2002 Dodge Stratus 2.4L AOD hard downshifting while slowing for stop.

[k2kiceman]

I have a Stratus with 79k on it, last week the tranny started downshifting from 4th to 3rd very abruptly and hard. TPS output has been OK, which I am told is a common downshift problem with these cars. When I leave the tranny in 3rd gear it downshifts hard into 2nd gear the same way. Had a scantool hooked up while driving and there were no codes triggered, speed sensors seemed to be OK and the TPS voltage had no interrruptions or spikes. It's got me scratching my head for answers, as this is the first Chrysler product I have worked on or owned in over 10 years (can you tell I love em?). My wife loves the car, now I get the headaches. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by k2kiceman

I have a Stratus with 79k on it, last week the tranny started downshifting from 4th to 3rd very abruptly and hard. TPS output has been OK, which I am told is a common downshift problem with these cars. When I leave the tranny in 3rd gear it downshifts hard into 2nd gear the same way. Had a scantool hooked up while driving and there were no codes triggered, speed sensors seemed to be OK and the TPS voltage had no interrruptions or spikes. It's got me scratching my head for answers, as this is the first Chrysler product I have worked on or owned in over 10 years (can you tell I love em?). My wife loves the car, now I get the headaches. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have the same issue and nothing I have done works. I wish the car would spontaneously combust in the parking lot one day. I hate this car but I'm in the same boat as you, my wife loves it.

[stardog30]

My wife had the same issue with her 2004 stratus. I took it to a shop and had them reflash the computer and it took care of the problem. A week or two before the problem occured the battery had went dead. To the point that the car stalled while driving. The mechanic said that this may have caused the computer issue. Anyways reflashing it solved the problem. I posted this for others that may have done a search like I did and came across this thread. This could save you alot of time and money.