Chrysler Repair: PTU Solenoid : 92 Lebaron electronic trans, chrysler lebaron, 1992 chrysler lebaron

Question
QUESTION: I had the codes read off my 1992 Lebaron, I was told that the PTU seloniod was bad. Three people where I had the codes read have never heard of it. Did not know where it was on the car and did not know what it did.
Could you tell me where to find this, what it does? The car still runs like a champ! However it is always shows its charging when it is running.

ANSWER: Hi Scott,
If you mean a code 37 and you also have the 3-speed conventional automatic transmission and a 4 cylinder engine, then the electrical plug for that solenoid is mounted on the transmission next to the vertical rod that when rotated changes the gears. The solenoid is actually inside the transmission so you would have to do some partial dismantling. The other possibility is that the wiring to the plug is faulty.
On the other hand, if you have 4-speed electronic transmission and the 6 cylinder engine, there ia actually not an electrical solenoid but rather the torque converter lockup function, which is what all this is about, is operated hydraulically by a valve inside the transmission. So if you can clarify which powertrain you have we can get to the bottom of this. Was the code readout from the plug in the engine comparment or the one from the plug in cabin? Did they tell you the code number.
If the red charge light is 'on' that means it is NOT charging sufficiently and the battery is going to run out of charge. You probably need to replace the altenator.
Roland

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

QUESTION: Hello Mr. Finston

The info. you need for the 1992 Chrysler Lebaron is:
 Yes it was a code 37
 It is a 3.0 6 cyl. 4 speed tranny
 Code taken from the engine compartment

 Thank You for let me know the alternator might need replaced.
         Scott  

Answer
Hi Scott,
You are welcome. The 37 code on the engine controller memory is really applicable to the 3-speed automatic so I believe that this is a phantom code due to their being no solenoid of that type to respond to a test of its present. In any case if you are getting normal shifting from the transmission I would not be concerned. The access to the transmission controller if you want to check that out is via a blue plug near the fuse box at the left end of the dash. But the code reader would have to have the separate 'data link connector' and be capable of reading out the codes therefrom.
Roland