Slipping works fine until it warms up

SCONTRASTO

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
11,700 MILES

A couple of months ago as I backed out of the drive way. I felt a minor slip when I shiffted into drive. The mechanic said it was fine but that it was possibly on it's way out. I changed the fluid and filter with high quality synthetic trans. Fluid and the vehicle ran for 2 months with absolutely no problems. Recently The problem resurfaced and now it works fine until it warms up at which point the vehicle will not move at all. It just slips. Should I have not replaced the fluid with Full synthetic oil? Is the trans. Really gone or is there another problem?

4 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

Not sure if I would have gone synthetic at that mileage, I prefer to do that to fresher transmissions if at all, unless specified by the manufacturer. Dont feel all alone if your Dodge mini-van needs a new trans, they are/were notorious for trans problems, especially the OD trans. Yes, it does sound like yours is on its way out

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Friday, May 21st, 2021 AT 3:03 PM

SCONTRASTO

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Jacks answer has opened the door for several more questions. I have been searching through your site for similar problems reported and some of the results scare me from repairing this transmission yet I do like the van and have use for it if it could be repaired properly. Who can I trust will do me right and not overcharge for a bad repair. I am talking about a rebuilt or rebuilding my transmission. I am in agreement that a reputable chain trans. Shop is the way to go, if at all one exists.

Thank you for a straight answer.

Sam

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Friday, May 21st, 2021 AT 3:03 PM

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

One way to go is to have a new trans installed by Dodge, not the best price, I know but they will warranty it at any Dodge dealer in the US. I have heard stories of chains that wont warranty it unless you take it back to the point of repair

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Friday, May 21st, 2021 AT 3:03 PM

SCONTRASTO

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The dealer want's more to replace the transmission than the vehicle is worth.

After shopping around I found a reputable rebuilt shop with a 3 year unlimited mile warranty for $1,260.00 plus $175. For shipping. My mechanic will install it for $400.00.

The problem at this point now is that the vehicle was built in 6/95, I don't know why they did not have the day in this date code, and if built in 6/5/95 it would be a different transmission than 6/6/95, as I have been told. Other mechanics have told me that this is not so, that it is one and the same if the engine is the 3.8 ltr. Which it is.

Perhaps the transmission may be the same but how about the computer that controls the trany, does that matter, from one date to the next? Another mechanic said that the A604 (41 TE) was the standard trany for these vehicles for quite a few years 1990 to 2000 aproximately. This would cover my 96 if he is correct. But many insist that the above dates makes all the differance in the world. They are not the same.

Now I am really confused. I would like to change the trainy only if I am assured that it is correct and the computer is compatible. Does the vin. # Help to resolve this issue? 1B4GP54L97TB154031.

Has anyone else had this problem with their 96 Grand Caravan 3.8 ltr. 4 speed auto transmission?

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Friday, May 21st, 2021 AT 3:03 PM