Transmission Trouble '98 Caravan

Hi, I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan thats I having some automatic transmission trouble. When I first start the van in the morning, I have to let van warm up for about 5 minutes or else the trans wont go into gear. Ill shift it into drive and nothing will happen for about 15 seconds then it will slam into gear. Also when Im driving, the transmission will hang a little before it shifts from 1st to 2nd and will not shift from 2nd to 3rd until about 15 minutes after I start driving. I didnt really notice the problem in the summer, but now that its winter the problem seems to be worse the colder it gets. Once the transmission warms up it works fine. Ive checked the fluid and it is fine. Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be.

Thanks.

Sounds like you are either low on fluid, or have a clogged transmission filter, or both! Now for the questions.

Which engine and transmission do you have? The 2.4L and 3.0L engines usually have the 3-speed automatic (P-R-N-D-2-1). The 3.3L and 3.8L usually have the 4-speed, electronic transmission (P-R-N-D-3-L). I suspect you have the 3-speed since you didn't experience "limp mode'.

When you checked the fluid level, did you do so with the engine and transmission hot and with the engine idling and the transmission in "Park"? If not, your level reading won't be acurate.

When was the last time the transmission was serviced? The transmission fluid and filter should be changed every 30,000 miles. If not serviced regularly, the fluid will turn brown and the filter will clog.

What color was the fluid when you checked it? Was it bright red, as it should be, or reddish brown, or just plain brown?

Reply with your answers and I can give you a better diagnosis.

Yeh, Its the 3.0 with the 3-speed. This was my grandfathers van and he lived in Arkansas (I live in a Chicago suburb) so I dont know when the last time the fluid and filter were changed. Besides the fluid level looking to be a little overfilled the color looks more clear with maybe a little red. Ive checked the level while the van was running and in park. The van has 91,000 miles on it.

Ditto. Checking fluid condition on the dip stick barely gives you a peak. If the fluid level is good the first step in most tranny problem situations is change the fluid and filter. While in there look for metal flackes collected on the fluid pan. If you see anything more than the usual grit on the magnets, it's a sign of pending internal failures. Use only ATF-3 or ATF-4 fluid. Anything else can be a potential tranny eater.

Time for a fluid change, filter replacement and band adjustment. WARNING: A fluid suck out of the dipstick tube at Jiffy-Lube is not enough. The filter screen is inside the pan, as well as the low/reverse band adjuster. The kickdown band adjustment is on the exterior of the case. As stated before, use ATF-4 fluid. Don't let a mechanic or transmission shop sell you a new transmission.

Keep us posted on the outcome.

Grandson had similar [problems after a transmission fluid and filter (using Dexron not ATF+4), we dropped pan, replace filter and fluid with ATF+4
Wal-Mart)and no more problems.

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill post the results. Thanks.

Hi, I replaced the fluid and filter, but I didnt didnt adjust any bands. I used Valvoline ATF-4 Synthetic but Im still having the same problem. Could those band adjustments really be causing the problem Im having?