trans in limp, no real reason found

hi every one

My 2000 gc went into limp mode a couple of days ago, the wife had it towed into the dealer, they said right away probably needs a new tranny, it never has showed any sign of wear or screwed up, shifts smooth and firm, had fluid change 50000 km ago. (175000km total)
Anyways, the dealer took of the pan and found clean fluid and the filter was not dirty, definitly not more than normal. they said they cleaned the valve assembly and put it back together, figuring/ hoping that would solve the problem and it did, for now anyway.
They did say though that codes read "internal problem" and that the codes are all clear. My question is should I be worried about this in the near future or is this normal, the dealer did not give any hope and said he did not know
whether it was really fixed now or not.
Any suggestions of info would be great, could this be a ground or wiring issue or is it really internal.

Thanks Leo

The electronic 4-speed automatic is computer controlled. The computer receives continuous inputs from various sensors that monitor operation. The computer will shift the transmission to limp mode when the computer detects an abnormal condition with the sensor inputs. The error detected by the computer when it shifts to limp mode should be stored on the transmission computer. These codes will clearly identify the fault condition.

You and your wife should be aware that you can reset the transmission by parking the vehicle, shutting it off and restarting it. For more details on reseting limp mode, read your owner's manual.

From the time I met my wife in 1995 until we sold it in 2000, we had a 1989 Grand Caravan with 4-speed automatic #3. My wife bought it new, replaced transmission #1 under warranty at 20,000 miles and transmission #2 at 121,000 miles, just before I met her. During the five years I was around the van, it shifted into limp mode on me once, in a heavy rain storm. I pulled over, reset the transmission and drove on normally. It never shifted into limp mode again from that point until we sold it two years later.

We have a 1998 Town & Country with 105,000 miles at this transmission has never shifted into limp mode to my knowledge. And believe me, my wife would let me know if it ever did!

I once test drove a 1992 Caravan with 4-speed automatic. Two miles into the test drive, it shifted to limp mode. I reset the transmission and drove another ten miles before it shifted into limp mode again. I passed on that van.

It is possible that your transmission computer had a glitch that caused a transit limp mode condition, like what happened to me in the 1989 van. I would not worry if it shifted to limp mode once and worked normally after reset. I would begin to worry if it begins to make a habit of going into limp mode or sticks there after a reset attempt, like the 1992 van I test drove. Keep driving it and see what happens. Remember that limp mode is designed to allow you to drive the car to the dealer or shop of your choice whether in limp mode or not. Driving in limp mode will not damage the transmission any more than it already is. The only time you need to call a tow truck is if the vehicle does not move under its own power.

One more thing, be careful who you take the car to for transmission service. Some unscrupulous dealers and shops will push you to replace the transmission at the most minor sign of trouble because they make more money that way. I am sure that more than one shop has charged the customer the price of a new rebuilt exchange transmission when all the did was change the fluid & filter and a speed sensor.

Keep us posted on what happens and what you do.

I had the same problem a few years ago on my 1999 G.C with the 4 speed.


2 Trans shops plus the dealer told me it needed a new tranny, then I found an honest tansmission shop. He could not clear the code and said it was an electrical fault. Put on a new soleniod pack and it has been fine ever since.

I would suspect it is the solenoid pack but you may want to try a few different places to get an opinion.

It could also be a power/ground glitch. It would be nice to know what codes they get when scanning.

Thanks everyone for the replies, some good points there, I dont know the codes it read, I wish I knew but they didnt tell me. Right now we put about 1000km on the van again with no issues, drives the same as it always did, hope it continues but am still a little worried about it. time will tell I guess. I will keep you guys posted if any problems occur.

Thanks again, Leo