Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

I meant differential. I'll edit my previous post.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

I think we are beyond the casual testing phase, and into the tranny shop saying how much a rebuilt transmission will be. Then comes the decision on is it worth it to repair it. Its fun.

Really.

:(

Except not really.

Wetzel

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Will it even get into second, being an automatic? I don't think that the shift program will allow this, no matter what the gearshift indicates.

Maybe in some sort of diagnostic mode?

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Actually, depending on how the car/tranny reacts in different gear selections, you can usually figure out what is wrong inside the tranny without taking it apart. But you need a chart/info specific to the transmission to know which bands and clutches are engaged in each gear selection.

And yes, she should be able to put it in second.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Most automatics that have a "2" gear will "lock" it in second so you can opt out of the torque of first in slippery conditions.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

we couldnt shift it into any gear without getting the same result. all of the teeth on the planetaries were probably sheared off. just shifting into a new gear was a challenge. i think those teeth just clogged it all up.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Heh...

My kind of thread. Time for me to chime in here...

1. You CAN NOT over ride the gear selection - even when you selector says 3, 2-1. This just gives you no torque converter lockup in 3 and in 1-2 it gives you engine compression braking. When you are going around 35 - put it in "1" and watch you start to slow down a lot and your engine revvs up. This is meant to help save brakes during mountain travel.

2. If you have ever put in Mercron/Dextron transmission fluid in a Chrysler vehicle - you just screwed it. Due to the different additives/viscosities of the fluids - this will be a ticking time bomb. Chrysler is very finicky... (All the Jeep freaks out there - the Asin-Warner 4 [AW-4] is the ONLY EXCEPTION. Use Dextron/Mercron for that)

3. You have the 4-speed transmission. Only the 3-speed was used in the Neons (A poor choice at that)

4. Where did you just have the transmission serviced and how long ago? You should have some sort of warranty - and I'd complain till high heaven. That is total BS if they do nothing.

5. I bet you just burnt up a clutch pack - I still have yet to see any regular street vehicle break the planetary gear sets.

6. The weak point in most Chryslers are the transmissions (In the FWD vehicles) Chrysler hasn't designed a good transmission for their FWD vehicles IMHO. As much as I'd hate to say this - You're better off getting a Chevrolet Venture or a Ford Windstar. You have the 3.0 V-6? Did you know that is just a Mitsubishi motor with a Chrysler intake?

I, my self, have become a GM man. What they have done in the past is far superior to the imports, Ford and Chrysler. I would like to get a hold of a few new Chryslers and see how they have revamped their stuff though...

I think that is good for now. Happy motoring and hope you can get your problem fixed ASAP! :)

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

she had the transmission serviced about 3 months ago for a ridiculous amount of money to fix some problem, her parents couldnt remember what it was. so i am assuming it has something to do with the clutch.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

It really sounds like Matt has got the closest to a correct diagnosis. I got rid of my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan last summer. The Chrysler transmissions are not as good as competitors which is pretty ironic since Chrysler was the first big guy to put automatics in cars in the fifties and they were great then. From the early 90's on, Chrysler trannies were notorious for leaks which would lead to a variety of problems if the fluids were not checked regularly. The trannie does have what Mopar (Chrysler) calls the "limp home" mode. The electronically shifted transmission shifts to second gear and holds it so that you can get the car somewhere safe or home if you are close. You didn't mention if "Park" worked so I am guessing it didn't, that would point to something downstream from the park gear lock. If park didn't work and the trans wasn't in second and you didn't say that any lights were on, the obvious first place to look is the CVC joints. One side going out(there are two), would give many of the symptoms described. Unless you have the optional traction control transmission, aplying the gas would get you nowhere. If both of those are OK then the transaxle is the next logical place to look and that is part of the transmission. It lives on the back side of the transmission. In either case, the people who replaced or worked on the transmission are the next place to visit. I wish there was better news, Genia, but it doesn't sound like it.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Heh...broken planetaries...saw a few of those during my transmission classes, however, they still had all the gear teeth on them. The planetaries are one of the stronger parts of the tranny, but they aren't invincible.

I would take a Chrysler minivan over the Windstar any day. The trannies they put in it won't last 70,000 miles. And they are also picky about using ATF. Out of American companies, I would say that GM currently has the best transmissions, but I will diverge from American cars to say that some of the Japanese transmissions are far better than anything offered by an American car.

I have a Chrysler transmission though and I am very happy with it (only wish it was a four speed). They made things a lot better back in the 60's :D. The only thing wrong with the tranny after 37 years of driving is that the 2nd gear blocker ring is starting to wear out, so it doesn't shift into 2nd so smooth anymore.

Re: Genia and Mike's Walmart Frolic Gone Wrong
 

Btt.

Any fix for the problem yet? I kinda want to know how this tuned out!