Question a/b repair

Hey, I know this isn't the Dodge Forum... but I'm always here, and figured this was more of a general question (for an ATX transmission)...

Well, my mother and I were on the way to work the other morning (I rode with her, I didn't have my stealth back together yet)... and she went to accelerate (not hard) and the transmission seemed to slip... it went into a thing explained as "Limp Mode" where the van would only stay in second gear, to "limp" to a service station... when you first start it... it will go into 1st then 2nd then 3rd... it was always slipping in third... (so it seemed) ... then it would limp... we took it to a very respectable local shop... he's taken several days before getting to it... but now he's worked on it and said he had to replace the "Crank sensor" ... ok, I'm assuming he means Crankshaft Postition Sensor... to my understanding... if this sensor is bad, the vehicle will not crank... am I correct? would that make it seem like it was slipping, and begin to limp? any ideas or help would be great... b/c we're looking at a ~$1400 repair bill... I wanna make sure it's right...

What year is teh van?

sry, I forgot... It is a 1996 (yes, OBDII) Grand Caravan with the 3.8l

Well OBDII, if it's in safety mode, should still throw a code that can be read. You should ask him what the code was exactly and that should lead you somewhere. If this guy is trustworthy, he should be able to answer your questions straight.

I do think $1400 for a CAS is a bit much, but I have a really good mechanic who doesn't screw me...so I maybe spoiled.

well, this guy is really respectable, and everyone has referred us here... I've had some bad experiences with other local guys but he seems straight... not to mention it was kinda reassuring to see his shop and parking lot full of paying customers...
I've actually been reading... most of the cars with this engine don't give a code when the sensor goes out (not sure why), but most of them don't crank... so it just seems a little odd to me... and I didn't realize the sensor was on the transmission...

oh, BTW... the check engine light never comes on... hence, no codes being thrown out there...

crankshaft possition sensor is not on the trans, and will cause the engine to not run right. Just ask him about it and see what his explaintion is.

huh, not on the tranny? read this (I don't really know, but this guy says he did it) http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=489969&goto=nextnewest

Also, we got the detailed invoice... included in the bill was a planet gear and a shim... (flush and all that good stuff too)...

A tranny code wont throw a CEL (check ENGINE light), but it will save a code in teh ECU if I'm not mistaken. Hotshot would know for sure. I know in other cars, a tranny code will cause a different light to flash...sometimes the D4 light near the shifter...don't know about a caravan specifically, but if it went into safe mode, chances are it saved a code.

ah... actually I got some codes (on the invoice)... they are 53-36-57-74... I don't know that you can help with that... but jic...