1993 Intrepid Trans / Computer Trouble

[ed4733]

I have a 93 Intrepid that doesn't shift. I am stuck in second gear. Reverse works, park, neutral,etc. but when in drive I get no shifting. The transmission was replaced in July 2004. The car has 95,000 miles on it. The new transmission has about 2200. The a/c also stopped working about the same time the transmission started this trouble. My son brought the car back to the shop that installed the trans. They changed a few solenoids and nothing helped. They tried to retrieve any codes from the car and got nothing. I had someone that has access to equipt from a dealership and he could not get any codes from the car. I tried the same procedure I used in my 90 caravan when I had it, but that did not work. Any help out there. My son parked the car in front of the house and bought a 96 Mustang so now the car is my problem. I would like to get it fixed and then I can decide to keep it or sell it. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks,
Ed

[OldCarNut]

I had similar probs with my '94 Intrepid 3.3 l. This tranny is designed to go into "limp" mode when there's a problem, which always gives you 2nd and reverse, so you can drive to a garage. My problem was low tranny fluid, there was a slow leak in the tranny cooler line to the heat exchanger siamesed to the radiator, where the rubber hose is crimped to join the steel tube which continues to the tranny. Apparently this is a common problem with MoPar steel-to-rubber junctions for fluids. Replaced that line, and topped up tranny fluid and the problem went away. If it persists, most likely you need to replace the transmission control module, ie. the computer which is in left front engine compartment just behind the headlight.

[theFREAKnasty82]

When the mechanics checked things out, did they check for all codes, not just check engine. Another scenario that can happen is that a communication code can occur between the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module. If there is a lack of communication between the two, it will go into "limp" mode and may not always set a visible code that will be detected.

[CobraCDN]

Originally Posted by theFREAKnasty82

Another scenario that can happen is that a communication code can occur between the Powertrain Control Module and the Transmission Control Module. If there is a lack of communication between the two, it will go into "limp" mode and may not always set a visible code that will be detected.

Similair prob with my concorde... if there is a communication code, does that mean the PCM is at fault? Also if the TCM is faulty will a code be generated and if so would it be readable with the check engine light?

Cheers

[ed4733]

Originally Posted by CobraCDN

Similair prob with my concorde... if there is a communication code, does that mean the PCM is at fault? Also if the TCM is faulty will a code be generated and if so would it be readable with the check engine light?

Cheers

I'm not sure how to get the codes from the Intrepid. I have not done anything to the car for some time except start it every week to move it when I cut the grass. I would like to get the car useable again. Some people have told me that the problem is the TCM but I don't want to go buy one until I can do some checking and narrow the problem down. Any ideas???

Thanks

Ed

[CobraCDN]

As far as I know you can not retrieve codes from the TCM and your engine codes will not show any faults in the TCM either. You'll have to go to a dealer or a garage to get them read. You can retirieve engine codes by turning your ingnition on, off, on off, and on Count the flashes of the check engine light. ie: 5 flashes then a pause then 5 more flashes is code 55 which is the code for end of codes. If you get any codes I can look them up for you. I think freaknasty has a post somewheres with the codes also, I just don't remember where they are.

[boogerdawg]

My 93 with about 300,000 miles (no joke) had the same problem last week and I followed the advice on this forum of changing the tranny fluid and filter. For the filter, I used MOPAR (available only from the stealership) and for the fluid I used ATP+3 (aftermarket fluid). Dodge now recommends ATP+4, which I have not been able to find in "the big 2" parts stores. Probably not yet available except at stealership.

Although I haven't fully road tested the tranny yet because of low fluid, some of the symptoms have gone away. I used the four quarts of ATF (as recommended in this forum), but it was not enough. You'll need to get at least 5 quarts to be sure to have enough. I'll fully test tonight and update my message tomorrow.

By the way, the manual method of retrieving engine codes is ON, OFF, ON, OFF, ON, OFF, ON.

[CobraCDN]

I'll pick up my Concorde from the dealer tomorrow, they could not find anything mechanicaly wrong, and the fault code in the TCM did not repeat itself.. at least not yet. I did get them to flush the tranny and put ATF+4 in it. We'll see what happens. My concorde will flash error codes on the 3rd on with the ignition also.

What were some of your symptoms with your '93?

Cheers

[ed4733]

Thanks for the replies. The procedure used to get the engine codes is the same I used on a 1990 Caravan I had. As far as the problem, my son replaced the transmission then about 4 months later the thing would not shift. We brought it back to the shop where the transmission work was done and after 3 days there they said that they could not find the problem. No codes showed on their test equipment. Since my son needed a car he purchased another and left me the Intrepid along with the loan to pay his grand parents back!!
I don't get a chance to do much on the car because of my job now. But I would like to get the car going. It's fun to drive and does look good. I am going to get codes from it by this weekend and post my findings.

Thanks,
Ed

[boogerdawg]

Well, Ed, I tried again last night and my tranny is still failing. One thing that I did that you also might find helpful is resetting the TCM to factory defaults by removing the battery cable for at least 30 minutes. Then road-test the car and see if it shifts correctly or if it fails and goes back to the "limp" mode.

[boogerdawg]

Here's a repost of the engine codes:

These are all the codes for most 1993-1995 and a few 96 and 97 Intrepids.

If you have a 1993-1995 Intrepid and you have a check engine light, you can find out what the codes are by following this process:

1. Turn the ignition key on/off 3xs ending in the ON position
2. Watch the "CHECK ENGINE" light and see if it flashes.
3. If it flashes twice then pauses and flashes again another 4xs, that's a code 24, for example. You have put the computer in diagnostic mode and it will now display any codes that have been stored in memory.

Here is a list of all codes that can be displayed and what they mean:

11 - No crank reference signal detected during engine cranking. Check the circuit between the crankshaft position sensor and the PCM.
12- Problem with stand-by memory circuit. Direct battery input to controller disconnected within the last 50 ignition key-ons.
13- Indicates a problem with the MAP sensor pneumatic system.
14- MAP sensor voltage too low or too high.
15- A problem with the vehicle speed sensor signal. No speed sensor signal detected during driving conditions.
16- Loss of battery voltage
17- Engine coolant temperature indicating engine temperature cold too long.
21- Oxygen sensor voltage not fluctuating.
22- Coolant sensor voltage too high or too low.
23- Throttle body temp sensor below acceptable parameters.
24- Throttle position sensor voltage too high or too low.
25- Automatic Idle Speed motor detects a shorted condition in one or more circuits
26- Peak Injector current has not been reached.
27- One of the injector control circuit output drivers does not respond properly to the control signal.
31- Problem with the canister purge solenoid circuit
32- An open or shorted condition detected in the EGR transducer circuit.
33- Air conditioning clutch relay circuit open or shorted.
34- Open or shorted condition found in the speed control vacuum or vent solenoid circuit.
35- Radiator fan relay circuit open or shorted.
36- Problem with the air switching solenoid circuit.
37- Open or shorted condition detected in the torque converter unlock solenoid circuit.
41- Problem with charging system. Voltage below 11.75.
42- ASD (Automatic ShutDown) relay control open or shorted.
43- Engine misfire in one or more cylinders.
44- Ambient/Battery Temperature too high or too low.
45- Transmission temp sensor not indicating warm condition.
46- Charging system voltage too high.
47- Charging system voltage too low.
51- Oxygen sensor signal indicates a lean condition.
52- Oxygen sensor signal indicates a rich condition.
53- Internal PCM failure.
54- No cam signal to PCM.
55- End of code message.
62- Unsuccessful attempt to update EMR mileage in the controller EEPROM.
63- PCM failure. EEPROM write denied.
64 - The Flexible Fuel sensor voltage is low. Methanol concentration sensor input below the maximum acceptable voltage requirements.
65 - An open or shorted condition detected in the Manifold Tuning Valve (MTV) solenoid circuit.
66 - PCM is not receiving CCD Bus signals.
77 - Speed Control Power relay circuit is open or shorted.

[ed4733]

Boogerdawg, thanks for the codes. They are similar to my caravan codes. (I still have the book) I am going to check the Intrepid this weekend.

[CobraCDN]

My concorde story continued.. have a look..
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=440926

Cheers

[cgrim97_]

I just came home (Military) to find my fathers 2002 intrepid is having similar problems. It started with a check engine light and shaking (barely noticeable) when decelerating to a stop. My Father took it to his local mechanic, who among brakes, fuel injector cleaning, throttle body service, and a trans fluid flush and filter change also scanned and retrieved codes P0700 and P0740. Let me quote the tech "Tech scanned & retrieved P0740 CODE-Torque converter folowed diagnostic & was unable to duplicate @this time. Checked Clutch pack Volume-All within specs. Recommend change filter/Gasket & flush complete system. If condition returns we must recheck-may need to replace torque converter"

The MIL light returned upon exiting the parking lot. Not wanting to continue to be taken after the brakes and fuel injector service, My father took it to our local trans guy who had rebuilt our olds and chevys in the past.

He told my father all dodge transmssions need replacement at around 70K miles. He said it could be the solenoid packs or the whole trans has to be repalced and quoted $600 for the solenoid and 1400 + tax for the trans. He definately weighed toward the trans.

I told my Father to take it to the dodge dealership because I was recommended transmission replacements for both my 99 2.7 intrepid and my 99 avenger (avenger was traded up for a CAMARO SS) which the dealership fixed by replacing the input/outputs sensors. P.S. that is the only problem I have had with my 2.7 intrepid in 65,000 miles and I used Pennzoil 10W30 albeit with a can of motorflush every other change.

FEENY Dodge of Palatine, IL conducted the DRB-II test and reported back "TCC solenoid Circuit failure, Torque converter staying in Lock-up complete trans overhaul needed, 2100.00 plus tax." Thats it, no CVI, no codes, no explanation. What kind of BS is that?

My guess? TCM failure or Clogged Solenoid pack. Maybe wrong trans fluid. What do you all recommend? I will probably take all this paperwork back up to see the service manager tomorrow and ask for an explanation why they are trying to rob my father blind for a new trans when all it needs is maybe a solenoid or tcm reflash.

[CobraCDN]

The suggestion the trannies are all needing replacement or rebuilding after 70K miles is outrageous lol

In this tranny going into limp mode at all?? Id the solonoids are not fuctioning it should go into limp mode.

One thing you can do yourself is check all the electrical between the TCM and the tranny. It was my problem, and I went through all I could find and unplugged them, cleaned them and plugged them back in. Prestow problem gone.

They should give you the CVI's and they can work the solonoids manually at the dealership to make sure they do work.

Make sure they put ATF +4 in also, Chrysler demands this!

Cheers