Car shakes when downshifting and stalls sometimes

Tiny
MARCOSP
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 240,000 MILES
I got this car used and I am trying to diagnose some intermittent transmission issues.

When I am in a high gear and I start breaking, the car shakes a lot before each downshift.

If I brake the car too quickly it stalls when it stops, and I have to put in park and start again.

Sometimes even after starting the car again it shuts off when I put in Drive.

Should I start by changing transmission fluid and filter as first step? If so, would I be able to save the fluid in case I have to change something else later on?
Monday, November 22nd, 2021 AT 11:14 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 12,963 POSTS
That sounds like a torque converter that is sticking in lockup mode. That means that when it shifts, or you are coming to a stop the converter doesn't slip like it should because it's locked. Changing the fluid might help but, in all likelihood, it is going to need to be rebuilt. I say rebuilt because with that mileage and needing to be removed to replace the converter it would be a good idea to do it all at once. It's possible the issue is a failing solenoid but usually those fail by not engaging the lock-up, they don't cause it to stick.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid
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Monday, November 22nd, 2021 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
MARCOSP
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Hi Steve, thank you for your answer.

Sorry, the mileage is wrong, it's about 149,000 miles, 240,000 km.

I don't think I would rebuild the transmission since it would cost more than the car itself so I am looking for some alternatives or something I can do on my own.

I will start with the transmission fluid / filter change. I am pretty sure this car never had one. If that's not the problem I will try to get some used parts and taking my time replacing it.
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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There are a lot of them in the salvage yards so you might be able to find one reasonable and swap it out, depends on your location, the you-pull-it yards around me get about $200.00 for a used unit but you have to be choosy getting one, I usually look for a car that was damaged, like a rollover or rear ended or the like, something that says it was actually being driven before it came to the yard. The ones that look like you could drive them home scare me, why would they be in a salvage yard unless there was an engine or transmission problem taking them off the road. Now if it's a bad engine the transmission could be okay, but that's a judgement call.

As for the service it is a routine drop the pan and filter type, just be sure to use Mopar ATF +4 type fluid, the 62TE is a bit picky about that.
After you have the filter and pan back on (silicone for the pan sealer) add in 4 quarts and start it, run it through the gears and then check the fluid level, you want it roughly 3mm below the low mark to start. Now run it a bit and then check the level hot and add as needed.
Let us know how it turns out.
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
MARCOSP
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Hi Steve, it makes total sense what you said about the salvage yard.

I found a original for $299.00 on sale so that's another good option, I just need to make sure that the converter is the problem, and I can replace it.

Do you think it could be solenoid being locked? When the shake happens is before shifting, after it shifts it stops until the next downshift. Sometimes even after I come to a complete stop the engine is still running but as soon as I start accelerating it stalls. Could it be it locked in a higher gear? The car doesn't have a gear indicator for some reason, only when I turn the manual shift on.

What about Transmission Fix fluid, should I give it a try as well?

Last question, this Dodge doesn't have a transmission fluid dipstick, any tips on how to check fluid level?
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 AT 3:48 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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I wouldn't bother with the fix fluid; it usually isn't a good thing in those units. The symptoms say a sticking lock up in the converter. It is basically a clutch that is supposed to engage and eliminate any slippage between the engine and the transmission. If it doesn't release properly it acts like a clutch in a manual transmission and causes shudder and stalling.
There should be a tube on the side of the transmission where a stick would go. If you google "Carava /Town and Country 62TE Transmission Dipstick Hack" you should get a South Main auto video showing a nice easy method to check the fluid using the dipstick you have in the engine, just wipe the engine oil off first.
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
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I just checked the transmission fluid level and its way too high, even with the engine cold it's way past the 55mm (max when hot) on the dipstick. I would say it's around 70mm or more right now.

I will replace the transmission fluid and filter and add the proper quantity this weekend and see if it helps. I am hoping to get some more of this car without spending too much.
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Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
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Sorry, I was wrong, it's past the 55mm when it's hot.
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Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 AT 7:50 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Overfull can cause issues but usually not that one, although it's possible the fluid cannot cool down as well. Just be sure the dipstick isn't going in past the stop in there or you can get the wrong readings. I don't recall if that van has the transmission fluid temperature on the driver's info center. On some you can go into the menu and pull up oil pressure, water temperature, transmission fluid temperatures. Makes it easier to check the level.
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Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 AT 11:48 AM

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