When warm transmission will down shift and hesitate

AARON.D

MEMBER
2008 DODGE CARAVAN
3.6L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

The transmission pulls fine. I believe a sensor has gone bad because it will shift but once it has warmed up the transmission will down shift and hesitate really. If you put it in manual shift it will drive for a little bit but then it kicks itself back in automatic and will not go back in manual.

Got code p0972 of the dash and looked it up says gear ratio is reading off. If I disconnect the battery will it reset?

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Unfortunately, the code may clear but most likely it will come back. What I would suggest is trying to check and change the fluid.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

However, the most likely cause of this is an internal issue with the transmission.

This code is telling you that the gear ratio is not what it expects to see. Which normally means there is internal damage that is causing it to shift at an improper time.

Most likely you will find the transmission fluid is a dark color and does not smell correct. I suspect you have an issue with the torque converter clutch.

Below is the testing that we need to run through. Please let us know if you have questions. Thanks

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