1998 voyager trans problems

I have a 1998 pymouth voyager with 3.3 motor.Transmission rebuilt 50,000km ago. It operates fine and while driving on the highway, it shows "service engine" and rpms are high- 3000 @ 100 km/h. Seems to be stuck in 2 gear. If I place car in nutral and turn off/restart car drop into drive all is well. The light stays on but transmission operates fine.It does not do this all the time. It seems to do it once in awhile. The transmission shops can not fine any codes and it ussually is working fine when they check it out. The fluid level is fine and oil colour is good. I have not changed the filter or oil yet as I may trade it in,or sell in the near future. Is there somethig that I could check or repair this myself? Is it a computer problem? Or solenoild pack issue?:screwy: Thanks,George.

It sounds like you have an intermittant "Limp Mode" problem. It is a very difficult one to troubleshoot unless you have a DRBIII. (Chrysler scan tool) They are very expensive, about $2400 US. So your best bet is to go to a Chrysler dealer and ask them to do a scan. It will tell them the condition of the transmission sensore TCM (controller) and the amount of wear on each clutch pack.

You could always try changing the fluid and filter first. A surprising amount of things can be fixed by doing this. However, you must use Chrysler ATF+4 fluid. Otherwise you will be guarenteed to destroy the transaxle quickly. If you know it doesn't have this in it, you can buy enough (about 12 qts) and do a flush yourself. You can get this at Walmart for about $4.50/qt.

Start by changing the filter and refilling the pan. Then disconnect the trans cooler feed line from the cooler (the one on the right side looking from the front or drivers side) and use another piece of hose to extend it and pot it in a container. Start the engine and run it long enough to dump about 2-3 qts and then shut it off. Refil the trans and repeat until you have used about 10 qts total. Then reattach the hose and re-check the level and refil as necessary.

If this doesn't fix the problem, I suggest bringing it to the dealer. Be aware that not all dealers want to do the scan. Some will and some won't.

You do not have to go to the dealer for this,It went up to $100.00 for labor and is about $60.00 diagnostic fee.The Mastertech 3100 made by Vetronix and the Snap On scan tool will do the same.I know a transmission shop that uses the Snap On scan tool on Chrysler electronic transmissions.The mastertech 3100 will do the same.

I have had many issues with my transmission. The most common is the speed sensors. That faut does Show on a OBDII Scanner, they are cheap, invest in one, about $100.

I have replaced the solenoid pack also. From what you say it sounds like a speed sensor issue since it jumps into limp mode. Either buy a scanner or take it to a shop and have them scan it when the service engine light is on, for a fee they will tell you what it is.

Last time the speed sensors acted up I removed and cleaned them, that was a year ago.

Stay away from the dealer.

I own a 1991 caravan and unfortunately have had a LOT of trouble with the transmission. I also had a transmission rebuild by the dealer which lasted me just past the 5 year warranty. I had since put in a new engine so I again had the tranny rebuilt. I would try the suggestions above, but just be aware that you will always have issues with the tranny on your van, just what happens with these.:banghead:

You won't necessarilly have problems. I just depends on who rebuild it. If done correctly and you don't do burnouts, it should last the life of the van. There are many with well over 140,000 miles. It is just these have gotten a bad rap because most do not rebuild them correctly and the early ones were full of problems.

I bought the scan tool and I get codes 1776 and 700. Unfortunetly when ever I the service engine light goes on ,I am never close to a transmission shop.What do these codes mean as I can not find them in the booklet.Dealer wants $69.00 to tell me after scaning on there system. Thanks,George.

What scan tool did you buy? The codes for the transaxle are all 2 digit numbers.

I used the OBDll scanner.All these codes come up as 4 didgits.

Your codes are P0700 and P1776. Plug them in here: http://www.iequus.com/support/obd2_definitions.php

code p0700 is genneric transmission control system.Meaning fault with unit. Code p1776 Soleniod switch valve latched in the LR position. So does this mean that I need a new soleniod pack? Thanks.George.:sly: :confused:

I got anew code error p1787 hydrollic pressure switch:od.i guess I have to bring it in.