1992 grand car... tranny problems

[tommyboy7328]

i own a 1992 grand caravan, 3.36l w/4 speed trans. about a year ago it stared going into limp mode. i brought it to a trans specialist who told me it needed to be rebuilt. when taxes came around in march i got it rebuilt w/ a 1 year warrenty, $1600. they also replaced the selenoid packthe first time. a week later it was out again so i brought it back. they kept it this time for two weeks. they replaced the battery, selenoid(again), and the transmission computer. again i drove it home (30 miles) a week later it was out again. when i brought it back this time they said it was an electrical problem and said they would pay to have it brought to an electrical specialist for a diagnostic. three days later the guy calls me and says he fixed it and it would cost me $650.i was angry since i never told them to work on it without calling me. again i drove it home only to send it back to the ele. specialist one more time the next day. then it was fine for about six months. then one night my wife and kids were out with it and it went out of gear completely about 3 blocks from the house so they walked home and before i could get back to get it(30 min.) it had been towed. anyway when i picked it up about 1 and ahalf hours later it drove fine. a few days later it went out again while i was driving. all forward gears were gone except reverse. i left it to sit about 2 hours and when i came back it drove fine. when i brought it to the trans place they said a diode had gone out in the computer($100) then the last time i brought it they replaced the selenoid again(#3 in 9 months, oh yeah and the computer #2) the stange thing the last 2 weeks is that when it was below freezing it never had a problem but when it warmed up it will go into limp mode after a few miles. PLEASE HELP!!! I have spent over $2700 ont this trans problem and no one can fix it.. HELP!!

[gforster]

Stoooooppppp!!!!
There is obviously something wrong mechanically inside the trans. They have done something wrong and don't understand how this trans works. Even if you cut all power to the trans and it's computer, you will still get 2nd gear for forward and reverse as usual. There is no seviceable diode in the trans computer as it is filled with a rubber "potting" material, and there is no way to even access the printed circuit board. I think they are B.S. ing you. I have personally rebuilt 3 of these that are my own and have not had a problem yet, but I really researched and educated myself first on exactly what makes these trannys work.

Make them make it right, the trans needs to come out and be redone.

[HeadlessHorseman]

Originally Posted by tommyboy7328

PLEASE HELP!!! I have spent over $2700 ont this trans problem and no one can fix it.. HELP!!

Your "trans specialist" is a "trans HACK" - and he cannot find his butt with either hand!

You've spent more than the van is probably worth... but more to the point, you've spent more than enough for a completely new (remanufactured) unit. In my neck of the woods, 5-Star Dodge Dealers have a three-strike rule that states if they can't fix it in three tries, I pay N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

I don't know if this situtuation applies to your circumstances and your location, but one thing is for sure, I would be sooooooo up in their face to make good on their OBVIOUS bad workmanship by DOING THE RIGHT THING - installing a remanufactured unit at NO COST. Sheesh, it NEVER ceases to amaze me how some repair shops RIP OFF people!

Aside from the COST, your TIME and the SAFETY of your FAMILY is worth SOMETHING - wouldn't you agree? Every time I hear about wives and children put in harms way, it PISSES me off big time. Especially when this problem could have and SHOULD have been fixed properly the FIRST time! My friend, these knuckleheads OWE you more than they will ever be able to pay, even if they DO install a remanufactured unit.

Un-be-friggin-lievable!

Ahem... (regains composure) Do I sound like I've been down this road before? Hell yes, you bet! Hey, just my !

[HeadlessHorseman]

Originally Posted by gforster

... I have personally rebuilt 3 of these that are my own and have not had a problem yet, but I really researched and educated myself first on exactly what makes these trannys work.

GF... Just curious how much did it cost and how long did it take you to do a rebuild? I've been through three trannys in my GC and swore I'd never pay $2,200 again for an installed reman (which is what my Dodge dealer has done each time). I can get a reman torque converter unit at Advance Auto for about $1,400.