Chrysler Repair: 1997 plymouth voyager tranny prob, obd ii code reader, 4 digit numbers

Question
Hi Roland, my van will barely pull out and is very loud but once it is up to 30mph, it is ok. mechanic (who doesnt work on trannys) said it wont go into low gear, that low gears are shot. does this sound right and do you know around how much I will have to spend to fix? I am a single mom on disability and very worried!  Thanks

Answer
Hi Randi,
These electronically controlled transmissions have so many different parts that it is not possible to diagnose what might be the solution based upon simply what it is doing. Rather, you would be well-advised to do a fault code readout via the diagnostic plug that is located under the dash, to the left of the steering wheel. If there is an Autozone parts store near you they will often do that for free. Or your mechanic should be able to do it using an OBD-II code reader that he should have for many other purposes. The fault codes have 4-digit numbers and so if you can get those numbers and write back we can look into the possibilities to see is it could be repaired only by removing and opening up the transmission for a major rebuild (which will otherwise be more than $1,000) or something in the control solenoid box that is repairable by simply opening that box and replacing a part. An independent shop shouldn't charge you more thatn $40 to do the readout and give you the numbers, and we can go from there.
Roland