"Doug" <sparks06524nospam@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:778g14pqvjl19jsosismr1f4h20q0es752@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> A friend has a 1996 T&C with the 3.8l engine.
>
> On damp or rainy days, the transmission suddenly kicks down into
> second, even if the vehicle is going at a high rate of speed - awkward
> on the highway. From the technical literature that I've read, it seems
> like it's going into the limp home mode.
>
> From the wiring diagram in a similar year tech manual, there are quite
> a few sensors and/or connections that can activate the kickdown relay.
>
> We took the van to a local Chrysler dealership and they insisted that
> the problem was caused by a bad alternator.
> The only thing wrong with that alternator (which I already knew) was
> minor bearing wear. I insisted that replacing it wouldn't help the
> transmission problem. They insisted that since I was not a "factory
> trained tech", I didn't know what I was talking about.
>
> My friend paid to have the alternator replaced and of course it didn't
> help. One week later in the rain, the transmission kicked down again
> at 65 MPH. On dry days, all is perfect.
>
> I asked the dealer service manager if they had scanned the error codes
> and he replied saying "we did was was required".
>
> Needly to say that my friend and are are disgusted with the
> dealership.
>
> I've pulled apart and cleaned with electronic contact cleaner all
> connectors to the power control module, pulled all relays and fuses,
> the PCM, visible sensor connections, etc to no avail.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
anytime the trans goes into limp mode a code is set. I think the
dealership saw an opportunity to make some money since I am quite
certain they sold your friend an alternator at a cost far in excess of
a simple rebuilt unit. Naturally if they didn't scan the trans then they
would not be able to tell you the code that was set!
Anyway, I own 2 T&C's a 94 and a 95 and done considerable work
on them. I would strongly recommend you replace the
"turbine sensor" aka input speed sensor. These hall-effect
sensors get intermittent when they get older and will cause this problem.
I actually think that they are the only part in the transmission that will
cause this without an accompanying other symptom, such as a big
grinding noise or some such. For some idiot reason known only
to Chrysler's transmission designers, the software in the trans computer
will immediately slam the trans into limp mode even at a high rate of
speed,
if the signal is lost from the input speed sensor for even a fraction of a
second, and if signal reappears from the input speed sensor it will
-keep- the trans in limp mode until you shut off and restart the car.
I would discount the rain issue, frankly. The fact of the matter is that
unless your going at a high speed, it is not easy for your typical
ignorant driver to even be aware that the trans has shifted into 2nd.
I strongly suspect that this trans has been doing this for some time now,
and your friend has somehow made some unconscious assumption that
it is due to water, so now he only notices it happening when it is
raining.
Ted
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