Daily driver Down. need help fast. tranny problems

[animalgonz666]

i have a 92 dodoge dynasty which tanny just stop shifting on me. it wil go into park, reverse, and drive but wont shift into any high gears. By the way it has a v6 3.3l automatic tranny of course about 170,000 miles. but the tranny was replaced about a year ago. it just crapped out on the way to work. and i just got home so i havent had time to check the fluid of for leaks. Since i ve had it , it has always shifted pretty rough.especically from first to second. im thiking that it might be a solenoid pack. hoping at least. i really cant afford to tear it down if the problem is internal. time and money wise.is there any way that i can rule out the solenoid pack? of if any one else has any similar stories or good diagnostic tips or procedures please let me know. This is my daily driver and really the only car i had that didnt drive that bad. besides the shifting. if any one can help in any way please IM shakydkidd. that wouuld be the quickest way to reach me. i only have until monday to get something figuerd out. thanx to all.

[s.gutsy]

I was told to change my transmission fluid & filter when my durango was having troubleshifting from 2nd to 3rd. For me this solved the problem. I was told to change the fluid & filter yearly. If that did not work I was also told it would be the solenoid Good luck.

[MagicRat]

Thank you for the PM on this problem.

You should get a trans fluid and filter change anyways, for preventive maitenance, but I think the problem is elsewhere.

Your trans is an electronic shift model. It depends on an electronic signal from a speed sensor.
This is like a speedometer for the transmission.
I suspect the sensor is defective or the wiring to the sensor is damaged or unplugged.
At present, your transmission shift computer thinks the car is not moving, due to this problem, regardless of your speed so it only gives you first gear.

[theFREAKnasty82]

when you change your fluid, make sure you use Mopar ATF+4, that's the only recommended fluid for Chrysler vehicles. If you use anything else, and that's probably what your problem is I've seen this many times, if you use any other fluid than Mopar ATF+4, you WILL have transmission issues. Try a fluid and filter change and if you can, get a flush of the entire system and see what that does. Next route would be to go to your local transmission shop and see if your TCM has stored any fault codes in memory, you won't be able to access them through the key method.

[BleedDodge]

I thought this was interesting:

http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/atf_081205.html

I wonder why it's called plus four instead of just plus three. If it's for all transmissions made before it came out, how does it differ from the old plus three stuff? More additives or what? Detergents? I wanna know.

[theFREAKnasty82]

Bleed,

read this TSB on ATF+4, hopefully it should help you understand why it's important to use it over +3. You can also check this link out at allpar.com to understand the difference a little better.

NUMBER: 21-006-01

GROUP: Transmission

DATE: Jun. 29, 2001

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 21-16-99, DATED OCTOBER 22, 1999, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1999 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-00004). THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION AND NO ASTERISKS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO HIGHLIGHT REVISIONS.
SUBJECT:
Automatic Transmission Fluid Usage ATF+4 (Type 9602)

MODELS:

1989 - 1995 (AA) Spirit/Acclaim/Lebaron Sedan

1989 - 2002 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon

1989 - 1993 (AC) Dynasty/New Yorker/New Yorker Salon

1989 - 1993 (AD) Ram Truck

1989 - 1994 (AG) Daytona

1989 (AH) Lancer/Lebaron GTS

1989 - 1995 (AJ) Lebaron Coupe/Lebaron Convertible

1989 - 1990 (AK) Aries/Reliant

1989 - 1990 (AL) Horizon/Omni

1989 (AM) Diplomat/Gran Fury/New Yorker Fifth Avenue

1989 - 2002 (AN) Dakota

1989 - 1994 (AP) Shadow/Sundance

1990 - 1991 (AQ) Maserati

1990 - 1993 (AY) Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue

1994 - 2002 (BR/BE) Ram Truck

1998 - 2002 (DN) Durango

2002 (DR) Ram Truck

1995 - 2000 (FJ) Sebring/Avenger/Talon

2000 (GS) Chrysler Voyager (International Market)

1995 - 2000 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze

2001 - 2002 (JR) Sebring Sedan & Convertible/Stratus Sedan

1996 - 2000 (JX) Sebring Convertible

2002 (KJ) Liberty

1993 - 2002 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision/LHS/New
Yorker/300M

1989 - 1992 (MJ) Commanche

2000 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

1995 - 2002 (PL) Neon

2002 (PG) PT Cruiser (International Markets)

2001 - 2002 (PT) PT Cruiser

1997 - 2002 (PR) Prowler

2001 - 2002 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)

2001 - 2002 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

1997 - 2002 (TJ) Wrangler

2001 - 2002 (WG) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)

1999 - 2002 (WJ) Grand Cherokee

1989 - 1995 (YJ) Wrangler

1996 - 1998 (ZG) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)

1993 - 1998 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneer

NOTE :THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS EXCEPT 1999 AND EARLIER MINIVANS.

DISCUSSION:

A new transmission fluid (ATF+4(R) - Type 9602) has been developed and is being used as factory fill for all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions. Until now, vehicles originally filled with ATF+2 or ATF+3 were to be serviced with ATF+3. Effective immediately, it is recommended that all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions except for 1999 and earlier minivans be serviced with ATF+4(R). ATF+3 should continue to be used for 1999 and earlier minivans because of the potential for torque converter shudder during break in. For all other applications the ATF+4(R) fluid offers significant benefits as outlined below.
NOTE :ATF+4(R) MUST ALWAYS BE USED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY FILLED WITH ATF+4(R).

NOTE :SERVICE INTERVALS DO NOT CHANGE. THE SERVICE INTERVAL CURRENTLY IN EFFECT FOR A GIVEN VEHICLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED.

NOTE :ATF+4(R) IS COMPATIBLE WITH ATF+3 AND CAN BE USED TO TOP OFF VEHICLES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE ATF+2 OR ATF+3. DO NOT USE ATF+2 OR ATF+3 TO TOP OFF VEHICLES THAT HAVE ATF+4(R) FLUID.

BENEFITS
^ Better anti-wear properties

^ Improved rust/corrosion prevention

^ Controls oxidation

^ Eliminates deposits

^ Controls friction

^ Retains anti-foaming properties

^ Superior properties for low temperature operation

FLUID COLOR

Mopar ATF+4(R) is a World Class Fluid having exceptional durability. However, the red dye used in ATF+4°R is not permanent; as the fluid ages it may become darker or appear brown in color. ATF+4(R) also has a unique odor that may change with age. With ATF+4(R) fluid, color and odor are no longer indicators of fluid condition and do not support a fluid change.