Help!! Acting Crazy After Transmission Rebuild!!

[phantomj_99]

I have a 1996 Dodge Caravan. All has been well until the transmission went out. I had it rebuilt and just picked up the van this afternoon. On the way home from the shop, the oil lamp warning gauge came on and also noticed that the temperature gauge was running hot, however the van itself didn't show any symptoms of overheating. I pulled in to the closest service station and checked the oil. It was fine. Also, again no signs of overheating. I should also add that the van had a high idle, something it didn't have prior to the rebuilt transmission. Also, the heater (which always worked fine) seems to now only want to blow cold air and when turning it on, the oil lamp light goes off. I am not sure if this is a random glitch or something serious that needs to be fixed. As it is right now, I am scared to death to drive it as I have three small children and definatly don't want to be stranded. ANY and ALL help/suggestions are welcomed!!

[Bernard Feltzer]

Sounds like they left some vacuum hose disconnected causing the high idle, maybe thay got some of the plugs going to the different sensors and sending units mixed up. Sounds like some idiots worked on your van, no one takes pride in their work any more. I would be afraid to drive the van too. Might as well junk it and buy a new one, too old to be bothered fixing it any ways.

[webbch]

I'd ask the tranny shop what kind of fluid they used (in the tranny of course)as a little test to see if they even have half a clue. Anything other than ATF+3 or ATF+4* and you know you're screwed on this one. If they used the correct fluid, then maybe, just maybe, there was a legitimate and honest mistake made by an otherwise competent mechanic. One can always hope anyway....

*ATF+3 is the official type to use for this year van, but given that you had the tranny rebuilt, ATF+4 is the way to go. It's not recommended to switch to ATF+4 UNLESS you've just had the tranny rebuilt. Lots of discussion on this issue if you run a search in the archives

[Cntrysthbst]

Welcome!! Can you check for codes? Hopefully it's something simple!

[jmroot]

I had about the same thing happen to me and I figured out the shop must have bumped the pressure sender for the oil. as for the over heating on any rebuild put in an add on trans cooler. just safe that way and besides if the trans was put together tight it might be why it's running hot. I would ask about the fluid as well. some shops just put the same thing into everything and put in an additive for chry. and that makes them run hot too.