Chrysler Repair: 03 auto. Neon cuts out when put in gear, chrysler neon, auto neon

Question
Hi there,
I was wondering if you could help me?I have a 2003 chrysler neon (europe spec) and when going from P or N to D or R the vehicle cuts out.Using drb iii, Iget dtc p0706 check shifter signal.I carried out a shifter test on the drb and that passed,also the fluid level is fine.The diagnostic flow diagram concludes that as the dtc did not return after being erased that the fault is intermmitant but still happens every time.I cannot carry out the cvi test as I cannot get the vehicle to stay running in a driving gear.I also do not have the transmissin simulator. There was only the above dtc present on the vehicle in the tcm.Mnay thanks in advance
john m

Answer
Hi John,
That sounds like the torque converter lock-up clutch is locked up so the two halves of the turbine are spinning together rather than free wheeling. Thus the engine dies, when you shift into any gear. If you did that without having your foot down fully on the brake (if you just hold the brake pedal down slightly enough to turn on the brake light but not actually pressure the brake lines) the car should lertch just like it would do if you "popped" the clutch on a manual shift vehicle.
If this is a three speed automatic (non-electronic) you would find a wire connector for the clutch solenoid mounted just in front of the vertical shift rod of the trans. You could try disconnecting that wire and see if the clutch releases. If it did, then the orange/black wire from the solenoid to the pcm is shorted to ground.  If not, then you would have to go in from the drain pan side of the trans to replace the clutch solenoid in the hopes that it is the cause of the lock up. I don't think you have to remove the trans but you do have to drop the pan, remove the valve body to service that solenoid.
Roland