1996 Caravan transmission - newbie

[albert10]

My wife was just driving on the highway with our 96 caravan 100K miles and the power just went...she pulled over (she said the van had some small amount of power to pull over).

We then got it towed and at the station, they just pulled it away and drove it around the block several times! They kept it to see if they could recreate the problem again and said something like...may be the transmission falling? or a hose??

What going on here. I saw some posts about sensors. Any ideas? Any more information I can have before I get the call "Mr...you need a new transmission".

Thanks in advance!!!!

[mprtech]

If you are going over 35 mph, and the trans senses a fault most likely it will try to go into limp in, but due to the speed it will go into a neutral condition until under 35 mph. Due to the fact the vehicle was moving at freeway speeds, thus already in 4th gear, an electrical fault is likely. Speed sensor, solonoid pack, relay, tcm, etc. If it went into limp in then it will have a fault stored in the tcm.

[albert10]

Thanks for the response. The shop (Shell station -AAA approved) said that they took the van out twice yesterday and couldn't recreate the problem. They kept it overnight to try an extended test today (maybe highway, I assume). Hopefully they know this - "If it went into limp in then it will have a fault stored in the tcm."....

should I be taking the van to the dealer? would that be better or worse?

[albert10]

They just called to tell me they've recreated the problem on the highway. Somehow (using a gauge??) they are sure that it's the fuel pump so they are replacing it. What should that cost? 96 dodge caravan 3.0 liter