Check Engine, Speedometer, Shifting = Speed Sensor

Thanks to this forum, I was able to quickly diagnose the problem with our 99 T&C LXi w/3.8L.

Problem: No speedometer, wouldn't shift, check engine light came on.

Many posts suggested speed sensor. There are actually 2 of them. An input and an output. Both cost approx $20 each.

By removing the aircleaner box assembly, I had the best (relative word) access to the sensors. A 1" socket w/3" extension did the trick.
- I understand the access for 2000+ models is different.

I completed the work in around an hour...and a couple of Coors.

Thanks for all the help.

Suggestion for all future posts - consider use of key words in subject line to better enable persons to search the posts.

Pardon the suggestion of keywords on the posts...I was referring to another forum - folks here do well.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POST.
WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS YOURS.

Just started today 10-15-04

50K miles 1999 Chrysler Town and Country

I would like to replace the sensor myself as well.

How did you figure out HOW to replace the sensor or
even where it was located ?

Do you have any web links or docs you can forward to me
on how to do do it ?

Thx

This just happened to me last night as well on my 99 Dodge Caravan.

Is it correct that if the transmission doesn't shift out of second, won't go above 45 mph on the freeway, engine racing, and the speedometer does not work and the check engine light comes on that this problem is definitely the speed sensor(s) ?

I would also like to replace them myself so would like a link to a webpage that describes the procedure.

Thanks in advance,
Duncan

Hello,

You are correct, the VAN is probably in 'Limp Mode' which keeps the van
in 2nd gear.

When the problem first happened, I took the van over to AutoZone,
and they were able to diagnose the reason why the
service engine soon light came on. They put a tester
on the car, that produced several diagnostic codes.
One of the diagnostic codes pointed to a malfunctioning
input sensor. BTW this was a free service. The dealership
wanted $85

Also you can tell which sensor is not working by determining
if the odometer is functioning or not. The output sensor is connected to
the odometer. If the odometer is working then the input sensor
is the problem. If the odometer is NOT working then the
output sensor is the problem. (I found this information on the
web as well)

I went to my local Chrysler Dealership parts department, and purchased an input sensor
for about $25. The dealership also provided me with a printout or diagram
of where the sensor was located.

In order to locate the sensor, I had to remove some vacuum tubing that was connecting
to the air filter. Once I remove the tubing, I was able to locate the sensors.
You will need a 1 inch socket wrench with a 3 inch extension to remove it.
I was able to remove the output sensor with a 1 inch crescent wrench.
I initially removed the wrong sensor. :-)

I am not mechanically inclined, and it took me about 3 hours to fix.
Fortunately the input sensor and output sensor are not interchangeable.

hth

Good luck

hth, thanks for the reply. Yesterday I had already decided to go ahead and replace both sensors ($18 each at Autozone, the only non-dealer store I could find that carried them.) I also picked up a Caravan repair manual at Autozone that showed where the sensors were. I figured for under $50 it was worth a shot.

Runs great now! Not a difficult repair at all. The hardest part was getting the wrench down in there.

Anyway, thanks for the info, this is a great forum. I feel like an ace mechanic even though I know nothing about cars, and an empowered consumer since the local garage wanted to send the van to a transmission shop.

Thanks again,
Duncan

I am having this same issue, and will try replacing the speed sensors. I am sure this will solve it, and want to thank you guys ahead of time! TTYL-

-Rick-

OK, I did the job last night and now the check engine light is gone, and I can shift into 3rd!! Thanks again everyone!
BTW- the sensor is mounted at the end of the tranny under the battery, and is near a huge wire bundle that I had to move out of the way.

-Rickeolis-

This thread has been an eye-opener for me. Thanks for the great information so far.

I stumbled across this thread when looking to figure out what's going on with my 1995 Dodge Caravan. One pothole, and now my speedometer doesn't work (though it jumps every so often), and the shift transitions seem late or sketchy - particularly between second and third at highway speeds (it actually feels like it's jumping between them every couple of seconds or so).

I was truly hoping I wasn't looking at a full transmission repair. And thanks to you guys, I won't be talked into one so easily!

By the diagnostic tricks mentioned above, I guess I can presume I should start with the output speed sensor. So my quick questions, if anyone might humor me, are:

1. Are Dodge/Chrysler dealerships the only place I can get these things? We don't have AutoZone in Hawaii, but we do have Checker Auto Parts and a couple of independents.

2. Where is this sensor? Are both input and output in the same place, by the air filter? Do I attack from above or below. Bhoward mentioned that the input sensor was hard to reach, but that the output sensor was accessible with only a 1-inch crescent wrench.

Considering that the most mechanical thing I generally do is change oil and flat tires, any "total newbie" advice you can give for finding my way around under the hood would be appreciated.

I have a 1995 Dodge Caravan. It to is not shifting out of 1st 2nd gear, speedometer is not working either,neither is the odometer. Auotozone,O'Reilys cant put it on a tester because they don't have adapters for 95's. Transmission shops want $50 to $100 to test the van. They will surely tell me I need a transmission.They have to pay the rent. I can barely afford my own rent ,I don't need to help them with theirs. Thats why Im driving a 95 van. We love the van and hope we can repair it. Any suggestions as to if it is an input sensor or output sensor or both? THANK YOU!