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I have a 2001 dodge caravan that I've been using to pick-up scrap with, and now it will not shift out of 1st gear. I've tried researching it online, but haven't really come up with much. Cars are not my thing, and I was hoping that one of you guys might be able to shine some light on the issue for me. Any idea's on what this might cost to get fixed?
Binding linkage. Maybe $10 or $2,000 if the transmission is shot.
We had a couple of mini vans when the kids were growing up...the one like yours needed the trans replaced around 110k and from what I understand it is a frequent problem.
could be a bad 1-2 shift solenoid.
Shift Solenoid or a Transmission problem most likely!
I have a voyager ive been waiting to part out that has a bad 2-3 shift. Id go for a complete rebuilt valve body over just replacing a solenoid but thats just me, i wouldnt want to have to drop the pan and replace another solenoid after another 20k miles. Why replace it if you can do a quality repair at an affordable price.
I know on the older Dodge/Chrysler products the filter seemed to be a weak link. Some services that specialize in "transmission flushes" will suck the fluid out the dipstick hole, and the way I understand it, doing it that way will suck everything (fluid/dirt) out thru the filter and plug it up for later on.
A good service entails dropping the pan and replacing the filter/gasket also. If you have ever had a "trans. flush", a plugged filter could be a problem.
You might try Googling the problem and seeing what comes up, found all my potential problems with my Taurus there also.
Thanks everyone for your input. Any idea on what a rebuilt valve body would go for? Honestly If i could get another 20k out of it, that would be fine with me. I honestly don't have a lot to dump into it right now, so I'm hoping its a "relatively" cheap fix, but that never seems to be the case.
could look it up and pm you that info but need to know the model number of the tranny, for example my jeep has a 42rle, so it would be a number similar to that. If you drop the pan and see metal, forget it you have bigger issues. Id recommend doing the basic fluid/filter change procedure first so you can get a better idea of what your up against.
Solenoids are pretty affordable from what i remember.
Thanks jghilino. I'll PM you, when I can get a minute. Right now i'm breaking down a few things, but I'll let you know. Thanks again for your help.
Try this first, try shifting it manualy, if it shifts that way then you have a bad vaccum hose. The problem then would be finding the vaccum hose that is bad. If that dosen't work then try the filter and fluid change.
i will assume you checked for corect fluid level, if you have to add fluid on use ATF+4 fluid in a chrysler transmission, have you had the PCM scanned for trouble codes yet, if not you should, i have replaced alot of solenoid packs on mopar minivans, if you have a code for something in the transmission it will usually be a P07XX code, if you have it scanned and get a code PM me and i will see if i can get you pointed in the right direction on it
one more thing, is stuck in first gear or second, if the transmission goes into "limp mode" it will be in second gear all the time if you are driving it very slow see if you can manually shift it into 1st gear and see if it downshifts, im not trying to question you i just hear from alot of customers that it wont come out of first gear when it is actually stuck in 2nd. if it is in 2nd it would be more likley to be a electronic fault like a solenoid or a input or output shaft sensor then a mechanical issue
No, I'm sure it will not shift out of first gear and have tried to shift it manually to no avail. Max I can safely get it up to is around 40 and its running at around 4000rpms or more at that point. I've checked the fluid levels and those are fine as well. This van has had constant electrical issues, ranging from the power windows not working, to the radio not switching from AM to FM. Those are just a few of the issues I've had with it. Joe I plan on taking it in at some point this week for diagnostics, and I'll let you know what the code is.
ok just send me a pm so i am sure to see it. the windows and radio are more component level failures so i wouldnt say you have a completly trashed electrical system, just kinda common mopar things
2001 Dodge Caravan Used Transmissions
Dont know if this helps, maybe a bit late.
I love my Dodge van, luckily its not a Caravan
Yea, I'm kind of curious just how this came out after all the guessing and advice that was given. Hope it wasn't as bad as it sounded.Quote:
Originally Posted by MsPotatoHead
My mom use to have a Plymouth voyager, and if trany fluid and filter wasn't changed every 40-50000 miles it'd did the same thing. Id start there.