1993 Dodge Caravan Tranny not shifting

CHRISTY2139

MEMBER
1993 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
240,000 MILES

Hi there. We had changed the alternator in our 1993 caravan, and after that it will not shift up. I was looking on your pages earlier about a transmission in a caravan not shifting up, and read that you guys suggest driving until it is good and warm, then turning it off, then turning the key on and off 4 times to re set it. I tired that a about 5 or six times all test driving in between, and it still wont shift up. It did shift once for us, and then not again after that. Do you have any other suggestions we could try? Thanks for your time.

5 Replies

CH112063

MECHANIC
1,320 POSTS

I need some information, oh and hi, could you check the fluid first, then I want you to buy a test light(6-12volt), they sell em here if you don't have one. Read how there are fuses inside and under the hood, if one of them popped, the TCM will not power up. If it was a sensor, it would not start out already in limp-in but as the failure occurs, would drop it in 2nd. So I need one more thing, the fault codes out of the Chrysler diagnostic connector. I have a feeling a fuse, or fuse link burned. Fuse links are wires that burn to open the circuit, so check them if this is your setup. It changed earlier in caravans to fuses but may still have fuse links. The fuses are in a power center near the battery if you have the plastic fuses instead of the link wires. Test everything with key on and power on both sides of the fuse or fuse link. If it just happened and the alternator was over charging, it may have burned somrething in the system, I hope not the TCM transmission computer.
Fluid, fuses, codes. Have a nice day and please be careful. Thanks

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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 2:58 PM

CHRISTY2139

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4 POSTS

Thanks for the super fast response! The fluid is full, we just did an tranny service hoping that would help, but that didnt either! I wll get the test light out and check those fuses asap! Thanks again!

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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 4:21 PM

CH112063

MECHANIC
1,320 POSTS

It sounds like the TCM which controls upshifts isn't getting any power or is bad, if I can help let me know if you have a 3.0 or 3.3 engine, good luck, it's usually a blue wire that comes from the ignition switch from a splice near the starter relay. I own a 93 also. Ok

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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 5:28 PM

CHRISTY2139

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4 POSTS

Thanks! It is a 3.3L.I will check out that wire! You are are awesome!

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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 7:12 PM

CH112063

MECHANIC
1,320 POSTS

Ok. I just would have went for your van's history before anything. I would have wanted to understand the reason for the alternator change, an over-charge or under-charge condition. I just hope an intermittant short caused an overcharge that still exists at times and is related. I needed the engine size. Thank-you, I will check back, good luck anyway. My pleasure.