QuestionQUESTION: Where is the transmission kickdown solenoid located on my 1999 dodge grand caravan 3.3 liter flex fuel. I need to know where it is located and will i have to drop the transmission to change it.
ANSWER: Hi Anna,
I assume that you have the 3 speed automatic (31th) that has the gear selector positions 1,2,D.
That is a veteran unit used for many years in the Chrysler corp. cars. My overall '98 shop manual shows it to be inside the transmission which would suggest that you have to remove the transmission to reasonably hope to repair the "Kickdown servo (controlled-load)" parts. There are four figures that show the specific disassembly/assembly of the servo, but the manual doesn't have text discussion so you have to infer how to get to the servo by following through the figures. You might want to explore whether there is a detailed transmission rebuild manual available or not.
If instead you have the 4-speed electronic transaxle there is no such servo rather an electronically controlled set of solenoid switches and valves. I have no experience getting inside such a unit so that is about all that I can offer. If you would like a copy of the page that shows where it is just give me a postal mailing address.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I'm not sure what you are saying when you say 3-speed automatic 1,2,D or a 4-speed electronic transaxle, so I went out and looked and it read P,R,N,D,3,L. So which one do I have or does this change your answer. Also, maybe you can help. I did bring it to Auto Zone and put it on the computer and it read 1. gear 1 ratio incorrect. and 2. transmission control module out. The guy there told me that that means the transmissons kickdown solenoid needs to be changed. Is he right? And do I still have to pull the transmisson out to change it?
Thank you for your time.
AnswerHi Anna,
It would have been more helpful if you were given the 4-digit code numbers because there is no fault with the title "transmission control module out". So if they will do it again get the specific numbers.
It is the case that you have the 4-speed electronic control transmission so what I responded to you earlier is inapplicable. The gear ratio error is ominous, however. Be sure to check whether you have the correct level of ATF +4 fluid in the transmission to begin with. Then the trans computer can also be checked with a more sophisticated reader to see how frequently that fault occurs and if it were simply intermittent you might well see hot it goes. Also, resolving the issue of the 'module out' code may correct the gear ratio code. So, don't do anything yet other than get the code numbers and check the fluid. If however the gear ratio issue persists and has no other explanation then that means several clutches may be slipping and a rebuild is necessary. So you might start asking around to find an independent/honest shop that will do the diagnosis properly to get down to exactly what is wrong and how to fix it. I can send you the diagnostic procedure that is recommended for doing that which uses tools that an amateur would not have. That way you can go to a shop and show them what Chrysler says to do.
Roland
