1990 lebaron wierd transmission happenings

[mbrocuglio]

this has a automatic trannie, when driving this car down the road the car goes into low gear out of the clear blue almost acts like a brake, you can pull over shut the car off turn it right back on and it will act fine for a little while then it happens again it goes out of gear and cant go back in w/out shutting it off. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated

[kingkevin8]

It's going into limp mode. It happens when you need a rebuild, or just a sensor, so you should take it in. Mine is because of the trans. need a rebuild, but i know of people who got a new sensor, and then their car was fine.

[4pt9fiero]

How many miles do your car have on it?

Has the tranny fluid and filter ever been changed?

One of the biggest problems with these transmissions is heat - it causes the fluid to break down quickly. Your owner's manual basically tells you that you only need to change the fluid at 100k intervals - don't believe it - by the time you get to 100k you probably have already damaged the tranny. Anyone who owns one of these should use the "severe" schedule and change the fluid at least every 50k. There are cars and vans that run this same tranny, that have changed fluid regularly at 50k intervals that are still going strong at 300k miles with no problems.

I would start by changing the fluid and filter - that may fix it, sometimes the filter will clog up and low flow can/will result in "limp mode". You may want to take it to the shop and have the tranny codes scanned.

The thing that you want to avoid is unnecessarily buying a rebuild (rediculously expensive). Most tranny shops see you pull in and instantly want to sell you a rebuild.

Most times issues with the transmissions can be cured by changing the fluid and filter. If changing the fluid and filter doesn't fix it then replacing the solenoid pack (can buy them off ebay for ~ $100) may fix it.

Either way it is a relative cheap alternative (troubleshooting avenue) to pursue prior to signing up for a rebuild.

Please don't unwittingly sign up for a $2000-$2500 rebuild job.

P.S. - another thing that you might want to do is add an external tranny cooler along with the cooler that is in the radiator. These tranny's have extremely thick aluminum cases and do not dissipate heat well.

[bill fitzhugh]

4pt9 is on target but two more ideas rebuild shops many times just take pan off and clean filter screens because they clog retarding fliuid flow this sounds like your problem after a few miles the screen is picking up particles or dirt from old trans fluid after trying this I would go for a modulator before a full rebuild

[mbrocuglio]

Thank you for all of these suggestions, we have had the fluid and filter changed but still it still happens So i guess we'll try it again and see if it clears up and if it dont then getting a new pack we will try, and also pray.