2001 Sebring 3.0 limp mode problem

Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
My question regard a situation that member sincityman had back in july of 2008 when his 2001 mit was going to limp mode after changing transmission of another year. I have done the EXACT same things he had done and same problem. Wondered if he ever obtained the correct fix. Mine is a 2001 sebring with a 3.0 mitsubishi with a F4A51-2 tranny. I also had to utilize the front bell section to obtain the necessary speed sensor out of my old trans and change the carrier gear to get the right wormed gear to drive the speed sensor front the right front axle. Was anyone able to assist sincityman with his limp mode problem? If I need to take it to the dealer to completly clear the ecm and tcm, so be it, just dont want to spend useless money. Any help would be greatly appreciated, ramrandy. I have got several codes retrieved but always vary from one to the other shift solonoids malfuntioning.
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 2:44 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
I don't have that old post did you install same transmission type?
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
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  • 7 POSTS
Yes, same type F4A51-2 Mitsubishi trans. The replacement was out of an 02 Status with all the same equipment. Like I said the only thing I needed to change was the bell section in order to pick up the needed speed sensor to the right axle shaft. All appearance and
bolt pattern/everything else identical. Now I get intermittant codes after it cues the check engine light and goes into limp. As long as I reset the light with my inexpensive reader, it will shift
fine up through the gears until it****** bad and goes into limp. Reset again and shifts correctly again for a shot period. The codes have always referred to A solonoid, b solonoid and c, and d, solonoid malfunction. I have also run a seperate ground to the tranny thinking that may be part of the problem. I have swapped the entire group of solonoids from the original trans. I forgot to mention that the carrier gearss that needed to be change were the same ratio. Please help with what you suggest as the next move.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Check back at around 2:00pm I will look for technical bulletins on it. It is possible a pcm reflash is needed.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
OK will wait for reply. Also want to mention that the original donation is just a start.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
What I found is there is a bulletin about the tranny defaulting to limp in mode(2nd fear) Faulty trans relay Replace the transmission relay with P/N 04671168. If you want the full bulletin, post your email address and I will send it to you.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks, Randy at randy. Ha@hotmail. Com
Please send the bulletin.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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On the way.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well Merlin, it was'nt until after I went and purchased the relay
you suggested in the bulletin that I noticed the bulletin did NOT
include the 2001 Sebring coupe. Any other ideas for the coupe model that has everything mitsubishi including the F4A51-2 trans and the 3.0 mitsubishi engine? The dealer now said that they dont list a relay for the coupe model.
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Did the dealer say if a PCM reflash might help? Replaceing these type parts with parts from non coup or off brand might cause problems, Computer operated systems are tough when it goes wrong. But a reflash might put it right.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I only worked with the parts dept. And not the service dept. I guess I will make an appt with them $$$$$$ to see if they have any idea's. In the mean time any other advise would be appreciated. Does a pcm reflash reset both engine control and drive train controls?
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Yes.
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Friday, March 18th, 2011 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
RAMRANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I have the opportunity to get the ecm/tcm from the car that the replacement trans came out of. Both 3.0 and same trans, the only difference was the replacement came out of a 2002 and now in the 2001 model. Is there a chance that coupled with the original control unit, it might straighten out the limp mode problem? Seems like it would be just as effective as a reflash.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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It's not possible without a scantool DRBIII to replace the PCM here's why:
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE
This procedure needs to be completed every time a Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is replaced.
Secret key data must be programmed into Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) from PCM. See
SENTRY KEY IMMOBILIZER MODULE. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC).
Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, select THEFT ALARM, SKIM then MISCELLANEOUS. Then
select PCM REPLACED. Enter secured access mode by entering 4-digit pin. Press enter to transfer
secret key to new PCM. Now enter Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and mileage into new PCM.
Using scan tool, clear DTCs from ABS and ACM.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2011 AT 2:50 PM

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