95 3.5 tranny problem, Suggestions needed

Hey folks,

I am still having an issue with the tranny on my intrepid. The problem started as an intermittent limp in that would go away on restart. I had code 77 and 51 which indicated to me that the speed sensor (output) was bad. This was supported by the fact that the speedo would not work and then would. Limp in would go away after speedo worked. Recently, I made the mistake of having it towed to an auto-electric specialist because it died in the rain and would not start. As a result I paid a ton of cash to have someone put new spark plug wires in. It probably needed them, what hurts is that I should have known that and they wanted an hr of labor to put in new ones. That's 10 minutes a wire. (plus I had to pay an hr for them to tell me the obvious).

After those repairs were made the guy tells me that I am stuck in 2nd for good. I figure I may as well have an expert take a look so I asked him to diagnose it for me. The code that they got was 51.(default speed ratio in 1st) They supposedly tested something or other for an hr and told me it was the "nuetral safety switch". This is internal so they recommended a tranny shop. I took it to the tranny place and they installed a new switch (even though it is not called a nuetral safety switch) and some speed sensors. This did not solve the issue. Every light: park, drive, reverses, 1 and 2, are lit and the thing goes into limp after an attempt at shifting out of 1st. In fact when the car is started all of those lights are on, when I put it in drive they go out, except drive, then it tries to shift, goes into limp and all lights come back on. The tranny place assures me that it is not mechanical. So, I brought it to the "expert electrical guys" again. They do not seem to want to fix it as they are afraid it might take for ever and they may fail or something. (it has been 3 days and no word, I went by and it is still in the lot)

So, I have been looking through my factory service manual and seeing how this works. I guess I will have to figure it out myself. These guys are supposed to be the best in Buffalo and they aren't doin it. The dealer told me that it could take 10 hrs with no result and that I would be better off using that for a down-payment on a new car.

Does any one know of common solutions to this issue. It seems as though this switch is not working, so I bet there is no juice to it.

Does anyone know of a competent electrical guy in the Buffalo, NY area?

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thank you

Leonard Jacuzzo

usually, if all the lights on the gear selector light up means that the Park/Neutral Switch has gone bad. If the last shop that "replaced" it didn't replace it with a factory one, that could be the problem, with Chrysler tranny's there are extremely sensitive and require you to use OEM parts. If you want expert service, I would recommend going to a Dodge dealer because they have a scanner called the DRB III that is specifically designed to work on Chrysler vehicles in testing the various solenoids and switches on the transmission to see if something is at fault.

Thanks,

I will give the dealer a shot. It has a recalled shifter anyway so I'll have them check it out. Any alternatives to the switch? Maybe a bad ground, or short?

LFJ

The tranny shop is relatively well respected, They have gone out of their way to honor the warranty. The guy assures me that it is not a problem with anything on the Transmission. They even put another rebuilt tranny in to assure themselves of this, before they replaced the switch because it was reportedly bad. They threw in speed sensors too.

The dealership seems to discourage me from having them work on it. When I go there for the recall, they tell me that they don't have the part, but never call me when it comes in. They have literally suggested that I just get a new car. (even though mine is in fine shape) So I want to see what I can do myself. (besides I am broke)

Would the switch not work at all, ever, if it was non OEM or would it work for a while and then fail? It did not work at all.
Also, I was experiencing intermittent speed-sensor failure. These are on the same connector. Is this connector a known problem?

It had an aftermarket remote starter installed before I got it. I had it uninstalled as the previous owner had unsucessfully attempted to remove it before giving it to me. Could the wires coming off of the ignition switch cause this issue?

What if the starter motor relay is bad? Would this affect the ground to the MVLPS?

any help anyone could give would be fantastic.
LFJ

Hi all,

I feel goofy replying to my own post, but I thought I would tell you guys how things turned out. The problem turned out to be a couple of loose wires at the connector mounted near the passenger side strut tower. One went to the MVLPS and the other to the speed sensor. With these fixed up it runs fine. No problems in two weeks. Thank god for the Factory Service Manual, I could have spent a fortune on ill informed mechanics.
Thanks for the suggestions.

jacuzzo