'98 Caravan Tranny problem...

[Imtiaz]

I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan LE 3.3L. Every once in a while, when I back out of the driveway, then put it into Drive, it wont move, like it's in Neutral. It happens maybe 1 out of 15 times, right now at least. I checked the Tranny Fluid which seems to be full. I dont have any problems when I drive, it seems to shift normally, I never see the Tachometer go above 3500 or 4000 rpm, dont seem to be losing any power. Any help would be appreciated. TIA

[goldenmole]

A lot of transmission place do free checks - I am no mechanic but hopefully they can adjust the bands or change the fluid - something easy - it may be good to have them do something as procrastinating may make it worse and then it is sunk.

[trannyman52]

would be a good idea to have the pan taken off to check for signs of
damaged hard parts or damaged clutches. Take it to a garage not
a DAMN quick lub for a rip-off FLUSH!!! something is wrong!!!!

[deecee]

I have the exact same problem with my 2000 Grand (3.8L). It's happened about 5 times so far. It will go into drive eventually - helps to put it back into park and wait a few seconds. I haven't had it checked yet but was planning to take it to the Chrysler dealer. I'm just trying to gather info before they tell me they need to replace the transmission!!

Everything else works fine - shifts no problem once I'm moving. If you find out anything please let me know.

Thanks.

[shiNer45]

when u guys have this problem have u noticed that the speedometer is acting up at the same time?? what mine does is the same as yours but then for a few minutes the speedometer will not show any speed then work fine then not work then work fine for the rest of the day, this happens when mine is first started then all ok, also my high beams do not work, my mechanic told me it is not the transmission as he feels mine is something electronic like a speed sensor or something, at least im hoping, keep us up to date as to what happened and so will i so we can all figure this crap out with out putting out too much money

[deecee]

I haven't noticed any other problems. I'll keep an eye out though next time.

[RexNfx400]

There is 2 different trannys for these. Each has there own reason for forward delay cold. The OD tranny could just use a solenoid pak(updated to 2002 model). While the other(3 speed model) has pump gasket problems.

[shiNer45]

hi again, well after some more searching in this forum i found out at least my problem im nost positive it will help you guys but it may be worth a try,

another guy had the same problem exactly what im having with the speedometer acting up as well as the car not moving when u press on the gas pedal, what he found out was that it was his speed sensors, and for $40 canadian replacing this fixed his problem,

im going down to my mechanic buddy this morning to replace the speed sensors for me to see if this does the trick, ill post a message tomorrow morning when i first drive the car to tell you if this worked

fingers crossed

[deecee]

My gear options are D 3 L, so I assume I have the 3 speed model (though I don't know why it's not D 2 L. So do you think the pump gasket needs to be replaced? Is that a big job? Thanks for the info.

[deecee]

Actually. I also have a very minor transmission fluid leak (a drop or so on my garage floor a day). The level seems OK when I check it. I can't seem to find the leak but perhaps it's related?...leaky gasket?

[shiNer45]

hi again, well i came from my mechanic buddy today and am sorry to say we had no luck today, heres what we did;

replaced the input and output sensors, after this my speedometer did not want to work at all anymore, and it was still sluggush driving it for the first little while

we brought it to his friend who has a scanner and the first guy could not get any communication from the snap-on scanner, so the next guy we went to only got a code 1698 i think which turns out to be no communication with something or other,

i got fed up running around all day getting parts and stuff that i left my car down in toronto with my buddy so he can take his time with it, he thinks we have some kind of wiring or connection problem

anyone else with any ideas or similar circumstances please tell

thanks

[RexNfx400]

Originally Posted by deecee

My gear options are D 3 L, so I assume I have the 3 speed model (though I don't know why it's not D 2 L. So do you think the pump gasket needs to be replaced? Is that a big job? Thanks for the info.

Has anyone checked for trouble codes?

You have the overdrive transmission(41TE) The solenoid pak would be the first place to go if no codes. BUT, thats just a educated guess across the net. No one should really be just throwing parts at cars.

It takes hundreds of pounds of hydralic pressure inside your transmission to move your car. The little drip cannot be related. If fluid was pouring out quickly then thats different. Make sure your transmission stays full.

The leak needs to be figured out too. Thats a whole different ball game.

[RexNfx400]

Originally Posted by shiNer45

hi again, well i came from my mechanic buddy today and am sorry to say we had no luck today, heres what we did;

replaced the input and output sensors, after this my speedometer did not want to work at all anymore, and it was still sluggush driving it for the first little while

we brought it to his friend who has a scanner and the first guy could not get any communication from the snap-on scanner, so the next guy we went to only got a code 1698 i think which turns out to be no communication with something or other,

i got fed up running around all day getting parts and stuff that i left my car down in toronto with my buddy so he can take his time with it, he thinks we have some kind of wiring or connection problem

anyone else with any ideas or similar circumstances please tell

thanks

The first and only thing that needs to be done is have the scanner communicate with the car.

A few things could be going on here.
Check for blown fuses.
Some snap-on scanners have version conflicts with Dodge.
There is a relay to power up the TCM called the EATX relay. You can swap this with reverse light relay, which is right next to it.
Sometimes unplugging and plugging the TCM connector a few times cleans corrosion off the terminals and it will power up.

If you must guess, try to make an educated guess.

[shiNer45]

Originally Posted by RexNfx400

If you must guess, try to make an educated guess.

I dont quite understand what u mean by geussing RexNfx400. My friend is a licensed mechanic who has come across this problem before and spoke to a few other mechanics who all agreed to have the inpu/output sensors changed. This has also been found on this forum to have fixed another persons problem.

To me $22 each sensor was not a bad thing to try changing.

I'm sorry if u didnt mean anything by this, but im here to help and share experiences with others so they dont make mistakes that are already made and to try and save people money.

I have absolute full confidence in my mechanic since he is a friend and will not stop till he finds my vehicles problem with the lowest cost. He has done this for years for me and when i pay him i am more than happy to give him what he asks without arguement. So again sorry to take your comment the wrong way if i did but it sounds condescending and assumes my mechanic is only geussing with how did u put it not educated geusses.

As for having the scanner communicate with the car if u read carefully it said the first guy got no communication and the second guy did, i also listed the code.
So as u say the first thing is already done, when it wasnt communicating my friend thought we had better try another scanner to rule out it was the car and not a scanner problem.

I thank you for your other suggestions and will tell my mechanic about them.

[RexNfx400]

Sorry, I didn't mean you downgrade your mechanic. Its just a statement that I must live by.

Let us know the fix would ya?

Stay cool