Transmission problem after a visit to a quick-lube

I have a 2003 Dodge Caravan with 76,000 miles on it. I've never had the first problem with this van at all. Today, I stopped into a quick lube shop that I have been going to for the last 2 years. This place has a very good reputation and has won the local Newspaper's award for best place to have your vehicle serviced for the last several years in a row.

I wanted an oil change and to have the automatic transmission serviced. This is the first time I've had the transmission serviced since I've owned the van (I've owned it since it brand new).

Before I had the vehicle serviced, the technician said that I would have to sign a waiver on the transmission stating there were no problems with the transmission before it was to be serviced and that they wouldn't be held liable for any problems after it is serviced. This was my first warning, which I ignored because, as I mentioned, I trusted this place. The technician stated that they've had problems in the past with people who have bad transmissions, they bring it in to have it serviced, and then turn around and hold them liable for problems that were pre-existing before they brought it in. I went ahead and signed and told the technician that I have never had a problem at all with the transmission.

When the servicing was finished, I pulled the Van out on the highway, got it up to about 50mph, then started to slow down as I came to a stoplight. When I approached 30mph and the transmission downshifted from 3rd to 2nd gear, it jumped, kind of like a stutter, or a hiccup. I drove another couple of miles down the road and it kept doing the same thing. I had no problems at all except for when I brought the vehicle down to 30mph and it downshifted, it would do this little stutter every time. No problems at all shifting upwards through the gears, and no problems at all downshifting through the gears, except for what I assume is going from 3rd to 2nd gear when the van is decelerating around the 30mph mark.

I drove the van right back to the quick lube place and they all immediately got wide-eyed and defensive saying that there's nothing they could have done to cause me having a problem like that and that it must have been something pre-existing. They reminded me of the form that I signed and they said that I needed to take it to a dealer and have them look it and there was nothing they could do for me. They did bring the van in and check all the fluid levels again and said they were fine. The technician also appeared to have put some kind of additive in the fluid this time, but he never explained to me what it was. He told me to drive it a day or two and see if it goes away and if it doesn't, then to call a dealer.

I am absolutely infuriated by this whole scenario and I feel like a schmuck for signing that form. What recourse, if any do I have here?

So sorry for your problems. I'm sure you will get more responses for this but what I'd do is take it to the dealer. A good dealer. Call one and explain the situation and if they sound head smart take it there and have them check it.
The dealer can check for the problem on their computer which may lead to something simple. Do gain some knowledge here with the replies so when you take it to the dealer, if you go that route, your not wondering as much.

Couple possibilities,

Wrong fluid type,
TCM needs flashed - resetting pressure points.

Another thing you might do is check for codes. See if you got a trans. code. To check for codes on yours - put key in ignition, turn to assc, then off - di this 3 times and watch your mile/trip readout, write down any "P" codes. When it says done, you can do it again if you missed something. And post back! Thanks

Thanks for the response.

I went out and tried what you suggested, turning the key to accs 3 times. The message flashed 'done', but no codes ever appeared, it just went straight back to the odometer mileage reading.

Well thats a good sign. The change in fluid can cause the shift/pressure points to be off, flashing takes care of that, of course it will cost for that. This happened to mine - and the dealer changed the fluid - at that time I was unaware of all this, or asking/telling the dealer to check the shift points, well I ended up buying a new transmission because the dealer I used to go to wasn't aware of it either, or lazy.

Do you know what kind of fluid they put in? Have you checked your fluid level? Is it good?

And in the morning I will call my dealer who told me all this and ask about what you may need to do and post back. Maybe they, or someone else that may reply here, may know something I don't.

Couple other things you may check, and try. Check battery connections. Disconnect battery and let set for a couple minutes then reconnect. Check the ground strap for the transmission, down by where the engine/trans meet, left of the left speed sensor(input), down towards starter. I will check back in a few...

Mine had 68 something when this happened and it shifted perfect before all this. I just figured well I guess I should treat her, the van, to a transmission flush, and this is what happened.

Did they do a flush or did they remove pan to change tranny filter also?

Sounds to me like they did not use ATF+4 fluid, they used a supposed universal fluid and added a additive they claim to make it equal to the ATF+4 fluid. I would change filter, if they just flushed and not a filter change very well may have plugged the filter.

Hi, now hear this loud and clear, WRONG FLUID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! , Did you hear it? Good luck, Clay..

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've got an appointment to take it to a transmission shop tomorrow.

With all due respect to the posted above, it may not have been the wrong fluid.

I did my own transmission/filter change at 80K in a 2001 T&C 3.8 2wd. It showed that exact problem you mention. The filter was the genuine chrysler filter and the ATF was the Castrol ATF+4 - the CORRECT FLUID.

A quick trip to AAMCO where they did the computer thing corected the problem.

This problem is a known problem with these transmissions. Look around at some of the other forums and you will see it is common and it is easy to fix.

I lost my first tranny after a fluid and filter change with Castrol +3. If you want to be sure, use the MOPAR fluid....the EXACT fluid the manual and Chrysler calls for...and NO other. Why risk a $3000 tranny for a few bucks worth of fluid.?

Get whatever crap they put in out of there and make sure you get the RIGHT fluid. It IS critical on these stupidly finicky vans.

Let us know what happens.

So sorry for your problems. I'm sure you will get more responses for this but what I'd do is take it to the dealer. A good dealer. Call one and explain the situation and if they sound head smart take it there and have them check it.
The dealer can check for the problem on their computer which may lead to something simple. Do gain some knowledge here with the replies so when you take it to the dealer, if you go that route, your not wondering as much.

Couple possibilities,

Wrong fluid type,
TCM needs flashed - resetting pressure points.

Another thing you might do is check for codes. See if you got a trans. code. To check for codes on yours - put key in ignition, turn to assc, then off - di this 3 times and watch your mile/trip readout, write down any "P" codes. When it says done, you can do it again if you missed something. And post back! Thanks


Turns out that the Transmission Control Module did in fact need to be flashed again. Thank god it only cost me $80 from the transmission shop.

Thanks for posting fix. Glad to hear inexpensive fix.

My tranny took about two weeks to go south after the fluid change...but I only drive it every few days so it wasn't very many miles. You still need to get whatever the lube shop put in out of there and put the correct fluid in...not just any fluid with the +3 additive. Those trannies can last a long time with proper maintenance, not overtorquing them (jackrabbit starts), and the right fluid. Emphasis on the RIGHT fluid.

Good luck!

I lost my first tranny after a fluid and filter change with Castrol +3. If you want to be sure, use the MOPAR fluid....the EXACT fluid the manual and Chrysler calls for...and NO other. Why risk a $3000 tranny for a few bucks worth of fluid.?

Get whatever crap they put in out of there and make sure you get the RIGHT fluid. It IS critical on these stupidly finicky vans.

Let us know what happens.
SO true. I went to Expressway here in Connecticut, knowing that Caravans were fussy about fluid type. Good thing I knew that too... because I asked questions and the guy behind the counter admitted to me that they don't use ATF-3 or ATF-4... they "mix" a concoction to "behave" like Mopar fluid, only better, he said. Also, their idea of "transmission service" is simply a flush, which does not include replacing the filter. Needless to say, they didn't touch my tranny.

If your guys didn't use genuine Mopar fluid, frankly, I'd be infuriated too.

Oh, make SURE you blow all the stuff out of the lines and tranny cooler, replacing it with the correct fluid type too!

Turns out that the Transmission Control Module did in fact need to be flashed again. Thank god it only cost me $80 from the transmission shop.

I am so glad to hear that! Is it still shifting good?