which I guess is the ATF-3 fluid but short of flushing the fluid myself, is there a way of knowing what fluid is in the transmission? I don't seem to be having any shifting problems currently. Are there warning signs or symptons?

I feel confident enough to drop the pan, change the fluid,filter and add maybe 5 quarts of fluid but not sure if I'm up to actually flushing the entire system.

Thanks,

Walt

OK here is the actual chrysler fix. Drop pan and drain, remove old filter to get more fluid out. Reinstall old filter and reinstall pan with rtv. Pour int 4.5 Quarts 7176 (Chrysler fluid) and drive for about 50 miles doing a lot of shifting at varying speeds. Drop pan and filter again and let drip till done (takes 2 hours) then install new chrysler filter and clean the pan and magnet reaseal. If you use rtv which is the factory method don't overdo it - you don't need a heavy bead. Pour in 4 Quarts 7176 and then warm the oil and adjust the level. Check for leaks and you are done!! You will need about 9 bottles 7176 for this. It's a flush done through dilution, and seems wasteful, but it works like a champ!!!

The first symptoms of wrong/degraded fluid are torque convertor clutch chatter during emcc shift. This is usually at speeds just around 40 mph with moderate road load when the computer begins to apply the torque convertor clutch partially to bring the engine speed closer to the input(turbine) shaft speed. Once the speed is pretty close, the computer commands full duty cycle to the clutch and locks it up. With the wrong fluid the frictional characteristics of this clutch become stickier and it "grabs" during partial lockup. The computer responds by letting off some pressure to release the clutch and then does it all over again - 140 times a second or so and will shake the daylights out of you and your van. If this is happening to you the 7176 fluid will definetely fix the prob. Sorry for the long techno ramble.....
Geoff

Thanks again Geoff, both transmissions appear to be shifting smooth, no shaking or vibration so maybe I'm just being a bit paranoid knowing how much these cost to repair. I'll try your method when it warms up a bit as I've got other vehicles I can drive in the meantime.

Walt

do you guys know if there is a drain plug on the torque converter so it can be drained also?

Tom

This has been said before but Ill say it again. Never put any transmission fluid in to any Dodge/Chrysler other than ATF + 2 or ATF +3 or ATF +4 or 7176. Any garage or Transmission shop that states that they use Dexron plus an additive to bring it to ATF standards dont know what they are doing. Your Dodge tranny was engineered for a specific type of fluid as are other manufactors , to use anything other than the proper fluid is going to cause real problems and lots of money. If you experience any shudder during moderate acceleration youve got the wrong fluid. This is one sign of wrong fluid but there are other signs to do with shift smoothness etc.