2003 Chrysler Town and Country Transmission rough shifting

STEVE_C80

MEMBER
2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
78,000 MILES

The transmission on my 2003 Chrysler minivan began making a hard downshift from third to second about 2 months ago. I took it to a repair shop where they rebuilt it. About two weeks later the problem returned and the mechanic said that the problem was caused by a faulty control module. He repaced the module with a used one. About two weeks later the problem returned again. I have a warranty on all the work but want to know if anyone is familiar with this problem on Chrysler minivans and what the cure is. Other than the extremely rough downshift the transmission seems to be operating normally.

5 Replies

MOUSER

MEMBER
1 POST

We are having the same problem. The dealership will not fix a problem unless thier computer says there is something wrong. Mine has even started stalling. Our dealerships answer is drive it until it breaks down. Give you alot of confidence doesn't it?

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Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 AT 10:03 AM

WILLIAM BERRY

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1 POST

My 2003 Town and Country van started having rough shifts from 1st to 2nd gear with gentle acceleration. It later developed intermittent down shifts with no speed changes while cruise control was active (level ground). Problem was not with the transmission but with the Throttle Position Sensor. $27.00 part fixed the problems!

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Sunday, May 28th, 2017 AT 3:32 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,723 POSTS

Thank you for that update. In fact, the original post didn't mention anything about having read the diagnostic fault codes. That could have saved them a lot of time and money. The description of the symptoms suggests it was going into "limp mode" where it goes to and stays in second gear.

The Transmission Computer also learns and stores four values called the "clutch volume index", (CVI) referring to the volume of fluid it takes to apply each of the four clutch packs. An experienced transmission specialist can tell by those numbers how close the transmission is to needing to be rebuilt. Without that, there is no way to tell how much life is left in it because based on those values, the computer constantly modifies its shift "overlap" to maintain a "like-new" shift feel. You don't get the year or two of warning from sloppy shifts like we did with the older transmissions.

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Sunday, May 28th, 2017 AT 8:07 PM

CLAIR IVERSON

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Have a 2003 Chrysler Town Country hard shift 1st 2nd on acceleration have two transmission in used same problem. No one knows? 6 transmission experts? Was told maybe catalytic converter. Chrysler has know idea.

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Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 AT 7:33 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good evening,

Did anyone reflash the transmission control module?

I posted below a TSB for hard shifting and the resolution was a software update.

Roy

NUMBER: 21-006-03 REV. A

GROUP: Transmission

DATE: August 1, 2003

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 21-006-03, DATE JUNE 20, 2003, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDES ADDITION OF KJ AND 2.4L RS VEHICLES, REVISED NOTES, AND NEW APPLICATION TABLE.

**THE SOFTWARE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON TechCONNECT FOR CS, JR, LH, PL, PT, 3.3L AND 3.8L RS/RG, AND TJ VEHICLES**.

**THIS BULLETIN IS BEING PROVIDED IN ADVANCE FOR 2.4L RS/RG VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON TechCONNECT ON OR AFTER AUGUST 18, 2003. KJ SOFTWARE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON TechCONNECT ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 3, 2003.**

SUBJECT:
Transmission Harsh 4-3 Downshift

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM).

MODELS:

2004 (CS) Pacifica 2003 - 2004 (JR) Sebring Convertible/Sebring Sedan/Stratus Sedan **2003 (KJ) Liberty** **2003 (KJ) Cherokee (International Markets)** 2003 - 2004 (LH) 300M/Concorde/Intrepid 2003 (PL) Neon/SX 2.0 2003 (PT) PT Cruiser 2003 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets) 2003 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager 2003 (TJ) Wrangler

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NOTE:
**Refer to the following table for specific applications. **

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

Vehicle may exhibit, after an extended soak (several hours), a harsh 4-3 downshift.

DIAGNOSIS:

Using a Scan Tool (DRBIII(R)) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures, verify all engine systems are functioning as designed. If DTCs are present record them on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further with this bulletin