4 speed Tranny stays in 2nd

[jamalnemah]

hi,

i took the car to the Mechanic today. i left it there for about 8 hours.
after i called him he said i need a new transmission.
i still don't believe him.
he said:I hook the tranny to special tranny tools. the third geard did not work.
i asked him why it works when i turn the car off the start again. he said something about the overdrive kicking in.


I don't know why the overdrive does not kick in when i start driving the first time?

any ways

any suggestions?

[caleb_wiley]

I just heard about this site and I can't tell you how thrilled I am about it. Even if there are no replies to this post, I've already learned alot from many of you. Thanks for all the input. Now...down to business...

The Background:
I've got a 1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager with a 3.3L engine and a 4-speed tranny with overdrive.

I got the van at 110,000 miles and in the last year have put an additional 40,000 miles on it (most of them highway).

According to the previous owner (a friend of mine who I trust), the transmission was rebuilt at roughly 50,000 miles and serviced right before I got it. I have not serviced it since then. The fluid is clean although I'm not sure if it is the ATF+3. The field seems pretty split between those who think that it matters and those who think it's the dealership's way to make more money.

I had to replace the left half-shaft seal at about 125,000 miles. Other than that, the tranny has been solid.

The Problem
The transmission has developed a love affair with the ever infamous "limp mode".

The first time it occured was while I was at a stop sign. I felt a shudder and when I got onto the road noticed the tach revving too high. Pulled off immediately and reset the computer by disconnecting the battery. This took it out of limp mode and I had no problems for another (roughly) 1,200 miles.

It has now occured for a second time and I haven't been so lucky with the quick fix. The reset does work, but only for a short distance, no more than 6-7 miles.

The Attempted Fixes
1) Reset Computer - no good

2) Checked all solenoid wiring harnesses for corrosion and/or loose wires. Everything seems clean and solid.

3) Had two different mechanics (independant, not dealer) attempt to diagnose the codes - the only problem is that the van computer is not giving their testers ANY codes (Incidentally, the check engine light is NOT on). I've been told that in order to have it tested properly, I need to take it to the dealership. I'm skeptical but willing to give it a shot if there's any truth to this contention.

I have had two mechanics (close friends) who I trust completely tell me that it is most likely an internal mechanical failure caused simply by normal wear and tear. This has been backed up by a third mechanic (who I trust much less).
However, a fourth mechanic (who I don't know personally but who has an outstanding reputation for both honesty and competence among my friends in the town I'm stranded in) believes that it is most likely an external component problem. To me, the van is not worth investing $2K for a rebuild but if I could work my way through a less costly external fix I would love to keep it. I'm pretty handy with most mechanical things, but when it comes to transmissions, I'm in the dark. Any input from you guys would be great. Thanks in advance.

Caleb Wiley

[Hellcatbyte]

I have not fixed the problem, It is not a frecuent fault, it comes, say, when I step really hard on the acclerator, and maybe once every 2 months or so, but as I said if the fault occurs, I just pull aside, or not even pull aside I put it in neutral, I just switch off, and wait for the tachometer to drop to "0" and on again and the problem goes away, I have driven more than 3,000 miles with the problem high way and city and I just do the "routine" when it happens, but I can say that the problem has struck maybe 4 times in a the lapse of 5 months.

We in Monterrey Mexico, about 120 miles south of the border of Laredo TX have as you Americans have, Junk yards and went to ask for a 4 speed trany for my 1997 Voyager (the short) 3.3 engine and they gave me a 500.00 US/DLLS (five hundred) no core required 3 month garantee trans working and in perfect condition, (all voyagers and grand voyagers and all Chrysler vans and some cars are IMPORTED from USA)

But I said well I'll wait to gather some $$$, or if the problem becomes acute.

And as we say $$$$$$ does not grows on trees, I just drive carefully and not overstep the gas pedal, I mean I can step the pedal to the bottom, but not ram it to the bottom if I do, that's when it happens, if you know what I mean

[jamalnemah]

Hi,

a new development in my Grand Voyager 97 tranny.

I decided today to change my driving habits. instead of pressing hard on the gas padle i pressed gently. gave the car time to build up speed and after 3 miles of driving the "service Engine" light went off.
what a relief. the car shifted to the 3rd gear and was driving nice.
i was so happy.

so, I told my self let me test the transmission. after a stop sign, i pressed hard on the gas padle the RPM went to 300 and what do you know the tranny went to a limp mode. and the check engine came back.

i stoped. turn the car off then on drove it gently and after few miles the check engine sign was gone. the problem with this kind of gentle driving is that you can't make any sudden acceleration if i am not over 40 MPH other wise the car will go to a limp mode.

any new development?

[jamalnemah]

anyone knows the location of the ground strap?

everyone check this
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...t=Transmission

[busta9876]

almost every post i read these tranny's are hitting limp mode when mashing down on the gas, or going from a stop.

when you do that the engine and tranny twists in its motor mounts and wires move about. any loose connections will cause problems.

I work for a major remanufacturing company that builds A604 transmissions. 50% of our warranty calls are electrical problems.

being that the transmission is completely electronically controlled, any problem the computer gives up and goes into limp mode.

I think I can safely says most A604 transmission that has an intermintant "limp mode" condition and other times works in all 4 forward gears + lockup does NOT have an internal concern.

Limp mode is the default gear if all power was lost to the transmission. you can test this by unplugging the solenoid pack. you will have Park, Revers, and 2nd Gear, that will be it.

all shifting is controlled by 4 solenoids in the solenoid pack. the computer commands these On and Off to apply the clutches to make 4 forward gears and lockup. the compture relies on the speed sensors for shift timing and your speed-o-meter.

always check your codes. limp mode with no codes almost has to be electrical problem, loose connections

speed sensor codes can be in the harness or sometimes the sensor. if installing new sensor in a 1998 or older vehicle, the plug might be different. mopar changed the plug in 1998. the old one will install with some force, but will fail .

pressure switch codes can result from internal valve body problems. there are 3 pressure switches ( part of solenoid pack)

there some stuff to read about email me with any questions.

[caleb_wiley]

The last post sums up what I've been suspicious of but not certain of.

"I think I can safely says most A604 transmission that has an intermintant "limp
mode" condition and other times works in all 4 forward gears + lockup does
NOT have an internal concern. always check your codes. limp mode with no
codes almost has to be electrical problem, loose connections"

My Plymouth goes into "limp mode" with no pattern that I've been able to ascertain and has no codes that any mechanic I've brought it to has been able to find. However, during the intermittent periods of time in which the tranny is NOT in "limp mode" the van runs like a champ. Unfortunately for me, transmission problems make me cringe and ELECTRICAL transmission problems make me want to huddle in a corner with my thumb in my mouth. I just don't have a decent enough working knowledge about trannies to know where to go from here. Any input? I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

ps. I tried to e-mail you (the guy who posted the quote above) through the forum but was denied access. If you want to e-mail me directly, you can use the link below. Thanks.

Caleb Wiley

[email protected]

[jamalnemah]

I have talked to a guy called Miguell about my transmission problem and he E-mailed me a file about transmission code 41.

after reading it i found out it had nothing to do with mechanical problem but it was all electrical.

if you are interested in his email to me i will be happy to forward it to you. it has a lot of diagrams and insite.

his reply was in reguards to 97 plymouth Grand Voyager SE 3.3

[jamalnemah]

I took my car to a Mechanic (I trust his honesty) 2 days ago. (((He is the one who change the Solenoid Shift to fix the limp-in in my transmission but that didn't fix the problem))). I gave him the diagrams I got from Miguel. He followed the instruction step by step. and we fixed the problem. it took him about an 2 hours to fix the whole problem.
it was not a grounding problem. but it was electrical.

for the ones who emailed me to get the diagrams.
we inspected wire # 53, 57 (grounding) and 20 in the TCM. the Ohms in wire # 20 was about 0.2 it was suppose to be 5.0 ohms.
my friend the Mechanic cut wire #20 and made an outside connection to wire #7 (the Femal plug located in the L-R solenoid above the Solenoid shift).
i drove the car and problem is fixed.
today is my 3rd happy day. i didn't have to worry about going into a limp-in mode.

by the Way. anyone can do this it is so simple. of course this after the fact.


by the way i have about 50-60 transmission codes and with the causes. i got it from AAMCO. i hope, when i have the time to help to put them for everyone to read.

i have enlisted in an online Mechanic school becuase i am sick and tired of people cheating me.

good luck everyone.

i hope this little info. helped somebody.

My thanks goes to Miguel which without his inside info i would have paid about $1000-$1800.

and special thank to the input from the members of this site which led me to Miguel.

thanks everybody.