Chrysler Repair: Shifting, 1995 chrysler concorde, chrysler concorde

Question
My car(1995 chrysler concorde 3.3) doesn't shift out of 3rd gear. (Nor does it seem to go into 1st or 2nd gear). There is not alot of info available on troubleshooting tranny's. I have not alot of starting points and am coming to the conclusion that is something to do with Transmission range switch, Speed control sensor, Torque management sensor, TCM, or possibly that the cruise control might have some part in the problem. I appreciate any information you may have for me. The vehicle runs well and there is no tranny fluid leaks or burntness to the fluid.

Answer
Hi Caryn,
I believe that you are actually only getting 2nd gear. That exact lock up is what happens when the transmission computer notices something is wrong and so it protects the transmission by driving in 2nd gear until it can be serviced so as to protect against any further damage. It is called "limp-in mode".
The chances are there is some internal mechanical wear/damage to the internal clutches of the transmission, but because the cost of rebuilding is so high it is worth spending a little on analyzing whether that is true or not. It may also be the case that the problem is with electrical connections/computer or with the transmission fluid system (hydraulic) and those can be repaired without removing or rebuilding the transmission at much less cost.
The transmission has an electronic controller that has the ability to recognize malfunctions and store them in its memory as two-digit fault codes. You need a readout of the transmission computer which is an electronic test for the presence of coded numbers representing different faults that the transmission is experiencing at the time when it locks up into 2nd gear.  An electronic readout device is plugged into a port under the dash to access the memory and tell you the fault code numbers. It would be worth spending about $50 to have this done just in case the problem had to do with the hydraulic or electronic parts rather than the internal mechanical parts because those could be repaired without taking the trans out of the car and dismantling it. So a dealer or a competent independent transmission shop (but NOT a franchise type like Aamco  where the usual answer will be to do a "rebuild") with a reader for Chrysler transmissions should be able to do that. Ask for the code number(s), what they mean, what repair is needed and how much it will cost. Be sure that they have the 6-pin ("bus data link connector") reader plug adapter that will give them access to the memory via the port under the dash. Their reader also has to be equipped with a program (cartridge) that accesses the transmission computer. A Chrysler dealer will have this device called a DRB II, but will charge more for the readout. You might get an agreement to credit the cost of the readout to a repair, if you agree to let them do it.
Then write back and we'll evaluate what you were told, particularly what are the fault code numbers. I have the '94 factory repair manual and can look up what the numbers mean and what needs to be done to fix this.
Roland
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