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Transmission issue?

Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 2014 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Bought the van listed above at the auction. Was hit on driver's door side.

Was supposed to run and drive.


Was towed to the house.

Goes into drive just fine.

Put into reverse. Will not go into a gear. Engine just revs.

Put into neutral engine revs. Cannot push the Van. So not really in neutral.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 12:40 PM

17 Replies

Tiny
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Hi,

I have a few questions. First, is the fluid clean and full? Next, you indicated you can't push the vehicle. It sounds like the linkage isn't working for anything other than drive. Have you checked the shift cable for damage resulting from the accident? The cable is mounted to the side of the transmission to the manual transmission lever. (Pic 1)

Next, when you shift through the gears, does the gear indicator show the correct gear?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
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I have the Van now at a Transmission shop. They are telling me it needs a rebuild or swap to a used Transmission.

Honestly, I do not think they have really done much to evaluate.

Since it is there, I cannot answer your questions thoroughly. Fluid appeared to be clean and full.

I did remove the battery and battery plate so I could see the linkage. Going through the gears it seemed to move the linkage lever just fine.

I believe the lights do light up.

So, I can drive the car. When stopped put it in park just fine.

Put in reverse you do feel and hear slightly something that makes you think it is in reverse. But it's not. Engine just revs. Cannot push the car while in reverse.

Put in neutral. Same thing.
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
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It could be a line pressure issue. There are different solenoids that control it. It could also be a hard part in the transmission. The only thing I could recommend is to first check the transmission line pressure. If it is good, then remove the transmission pan and check for contamination.

You could ask them if line pressure could be the issue. Reverse requires the most pressure to function.

Let me know what they say and how things work out for you.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, November 1st, 2022 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
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The shop has not dropped the pan nor checked line pressure. I went over and drove the van. Put it in Drive. Drove four miles. Shifted great. Sounds perfect. Then. Parked it. Same issue. Will not go in reverse or neutral. It is hard to get into the park position. You have to put a little effort into it.
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
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I would be checking the two things I mentioned. Also, the idea that it is hard to place in park may indicate a cable adjustment issue. When you shift to reverse, it may be between gears.

You could disconnect the shift cable at the transmission and when the engine is running and you have a helper holding the brake, click through one gear at a time. If it is in park, the next click should be reverse. See what happens.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 AT 1:48 PM
Tiny
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I could not do what you requested.

I did notice in reverse you do get the feeling that it is engaged. When you Rev the engine, you can feel the engine straining vs when you put it in neutral and the engine revs with no strain.

Still cannot push the Van in any gear when engine is off.

Trans shop still says the have to remove Transmission and tear it down.
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Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

No problem. Since you can't move it even with the engine off and there is a load on the engine when you place it in gear, but it doesn't move, I have a feeling the pinion shaft in the final drive may have come loose and is wedged preventing the vehicle from moving.

If the shop is taking things apart, let me know if that was the issue. You may want to ask their thoughts on that happening. It used to be somewhat common on older vehicles.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, November 7th, 2022 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
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Does that mean the whole transmission needs to be rebuilt?
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 5:31 AM
Tiny
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It shouldn't require a full overhaul if this is the issue. The first thing I would do is remove the differential cover and inspect the bearings and components. I attached a pic below showing the pan.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 AT 6:36 PM
Tiny
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Is the differential cover considered the pan?
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

No, the pan is what is removed to drain fluid.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
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This is still at the trans shop. They have not looked at it yet.

If I go pick it up. Would it be a smart move for me to pick it up and remove that cover? Assuming I can see the problem there would it be something a DIY person could tackle or still need a Trans expert? Is this the cover underneath the battery compartment?
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Monday, November 14th, 2022 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
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Hi,

I wouldn't recommend moving the vehicle until the cause is determined. To answer your question, if this has a traditional differential (final drive) cover, it is buried behind the transmission and difficult to access. They also used a clamshell design that requires a little more than removing the cover.

It's your call. I will help regardless of your decision.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, November 14th, 2022 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
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I can drive it. It drives great in drive. Amazing. Shifts awesome.
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Monday, November 14th, 2022 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
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I thought the vehicle didn't move. As far as your question is concerned, that is your call. I will try my best to help from here.

Let me know what you decide. Also, I need to better understand something. I reread through our conversation. In the first post, you indicated the engine just revs in reverse. In a post after that, you said in reverse you can feel the engine strain to move the vehicle. If the engine is loaded in reverse and the engine strains to move it, then my theory is very possible. If, however, you place it in reverse and it just revs without a load on the engine, that is something different.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
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The transmission shop just pulled it.

It was some kind of broke shaft for parking. Tech said, it had to break upon impact of a wreck while in park. So, they are now fixing.
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

A parking pawl. That makes sense. I didn't realize it was in park when it was in the accident. I attached a pic below of the part. It is nothing more than a steel shaft.

When you said the transmission felt like it was placing a load on the engine but not moving, I had a feeling it was something like this. I didn't suspect this part because I assumed it was being driven when it was in the accident. Maybe the vehicle was hit when it was parked.

If you have a chance, let me know how things turn out for you. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 AT 6:13 PM

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