2000 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L Transmission Issues

[MIKENYAK]

Hey you Dodge Wizards.... I have a 2000 Dodge Caravan with 3.8L engine and 165,000 miles. Here is question #1. The transmission will not shift out of low gear. 30MPH is 2500 RPM. What could be the problem? I have just changed the fluid and filter and put in some SLICK 50 Automatic Transmission stuff.

Question # 2. Does anyone out there know if the tranny in these 3.8L engines is the same as the 3.3L or possibly the 3.0L.

My van is a Grand Caravan and I assume not many Dodge Caravan's had a 3.8L in them. I know there is a slew of 3.3's out there.


HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

[allenprimo913]

you're right i believe 3.8 is better than 3.3 that i have. i have a pl;y voyger 3.3 and my transmission is acting funny for the last 2 mos. but it doenst give me codes. iyt jerks when it shift gear to 3rd then jerks when it slows down. funny thing too is only does it when its warmed up. so i gave up on this problem.

now, it gives me oil engine light but i check my oil level its there where it should be then when the van runs for few minutes it goes away.

and again, it was running fine then service engine soon comes on, no codes.

so i dont know im giving up i m putting mine for sale it has 143k on it.

good luck

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by MIKENYAK

Hey you Dodge Wizards.... I have a 2000 Dodge Caravan with 3.8L engine and 165,000 miles. Here is question #1. The transmission will not shift out of low gear. 30MPH is 2500 RPM. What could be the problem? I have just changed the fluid and filter and put in some SLICK 50 Automatic Transmission stuff.

Question # 2. Does anyone out there know if the tranny in these 3.8L engines is the same as the 3.3L or possibly the 3.0L.

My van is a Grand Caravan and I assume not many Dodge Caravan's had a 3.8L in them. I know there is a slew of 3.3's out there.


HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP

To my knowledge the tranny is the same along it is a 4 speed. Some of the vans with the 3.0 have a 3 speed tranny.

You are describing the LIMP MODE, Since you have already changed the fluid (assuming you used ATF+4 only) I would check the input and output sensors on the tranny, make sure their connections are corrision free and not loose. ANother thing you can check is the solenoid pack connector on the tranny located just below the input and output sensors and the tranny cooler lines, check for moisture that may accumulate, dry and apply electrical grease to help prevent this in the future.

Does your speedometer work??

allenprimo have you had the TCM flashed yet to cure your problem??

[allenprimo913]

nope, they said i dont need my TCM re-flash they told me to just retrain my tranny????

i dont know what that means

[allenprimo913]

does anybody knows what to do in re-flashing the TCM?

or it has to be hooked up only or by the dealer only?

can it be done by just unplugging the battery or TCM connector?

[4breezes]

Originally Posted by allenprimo913

does anybody knows what to do in re-flashing the TCM?

or it has to be hooked up only or by the dealer only?

can it be done by just unplugging the battery or TCM connector?

In another thread I offered some suggested reading. Have you read that yet? It gives an overview of both flashing and retraining your transmission. It certainly gives you some food for thought.

I'll plug in the link again.

Transmission reading

[tempfixit]

MIKENYAK here is a thread that may be helpful to you, read post no 30.

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sho...t=10775&page=3

hope this helps

[MIKENYAK]

Just a quick update.. I did use Castrol ATF+4 tranny fluid. Also, I changed the TCM from one at junk yard. I also changed both speed sensors. It will shift up on takeoff (Hard) but shifts right back down to low gear almost immediately. I still need to work on the solenoid pack. One of the sensor's had a cracked connector (on sensor) so I immediately assumed it was the culprit. What I failed to mention in original post was that the van went into a ditch. Apparently the lady that owned it before me was run off the road. I assume she blew the driver's side tire since I found a receipt for a new tire in glove box. So tranny side of van hit hard.... I will keep you informed of what I find (or don't find).. I'm going to check the solenoid pack and maybe replace that also (junk yard) If nothing works, I am going to do a tranny swap. Can't see putting too much more money into trying to fix this one.... Oh Yeah, forgot one more thing, When I changed the fluid it was still red, not brown or black.....

[troy1]

instead of replacing parts you should get it scanned. It sounds like your trans is going into fail safe after the 1-2 shift.

[Jasper2000]

I had the same problem with a 96 T&C 3.8L and replaced a small vacuum house on a module behind the transmission on the driver's side about 2 months ago. Maybe 6" long and there is a electrical connector here as well. The problem seems to have disapeared after being a problem for a couple of years. I also found that if i pulled over and turned off the engine and started it again the problem went away for that portion of my driving.

[nymike]

Update: Bought new speed sensors and installed. Bought new solenoid pack and installed. Still same. Haven't got plates on it yet and nearest tranny shop is 30 miles away. Will it really mess it up to drive it that far at 3400 RPM to get it checked/scanned. Thanks all for help. As you can see it is not my only driver. I am playing with this thing a little at a time. Want to get it up and running this summer though.

[Jasper2000]

well my problem has since come back after an absence of several months (!). Still it does not happen but once a week, but I had thought the vacuum line was the issue but I really suspect there are more problems here.