check engine light for 97 dodge grand caravan

[Famof5]

The check engine light is on for the 3rd time. First time, it went off by itself. Second time, I took it in to my mechanic. He put it on the computer, got a code, but couldn't get any info off the code other than it was the solenoid-something-or-other in the tranny. The code he got is PO740. Trying to figure out what exactly is going on before some mechanic tries to rip me off!

Specs: 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, automatic, 3.3L engine, 203,000+ miles

Thanks for any and all help!!!

[danielsatur]

Doe's this van have an exhaust back pressure sensor?
Too much back pressure sounds like a bad catalytic converter.

Your right, they will blame the problem on the Transmission, Engine, or Computer.

[jamesslcx]

Hi Famof5, code p0740 is torque converter clutch, circuit malfunction, this code relates to you transmission.

[coalminer]

Originally Posted by Famof5

The check engine light is on for the 3rd time. First time, it went off by itself. Second time, I took it in to my mechanic. He put it on the computer, got a code, but couldn't get any info off the code other than it was the solenoid-something-or-other in the tranny. The code he got is PO740. Trying to figure out what exactly is going on before some mechanic tries to rip me off!

Specs: 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, automatic, 3.3L engine, 203,000+ miles

Thanks for any and all help!!!

When you drive the van, see if you can feel the converter lock up, I have a 2002 Caravan with 229,000 miles on it, and one day the engine light came on with that code and I could tell that it would not lock up. I drove the van for about another month before I got a call from the wife that one day she was out and the van would not move at all. After it cooled down it went back into gear and was able to get it home, but more than likely the torque converter is going bad.

[jamesslcx]

Hello everyone, Famof5, i am not to familiar with these trannys ( former GM and Toyota and Nissan tech) I think I would have your mechanic check for electrical, wiring and sensor problems first before I would jump to any drastic conclusions. I once heard a chrysler tech say that a large percentage of problems with these trannys were simple fixes that required no overhaul or disassembly! Best of luck.

[Famof5]

Thank you all for your replies. I ended up taking the van to a transmission shop, where I was told that the torque converter is locking up. The fix: new torque converter on a tranny with over 200,000 miles, which will blow the tranny out. So he recommended rebuilding the tranny for $1600 or buying a new van for $1600. Husband said drive it til it's dead.

[Alphabravo]

I'm not a tranny expert, but I find it hard to believe that a new torque converter will necessarily blow out the tranny. I think that if you're not a lead foot you should be fine. Plus, if that were the case, why couldn't he just install a used torque converter?

I doubt that for $1600 you'll get much of a reliable van. If the motor is good (those motors are generally bullet-proof) and the rest of the van is good, I would think about fixing it.

Did the mechanic drop the tranny pan to look for metal shavings? Have you ever changed the tranny fluid? If it has been maintained and there are no shavings I would recommend keeping the tranny as-is and just replace the troque converter, plus a new filter and fluid.

Yes, there will be a lot of labor to remove and replace the tranny, and he will recommend that while you are there you might as well do the rebuild. But I wonder what exactly will the rebuild include? My guess is not much, especially since nothing is broken in the tranny right now. I would ask what is included. Find out what the cost difference is.

Another thing; If the torque converter locks up, the van would stall when you come to a stop or when you go from Park or Neutral to Drive. Has it stalled on you like that? I'm wondering if it is just an electrical issue and the torque converter is not really locking up.

If someone thinks otherwise or has anything to add please reply.

Good luck with it.

[jamesslcx]

Hi everyone i think i would take it to another trans shop for a second opinion but the van could run a long time like it is. Best of luck.