95 Dodge caravan clunks when first starting, won't shift into 3rd

[mommaloo]

We bought a 95 Dodge Caravan SE used. Often when you first start it up and shift from Park to Drive it will hesitate, then clunk and jerk forward. It won't do this from Park to Reverse. Another problem is that sometimes it won't shift into 3rd. You can watch the RPMs jump to 2500+. A fix seems to be: turn engine off, wait 5 or 6 seconds, then restart vehicle and drive. Any ideas? Thank you very much. Mommaloo.

[sys_eng]

Originally Posted by mommaloo

We bought a 95 Dodge Caravan SE used. Often when you first start it up and shift from Park to Drive it will hesitate, then clunk and jerk forward. It won't do this from Park to Reverse. Another problem is that sometimes it won't shift into 3rd. You can watch the RPMs jump to 2500+. A fix seems to be: turn engine off, wait 5 or 6 seconds, then restart vehicle and drive. Any ideas? Thank you very much. Mommaloo.

My 95 is doing almost the exact same thing. I have changed the speed sensors, tps, Oil & filter with no results, there are no codes & the problem is intermittent. I'm going to try a new solinoid pack & see if that does any thing.
It's quite strange cause when it does shift it seems to shift good, it just some times "forgets" to shift. I did notice tonite what sounded like fluid flowing at high presure, the noise built up then began to quiet down, then it shifted??? This go me thinking that the solinoid pack may not be engaging properly (sticking).