EveryOne with Transmission problems... Read This...!
A Chrysler Secret...!
well good morning everyone...
first post here... and I have been busy...
our 97 Dodge Caravan SE Sport with a 3.3 and the a604/41te transmission...
The tranni just Stopped working from a red light... "Limp Mode" 200miles away from
home, with No warning...
-1st gear, 2nd gear, reverse, neutral, and park... Only...
it shifts through 1st to 2nd fine... but when it attempts to shift into 3rd...
it Jumps to Neutral... until the engine and road speed get close together, then it Locks
2nd gear...
Then the computer pops up code #45 -EATX Controller has sent a DTC
it is the TCM (Transmission Control Module) on the passenger sidewall that controls
the Seloenoid Pack on the transmission so it will shift...
this is also called the EATX Controller...
ALL the Garages state i Need a new transmission, or a rebuilt one...
ALL the Dealers state the same thing...
"2000.00 Dollars" on average...!
ALL the manual's claim it is a direct fault that is emissions related...
So... i would not accept the mechanics or the dealers thought's...
This can't be right... Everything was Fine... and we All know transmissions will
give you some indication of internal fault... Prior to going out on you...
when Everyone is telling you it is slipping... they are Wrong...!
Neutral is not an engagement of the clutches....
When a tranni slips... you can still go forward... just have to gas it more as the
bands/clutches slip...
You still have forward motion...
NO Tranni will start to slip, and go right to being gone instantly...!
it is physically impossible, with normal daily driving...
So I replace the Solenoid pack on the side of the tranni... thinking, maybe the fluid
is Not flowing through the channels correctly... the Solenoid Pack is what physically
shifts this tranni...
Nope... that was Not the problem...
So I replace the input and output speed sensors...
Nope... that was not the problem...
hmmm...
So I replace the EATX Controller... because this controls the Solenoid Pack...
Nope... that was not the problem...
Still code #45
I noticed that a piece of folded paper was wrapped up with the EATX Controller I bought...
and what do you know... it Also states that this is an Emissions related fault...
So... I call the 1-800 hotline... 1-800-866-6727 then press 1 then press 4 to speak with Miguell...
M-F 8am-5pm eastern time... he will tell you... this guy talks...!
the guy tells me a little secret that Chrysler has...
on ALL a604 transmissions... there is a splice point... to make these transmission work properly...
that splices together a red wire from the Solenoid Pack, a red wire from the TCM/EATX, and a wire from
where the EATX Relay is plugged in...
The TSB Addendum was sent out to the production line...
Because they where having the Same problem... Right from the Get Go...
they spliced the three wires together, capping off the remaining wire... and electrical taped the
wires together and pushed them into the wire loom...
What the Hell kind of B.S. is that...
The guy tells me to clean the spliced wires, and reconnect them...
then tells me... also... check the Ground Strap to the transmission...
well... guess what everyone...
Before I called the hotline... I car dolly the van home...
and ended up taking it to a tranni place...
we have a terminally disabled child here, and need this vehicle for medical purposes...
the tranni place told me that the Clutch Packs are Fine... 89 CVI /Clutch Volume Index...
Always ask the person that is hooking a scan tool up to your computer, to check your CVI...!
the Clutch Volume Index runs from the 70's on upward as they wear...
if One gear is bad... the Volume Index will shoot right up near 100 or so...
anyway... he replaced the tranni with one that he re-built… old… JB welded trans pan...
Guess what.... I was able to get this out of him...
it Still did Not Work...!
He states "but it worked when we got all done didn’t it"
Yeah... After putting a brand New shiny ground strap I noticed on...!
I just did not know where the ground strap was with this EATX/TCM Selenoid Pack wire issue...
I paid 1700 of my son's school money, because we do not have any, for a new ground strap...! and an Old transmission...
So... Now you ALL know the Truth…!
Watch it..!
EveryOne will Rip you OFF...!
including the Dealer...
A financially Broken family...
and "ONLY USE ATF +3 FLUID IN THESE THINGS" PERIOD...!