2001 Chrysler Town & Country - Transmission Shot?

SCOTTFL

MEMBER
2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

My wife drives the T&C and has put about 130,000 miles on it with no major repairs required, nothing related to the transmission outside the normal flush and fill which was last done at 90,000 miles.

Yesterday she claimed it made a thunking noise and then wouldn't shift to high gear (Tach hits readline at 60 mph).

I tested it and she seems right. Reverse is fine. Put it in drive and you hear a droping thunk. It has no low end power and obviously doesn't hit over drive. Seems like it is stuck in second. The Engine Light has also turned on as a result of this issue.

As most people, money is tight right now. What am I looking at? Is this a full transmission replacement or what?

Advise is appreciated! Should I go to a dealer or find a small shop somewhere? I am in West Palm Beach Florida.

Thanks!

Scott

1 Reply

TPYOUNG

MEMBER
1 POST

It's the transmission. Happened twice to me on a 96 T&C. Same symptoms, there is a safety mechanism that defaults the transmission to second. Or so I was told. It's costly, I've always gone through the dealer. This is not an unusual problem for this vehicle although the dealership will say it's a maintenance problem. I don't know what a used or salvaged transmission would cost. New it was about 2,000.

Good luck