2004 Chrysler Town & Country Transmission

[smartycat]

I purchased a 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Dec 2003. I noticed an intermittent problem with my gear shift indicator lights PDRNL were all lighting up when I would start the vehicle in February 2004. I would have to play with the shift lever a few times to get it into gear. On Feb 26, 2004 the vehicle would not start at all, would not even turn over. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. It had 3500 miles at the time. The error code was PO706 check shifter signal. They said it was the transmission range sensor and replaced it. I had no problems for 2000 miles until I was in northern Michigan and the gear shift indicator lights started doing the same thing. I brought it to a local Chrysler dealership the next morning and they scanned the following codes PO1791 loss of prime PO705 check shifter signal BCM stored TCM message not received FCM stored TCM communication fault DSD stored incomplete power voltage. This dealership checked connections and wiring harness which were okay so advised me to take it back to my dealership at home since they would have to tear the whole van down to figure out what was wrong and any parts they would need would not get there before I left for home. Luckily, I made it home with only one incident with these lights coming on. My dealership had the same error code PO706 and also PO444. Here is what their repair order states "DTC PO706 shift signal fault. Front pump allowing torque convertor to bleed down IPM internally shorted causing intermittent shift signal errors and PO444 and PO706. Scan and perform trans diag and fluid level full R & I the transmission R & I the pan and valve body replace the filter R & I the front pump and replace the front pump and torque convertor called STAR about intermittent loss of shift signal was told to replace the IPM. Replace the IPM (power distribution center) retest ok at this time."

So here is my question....I am very worried with all that I am reading about transmission problems and this van has only 6500 miles and all these parts that they have had to replace already is really scaring me! Can anyone with transmission expertise tell me what all this means and if I have reason to worry that this is the beginning of some major transmission problems.

Thanks!

[smartycat]

Well now it's back in the shop again. Today it was riding very rough what I thought was something funky with the gear shifting but then the check engine light came on and the dealership tells me it's an engine misfire but they are still trying to figure out the cause.

[tazman]

Have them look at the engine wiring harness. If it's pinched or cut you will have various problems. They may also want to change both the BCM and the shifter cable. My 2001 just had the upgraded cable installed when they replaced the tranny pump. Seems to have corrected the problem I was experiencing.

[Emtronics]

smartycat How's the van now? I noticed it has been over a month since you posted here and was wondering. I too bought a 2004 in April. It just passed 3000 miles. (it had 2100 on it when I bought it, the dealer's wife was driving it) Last night, I started it and all the PNRDL lights were lit! After about 5 seconds, they went out and the P light came on...hmmm I thought.. Then my son churped up and said; "That happened to me this afternoon when I moved it." My wife, who drives the van 90% of the time said she never noticed it.

Good God, am I gonna have to "off" this thing? I mean, I spent a lot of money and after reading the posts here I am getting scared. Afterall, my Dealer's service department doesn't look to overly "bright". They seem to move very slowly there.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by tazman

Have them look at the engine wiring harness. If it's pinched or cut you will have various problems. They may also want to change both the BCM and the shifter cable. My 2001 just had the upgraded cable installed when they replaced the tranny pump. Seems to have corrected the problem I was experiencing.

Have a new 2004 T & C with the 3.3 l engine . Have about 8000 miles on it . So far no problems with it , everything seems to work as designed . All I have done so far is rotate the tires and change the oil .

[smartycat]

"Last night, I started it and all the PNRDL lights were lit! After about 5 seconds, they went out and the P light came on...hmmm I thought.. Then my son churped up and said; "That happened to me this afternoon when I moved it." My wife, who drives the van 90% of the time said she never noticed it. "

.....yes this is exactly what is happening to me now after replacing transmission range sensor, checking all the wiring and replacing the transmission pump and torque convertor and IPM. It happens very intermittently but it still does happen. My dealership has no clue what it causing it and no error codes are coming up so my husband told me to keep the camera in the car and take a picture next time it happens! I think they just think I am crazy. Could it be a software problem? This is what my husband is thinking. Now when it first started at about 3000 miles I had to play with the gear shifter for a few seconds to get it into drive. Now it seems to go into park on its own if I wait a few seconds just like you.

Are you still having this problem or did you take it in to service yet?

[R_Showers]

Let me ask you this since I just purchased a new 2004 town and country a month ago. I noticed when im going up hills when going about 50mph or higher,there seems to be a bucking. have you ever noticed this ? Im just curious if anyone else has ever noticed this.

[Emtronics]

Never had it happen again. Had it in right after I saw it and the dealer said no codes, everything was tight. So far, so good.

[Allamand]

R Showers, I believe I have had the same "Bucking" issue. It is very very slight, hardly noticable, but there none the less.

would think it was more like a timing issue, bad gas, something in that line though

[smartycat]

Originally Posted by Emtronics

Never had it happen again. Had it in right after I saw it and the dealer said no codes, everything was tight. So far, so good.

Hi Emtronics,

Still no more problems with the PRDNL lights? I am still having this problem intermittently. I can go a month without any problem and now it just happened again twice in the last couple of weeks. This morning I had to play with the shifter before it would go into reverse. The last two times it was at the dealership no codes came back so they cannot verify there is a problem.

[R_Showers]

I just took my 04 T&C to the dealer for a cracking noise in the stearing collum and they replaced the stearing shaft. Said it was worn out already. i just hit 6,000 miles on it. Well,They replaced it,but im still getting the cracking noise on a internittent ocasion. Anyone else ever feel a cracking on your steering wheel while driving?

[Emtronics]

Nope. No more PRNDL light problems. But, have had a couple weird things since. Like. All the idiot lights stayed lit for about 30 seconds. Went to turn off the headlights and every light went off except the headlights. Then, they went out. A little red light (one of the idiot lights) came on and stayed lit. By the time I thought I should call the dealer, it too went out.
It isn't even listed in the manual as to what it is supposed to be for. Like you can tell the seatbelt light, the low fuel light, etc etc. I think it's the security light.

running great at 7500 mi

[R_Showers]

"""Went to turn off the headlights and every light went off except the headlights. Then, they went out. """""



Thats because the headlights have a delay. Next time you shut you T&C off,Make sure your light are ON before you shut down the engine. Then pull your keys and shut the lights off. They will stay on for a minute or two,then shut off automatically.

[Emtronics]

No. I am one of the few that reads the owner manual. My van does not have delay lighting. It was a fluke. The marker lights, tail lights, and parking lights went off, but the headlights didn't. I wish it did. On my older 99, the interior lights would light after you turned off the engine. This van does even do that.

EDIT: I will try your suggestion as I never went through that procedure before.

EDIT: Well now I feel the fool. My kid who hardly drives the van says that the lights perform that way after all. I'll check and post back, thanks fore the info. BTW, he said "it's in the manual!"

[Decepticons4EVR]

I'm researching the 04 T&C. I found a 1 owner, VERY clean 113000 mi for $5500. I have read dozens of GREAT reviews concerning the 04 T&C. The only cons I found were minor issues with the transmission solenoid packs and significant issues with the PCM & brakes on the 3.3L V6 models. All of which I can repair myself for under $350-400. I have owned MANY Mopar vehicles & have had good experiences with them all. EXCEPT for the 99 Neon Highline my wife has now. She LOVED this T&C and I really like minivans. But, after what I've read here, I think I may have to disappoint her and decline this purchase. The only way I'll move forward, is if SOMEONE on here can offer a little reassurance that this is a good, reliable vehicle. If not, I have a close friend at the dealership who will be looking it over with a fine toothed comb.