Chrysler Repair: Clutch volume indices: electronic transaxle, dodge grand caravan, solenoid pack

Question
QUESTION: couple months ago I've asked a question about transmission (below that message).

Good new is that there is no DTC stored also there is no 1 trip codes.
Bad news is - I still don't know what is wrong with my tranny

I've made snaphot of CVI indexes, are they correct?
Please advise.
below link to the snapshot of DRB screen

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9135/20100317drb3dsc07575.jpg[/img]
By [URL=http://profile.imageshack.us/user/kitt78][/URL]


I've encountered some problems with my transmission (dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 AWD year 2000).
I've already exchange transmissin oil twice (once with filter) Oil was dirty and brownish but smells normally -(not burned).
I've replaced Solenoid Pack (brand new)
I've checked by OBDII reader - but no transmission error codes (question: is it possible to check and read codes by standard OBDII reader codes from transmission? or it is possible only by DRBII)

My main problem is:
When I start my car in the morning (engine is cold and aslo transmission oil is cold; ambient temp. 15 Deg Celcius or less)

Engine works fine, idle approx 900~700rpm.

And after changing from PtoR or NtoD or NtoR (and all other combination when cold - engine stops idle - dies,

-Then I start again engine try to put gear once again sometimes is good and I can drive - no problems all day(until next morning)

- or sometimes I must afer changing gear to D or R quickly release brake - car is driving going forward or reverse.
If in last case if I push brake pedal just after releasing brake pedal Engine will stop idle. But I if I push brake pedal after 100m of driving it will be no problem all day long)

I was visiting couple mechanics (they dont have DRBII or DRBIII scanning tool) - first diagnosis Solenoid Pack (it's echanged now).
Now they telling me Converter.
But This is guessing not diagnosis.

Please support me with some clues or good advices.
Thanks in Advance.

ANSWER: Hi Krzysztof,
The trans fault codes should be accessible by any good OBD-II reader. The behavior you describe would appear to relate to the torque converter clutch control. There is a code 1740 that would corroborate that problem. The issue with it could be in the valve body of the electronic transaxle where there is a switch valve, a control valve and a regulator valve all three related to the torque converter clutch. As the valve body can be removed and serviced without having to take out the transmission from the vehicle my inclination would be to inquire of a qualified shop whether they believe that the symptom could be due to an issue within the valve body or not, and if so what is the cost and likelihood of that repairing the problem; and if not, then that implies an issue inside the torque converter proper and the cost/likelihood of that repair. So if there is such a shop I would engage them in a discussion about servicing those valves in the valve body as the first approach.

ANSWER: Hi Krzysztof,
Thanks for the details on this problem. I tried to read the cvi data but so far couldn't connect to it. I will try again.
But, because you changed out the solenoid pack and the problem persists, and because there are no fault codes (an OBD-II reader should get transmission as well as engine fault codes with no problems), and because the behavior still is consistent with a torque converter lock-up that is not releasing reliably when cold, I would agree with the mechanics who say the torque converter is the problem. Whether it is worth the cost of replacing it will be the question as it involves removal of the transmission to do that. Because you appear to have an alternative which will work around the problem most of the time, you might want to opt to "live" with it the way it is on the hope that it will get better on its own. It would seem that if you don't have the brakes on when you first move it to D or R helps, then that might be the best strategy for now.
I doubt that you will find anything simple that will resolve the problem in-expensively.
Roland
PS Please 'rate' my answer. Thanks

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: CVI Indexes are
LR CL      52
2-4 CL     55
OD CL     117
UD CL      65
TEMP 92C (HOT TRANS) VOLT 2,45
RPM 723

Answer
Hi Krzysztof,
I reviewed the numbers and compared them to typical volumes shown as acceptable in a '00
Avenger/Sebring manual for the ETAX which is similar if not identical to that in the minivan:
LR 35-85, 2-4 20-77, OD 75-150, UD 34-70. It appears that your trans fits within these specs.
Roland
PS Thank you for the rating and nomination