3 Speed Auto Transmission Fluid Change

[jbreyes]

I am planning to have my 1997 Grand Caravan undergo a transmission fluid change. The manual recommends that when I do this, I should replace also the filter and adjust the bands.

I already bought the filter but should I really adjust the bands even though I am not experiencing any slippage problems with it?

[gforster]

Originally Posted by jbreyes

I am planning to have my 1997 Grand Caravan undergo a transmission fluid change. The manual recommends that when I do this, I should replace also the filter and adjust the bands.

I already bought the filter but should I really adjust the bands even though I am not experiencing any slippage problems with it?

If you have a Grand Van than I suspect you have the 41TE 4 Speed Overdrive trans. If it has a 3.3 or 3.8 Engine than it is definetly a 4Spd. There are no bands in this unit but I do stress that you only use the Chrysler ATF+3 Fluid and filter easy to do yourself. Do not even think about Dexron it will destroy the trans and your wallet. The fluid is a bit more expensive but nothing compared to to building the trans.

Regards,
Geoff

[jbreyes]

Thanks Geoff!

I have the 2.4L with 3 speed transmission.

[gforster]

Oh ok that clears me up a bit. Still use the ATF+3 from Chrysler and you should adjust the bands (you will need a universal joint for the low/reverse which is accessed when the pan is removed. The other is the kickdown band which is a locknut affair right on the top of the bell housing) I don't think the procedure is in the Mickey Mouse er I mean Haynes manual but it is in my ATSG manual. I don't think it mandatory that you set the bands, at least your putting in the effort for fluid change, but it will improve the "feel" of certain shifts. If it all sounds like too much I'd just change the fluid and filter and relax

[jbreyes]

Hey Geoff!

Thanks for the great tip! Will probably do a fluid and filter change for now.

Happy Holidays!

[Dayalalito]

i went to the autozone and bought a trans filter for my 91 GC 3.3l ,2wd, auto trans, should i bring it back? and go the the dealer and buy the filter from them (along with the oil), as i have read that i shouldnt use an aftermarket filter ???

[theFREAKnasty82]

that wouldn't be a bad idea. Sometimes it's best to pay a little more for factory items, especially w/ transmissions. I don't trust anything in my transmission unless it's from Chrysler itself.

[Dayalalito]

Where you able to change the trans filter ?? Did you go to the local auto parts store and got a filter or did you get it from the dealer, also
which fluid do you use ???

please advise im planing to do the same

[steveb5032]

I experienced a recent problem with my 97 voyager, changing up gears too late (limp mode) i had the oil & filter changed but it turned out to be a problem with the management software. Apparently bands on 97 voyagers cannot be adjusted. The dealer rebooted the system and all was fine.

[Stevo2]

When doing preventative service on a tranny, always change the filter, pan gasket and adjust the bands if they can be. Once the bands slip, it's too late. Use the correct TYPE fluid and don't try to cut corners. All types of fluid are available from your local stores and you don't have to get it from the dealer. If you don't do this now you will pay the $2500 sooner to get the tranny replaced. You can get reusable pan gaskets from the dealer. They are much better than the cork ones. You should also try to torque the pan bolts. Beg, borrow or rent a torque wrench.

[gromittoo]

Originally Posted by Stevo2

When doing preventative service on a tranny, always change the filter, pan gasket and adjust the bands if they can be. Once the bands slip, it's too late. Use the correct TYPE fluid and don't try to cut corners. All types of fluid are available from your local stores and you don't have to get it from the dealer. If you don't do this now you will pay the $2500 sooner to get the tranny replaced. You can get reusable pan gaskets from the dealer. They are much better than the cork ones. You should also try to torque the pan bolts. Beg, borrow or rent a torque wrench.

All good adivice, but some folks suggest you "upgrade" to ATX-4. I have not been able to find ATX-4 except at the dealer. I went to buy ATX-4 for my neon, and the parts and fluid were going to be more than $70. I asked what it would cost if they did it, and they have an ongoing $99 tranny service special which includes the bands adjustment. I asked for the upgrade to ATX-4, and got it for free. At $99, It didn't make sense to risk spilling tranny fluid on the driveway, just to save $25.

[MT-2500]

Cry is changing ships in the middle of the ocean on going from atf+3 to atf+4 trans fluid.
There is a TSB out on it. All newer trans have it already in them and they recommend changing and using it in a lot of the older ones to it.
TSB 21-004-04 transmissions March 16 -04
Your dealer should furnish you with a copy of it.
I think the ATF+4 is full synthetic fluid.
I have changed my personal town and country van 4 speed auto over to it and it did help improve the shifting.
I cannot say it will help all of them but keep it in mind and that is what cry recommends.
But cry has a patent on it and you may have to get it at the dealer.
It will mix with the atf+3 so you can just add it with a filter change or flush the trans out and put all atf+4 in. your choice.
MT

[gromittoo]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Cry is changing ships in the middle of the ocean on going from atf+3 to atf+4 trans fluid.
There is a TSB out on it. All newer trans have it already in them and they recommend changing and using it in a lot of the older ones to it.
TSB 21-004-04 transmissions March 16 -04
Your dealer should furnish you with a copy of it.
I think the ATF+4 is full synthetic fluid.
I have changed my personal town and country van 4 speed auto over to it and it did help improve the shifting.
I cannot say it will help all of them but keep it in mind and that is what cry recommends.
But cry has a patent on it and you may have to get it at the dealer.
It will mix with the atf+3 so you can just add it with a filter change or flush the trans out and put all atf+4 in. your choice.
MT

The above info about Diamler / Chrysler changing to ATX-4 now makes sense to me. The parts dept. at my dealer wants ~$24.50 for 1 gallon of ATX-3, and ~$38.50 for ATX-4.

When I took my 98 Neon in for a $99 Tranny service at my dealer, they didn't charge me extra when I asked that they use ATX-4. Maybe they thought I knew about the TSB, but would have used up the ATX-3 to use up stock. Anyway, my tranny shifts a lot better now with ATX-4, but I was replacing the original ATX-3 with 69K miles on it.

I have a 2001 Voyager I bought used 1 year ago. There was some issue with the tranny right before I bought it, and the Auction house delayed the sale for a week, while they took it to a Cry dealer to fix it. My Van shifts 100% fine, so I don't know when I should change the Tranny fluid. How do I determine if I already have ATX-4 in my van?

[MT-2500]

10-4 on the ATF+4 shifting better. It is good stuff.
Your dealer is a little high on it. My cry Parts dealer gives list price at 16.60$ gal and cost to garage 13.28$ a gal. Better jew your dealer a little.
On the voyager. Unless you know for sure what the did on the trans like changing the fluid and filter or whatever change it now.
The 2001 voyager may have a factory fill with atf+4.
Take a look at your dipstick on what it says.
After being worked on and a year driving. To be on safe side.
I would go ahead and change the filter and fluid and put ATF+4 in it.
MT