1994 Grand Caravan Tranny Problems

[oaktree67]

Hi ! can anyone help? Our 94 Grandcaravan won't shift into drive or reverse without first warming up for a long time.It also shudders at around 60kmph (38 mph) when trying to shift.Does anyone know if this is the Transmission Control Module acting up? I changed the tranny oil (using +3) with no effect.

[theFREAKnasty82]

how many miles are on your van? When did you last change your fluid (by the way, glad to see people are listening and using the right fluid for their vans!). You could a weak oil pump or when you changed your fluid last, you have cavitation, or air bubbles in your fluid thus causing the delay in shifts. The best way to avoid cavitation next time, it to prime the oil filter, that is putting some fluid on the filter ahead of time before you put it back on the transmission.

[lambstang]

I have a 96 Dodge Caravan 3.0 L. and had the same problem. Even though ATF +3 is for Chrysler Vehicles, it is not exactly the same as the manufacture's Tranny fluid. You can buy an additive for sticky transmissions that shudder.....but the better way is to purge your entire system and put in the manufacture's fluid.

The tranny shop told me it would cost me a minimum of $1800 to fix problem...

.....the reason it not going into gear and shifting properly is because of sticky pistons in the transmission. These pistons apply pressure to bands, but if they are sticky (from incorrect fluid) pressure is not transferred evenly, as RPMs increase and fluid pressure increases, the pistons suddendly move and SLAM the bands into action.(not good)

I bought the proper fluid from dodge and purged the system, it cost me around $80. The van has been shifting perfectly for over two years now.

To purge the system you should have two other people helping you.

pull the bottom transmission fluid coollant line off the radiator and place it into a large container which has marks on it so the first person can keep track of how much fluid has come out of the system.

Second person has a large funnel and pours in the fluid at the same time to keep up with the fluid that is being pumped (purged) out.

Third person must start and stop the vehicle. If too much fluid is being pumped out, they must stop the vehicle and when the second person catches up, the third person starts the vehicle to pump out some more old fluid.

This is a cheap way of getting all of the old fluid out of the torque converter and transmission without manually pulling out the transmission.

If all goes well, it is not a messy job at all, but I would deffinately recomend you use a large peice of plastic polly for underneath the car.