2001 Intrepid - Transmission slow to engage when cold

It just started about a week ago. When the car is cold and I shift it into gear there is a delay. Eventually it shifts into gear and then every thing is fine. Any ideas...is this the "limp" syndrome?:screwy:

1st Check the fluid level.
If the fluid has been changed (ever) try to find out for sure what fluid was used.
These transmissions can only use Mopar ATF+4 anything else will make them die. If you have more than about 60K miles on it and it has never had a fluid/filter change, have it serviced, but only at a Dodge Dealer or reliable shop that uses only the proper Mopar Fluid.
If it still doesn't work after fluid/filter change you probably have a bigger problem. Also, when it is at the Dodge Dealer, they can read the codes from the trans controler and determine the amount of wear the clutches have.
It is a common habit for people to change gears from reverse to drive without completely stopping. This will wear the 1st gear and reverse clutches out in a hurry. Pay close attention to your habit of switching between reverse and drive. If you are one of those people who switch while you are still creeping back (or forward) you can pretty much answer your own question as to why the trans it slow to engage (clutches are worn to a nub).

One of the speed sensors is bad,only common problem.The 1998 and up transmissions do not go out and most auto salvage yards do not sell them at all,they stay on the shelf.There is a drawback on the mopar ATF+4 fluid,$5.00 a quart and that is a rip off.You can use Dextron,but put in an addative called LubeGuard(black bottle) and turns the Dextron into the mopar fluid somehow

May I ask where you heard that from? I've worked @ Chrysler and specialized in their transmissions and never have I heard of that. The TSB that came out about 5 years ago says that nothing else is compatible, if ATF +3 is in it, you can use +4 but can't put +3 if +4 is already in it. Also, the cost of the fluid is because it's a synthetic. Synthetic motor oil is around $5 a quart, so it seems logical to pay that amount for ATF +4. Just curious, I was told to never use anything else because it's a sure death for Chrysler tranny's using other tranny fluids. In addition, how could a faulty speed sensor cause a delay in gear engagement? Even if the output speed sensor was defective, it would still engage, though it would operate in limp mode only.One of the speed sensors is bad,only common problem.The 1998 and up transmissions do not go out and most auto salvage yards do not sell them at all,they stay on the shelf.There is a drawback on the mopar ATF+4 fluid,$5.00 a quart and that is a rip off.You can use Dextron,but put in an addative called LubeGuard(black bottle) and turns the Dextron into the mopar fluid somehow

May I ask where you heard that from? I've worked @ Chrysler and specialized in their transmissions and never have I heard of that. The TSB that came out about 5 years ago says that nothing else is compatible, if ATF +3 is in it, you can use +4 but can't put +3 if +4 is already in it. Also, the cost of the fluid is because it's a synthetic. Synthetic motor oil is around $5 a quart, so it seems logical to pay that amount for ATF +4. Just curious, I was told to never use anything else because it's a sure death for Chrysler tranny's using other tranny fluids.


Right on there FREAKnasty82
You can not make ATF +4 out of dextron. :grinyes: :lol:
Slow cold engagement is not a speed sensor.
May be telling you it needs serviced.
They just love good clean filters and do not forget ATX+4 like that dip stick and owners manual says.
MT

Yes,Lubegurd(I misspelled it,Black bottle like I mentioned) can change Dextron into the mopar fluid.It says on the bottle even.Some auto parts stores sell Lubegurd.I have never replaced a transmission yet in a 1998 and up Concorde or Intrepid and one of the speed sensors was bad.

Here is Lubegard's website(misspelled it again): www.lubegard.com It is is the highly modified atf suppliment

Yes,Lubegurd(I misspelled it,Black bottle like I mentioned) can change Dextron into the mopar fluid.It says on the bottle even.Some auto parts stores sell Lubegurd.I have never replaced a transmission yet in a 1998 and up Concorde or Intrepid and one of the speed sensors was bad.

Well lubegurd is a good additive and does help on some torque and clutch shudder and also give a little extra lube on older trans.
But it does not change dexron 111 completley over to ATF+3. as claimed.
Ask any good cry trans man about how many trans failures they have had from people trying to do that. :grinyes: :lol:
Also a lot quick lubes try that same thing one fluid fit all with a little dope and ruin a lot of trans.:grinyes: :lol:
Also there is no way it can change dexron 3 to the new syn ATF+4 cry fluid.
If it calls for atf+3 or ATF+4 you need to use newer ATF+4.
No way out of it if you want your trans to live to a ripe old age.
MT

I am not convinced that an additive to standard transmission fluid can transform it to a ATF+4 synthetic equivelant. I was told that part of the problem with Dex/Mer fluid is the detergent additives that the fluid has is not compatible with the clutch material of the trans and causes it to breakup in flakes, that causes the passages and filter to get plugged, resulting in total trans failure. I still think you should use ATF+4 and not an additive. BTW has anyone of you used Amsoil Synthetic ATF in their FWD Mopar?

I'm glad to see that there is some voice of reason here. MT-2500, you are probably like me seen many tranny failures due to lack of proper fluid. I may be getting far ahead of myself, but I would like to see chemically how lubegard transform Dexron to ATF+4. There's an old shadetree way when Chrysler used 7176 Mercon V was partly compatible, so Dexron, which by the way is a GM based fluid, has no compatibility on Chrysler transmissions. As neon rt said, the first thing to suffer is the filter. After the filter's toast, the solenoid pack can't fluid the fluid. Once those two components fail, you have cavitation and then total transmission failure. Wafrederick, do you still have the same customers come to your shop who you've done that too? How long has it been since you did that? I am not here to criticize you or belittle your opinion, I'm just showing you what I know and have seen from personal experience with working at Chrysler and tearing down & rebuild trannys that if you use OEM and not some cheap aftermarket brand, you'll save yourself hundreds if not thousands. If you want to do that, that's your choice, but I will never use that or any tranny fluid in my car on in my customers cars.

I'm glad to see that there is some voice of reason here. MT-2500, you are probably like me seen many tranny failures due to lack of proper fluid. I may be getting far ahead of myself, but I would like to see chemically how lubegard transform Dexron to ATF+4. There's an old shadetree way when Chrysler used 7176 Mercon V was partly compatible, so Dexron, which by the way is a GM based fluid, has no compatibility on Chrysler transmissions. As neon rt said, the first thing to suffer is the filter. After the filter's toast, the solenoid pack can't fluid the fluid. Once those two components fail, you have cavitation and then total transmission failure. Wafrederick, do you still have the same customers come to your shop who you've done that too? How long has it been since you did that? I am not here to criticize you or belittle your opinion, I'm just showing you what I know and have seen from personal experience with working at Chrysler and tearing down & rebuild trannys that if you use OEM and not some cheap aftermarket brand, you'll save yourself hundreds if not thousands. If you want to do that, that's your choice, but I will never use that or any tranny fluid in my car on in my customers cars.

10-4 on using the right fluid. Not only on cry trans but all makes.
I can not understand why people want to risk burning up a 2500$ trans by trying to save few dollars.
There is no way a additive like LubeGard can change the type of fluid over to another type.
It is a good additive but only for what it is made for.
Extra lube and it does help reduce clutch shudder on certain trans.
They are full of crap on the claim of making any kind of fluid with a bottle of it and the parts place that seel it are full of crap when they tell it will and the people that use it are only brainwashed by there claims.
The parts houses and quick lubes and even some repair shops are only cutting there own ticket by selling it.
They could make just as much or more by selling the right fluid and save there customers from a trans rebuilt trans.
But maybe they are in the hopes of making a few more dollars on a trans job when the crap starts to ruin the clutches burns up the trans.

Bottom line is the only good additive is no additive, Just a new filter and new fluid of the right kind will do you and help your trans live to a ripe old age.
MT

Actually MT-2500, I touched on the conspiracy theory in another post a long time ago. Shops intentionaly put in the wrong fluid, with (if needed) an addative, knowing that the trans will fail in a year or so and then either refer them to a shop they have interest in or offer a Special Deal to rebuild it themselves. Then based on whether you pay for the extended three year warranty or not, they refill the trans with either the wrong fluid or the correct fluid. My experience comes from an ordeal my mother-in-law went through with @@mc0.

Actually MT-2500, I touched on the conspiracy theory in another post a long time ago. Shops intentionaly put in the wrong fluid, with (if needed) an addative, knowing that the trans will fail in a year or so and then either refer them to a shop they have interest in or offer a Special Deal to rebuild it themselves. Then based on whether you pay for the extended three year warranty or not, they refill the trans with either the wrong fluid or the correct fluid. My experience comes from an ordeal my mother-in-law went through with @@mc0.

10-4 on that neon_rt. I read you loud and clear.
Some repair shops and people may just do it because LubeGard and parts places tell them it will work ok.
I have two parts suppliers that swear by it and claim it works OK!!!
But there is a lot of room for the conspiracy theory and a lot of places may do it on purpose when they know better. Like @@mc0 and quick lubes and what ever. The trans shops should know better and have no excuse and quick lubes should know better.
MT

Actually MT-2500, I touched on the conspiracy theory in another post a long time ago. Shops intentionaly put in the wrong fluid, with (if needed) an addative, knowing that the trans will fail in a year or so and then either refer them to a shop they have interest in or offer a Special Deal to rebuild it themselves. Then based on whether you pay for the extended three year warranty or not, they refill the trans with either the wrong fluid or the correct fluid. My experience comes from an ordeal my mother-in-law went through with @@mc0.

I believe that for a fact, though that is very hard, if not impossible to prove. You have to be there and watch the tech as he services your vehicle. And then have physical evidence to prove them wrong if you should go to small claims court. That's just shady business in my opinion but then again, very few shops in my area are honest.