Chrysler Repair: 1989 chrysler tc: common trans problems?, chrysler tc, duane bass

Question

MY TC is up and runnin Mr Finston
Thank you very much for the help a couple of weeks ago with my Chrysler TC
Maserati.  It passed the tests after I drove it real hard for half a tank with
some injector cleaner in it. I got it al registered last friday, and the day I got it
registered another one came up for sale, at the Goodwill, at auction.  88k
original miles, garage kept.  I got it for $2000. It is beautiful, and I am going
to really enjoy this one.  I really enjoy driving my first TC, as it is really a fine
luxury car.   It has a transmission problem.  It is the A413, and it will not do
reverse, and bogs down in the forward gears.  The mechanic at Goodwill said
it is a common problem for this transmission.  What I am needing to know, if
this so called common problem, is so prevalent, that the answer is known to
experts?  Is there a procedure for diagnosis of transmission problems?  Do I
check engine codes first?  I have no experience with transmissions, but this
one seems like a really simple one so I am willing to give it the old college try.  
Thanks again, and I noticed that you are #1 in response time, and have to
concur with that.
Duane Bass

Answer
Hi Duane,
Nice going on acquiring that TC Maserati.
The A413 is a very reliable transmission. It has a long history of good service and I was unaware of any specific problem being more frequent in this vehicle. I have an '89 LeBaron coupe with the same transmission and about 115,000 miles with no problems so far. Of course my 2.5L non-turbo is much less demanding which may explain the problems you are having given the high torque of yours.
This trans is non-electronic so there are no codes available to readout. There are ports for measuring hydraulic pressures however so finding a good shop that can do some diagnositc measurements would be a good place to start.
The hydraulic pressures could be low in general, the low/reverse band could be worn out, there could be a valve body malfunction, or the gear shift linkage may need adjustment. A band adjustment procedure on the kickdown and low/reverse bands might help.
Roland