Chrysler Repair: 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport (P0700, P0755), grand caravan sport, dodge grand caravan sport


Question
QUESTION: Hey Roland, How was your holiday? I have a 1999 (NS-body) Dodge Grand Caravan Sport with a A604/41TE with pin connector, 116,000mi. It's in limp-it mode. My question's kinda generic, probably. I know the 700 code's just a generic indicator of a problem in the trans. The 755 code, what I'd like knowing about this "B" shift solenoid, is this solenoid part of a larger shift solenoid pack with a circuit board & multi-pinned connector? If so,are they specific to year, model, VIN other than A604/41TE with a 3.0L motor? Is it mounted externally or internally? If internally, is it located inside the side cover or pan? Once replaced, does the trans EATX control module have to be relearned. Sorry for the barrage of questions. I'd prefer attempting this fix-it on my own. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi RJ,
I had good holidays, thanks.
It appears to focus around one of the solenoid switches in the transmission called the 2/4 solenoid that is used to operate 2nd and 4th gear. This solenoid is in the box on the front side of the transmission, along with several other clutch solenoids, and fortunately it can be serviced without removing the transmission and all the costs that would involve. It could be the solenoid itself or the wiring between the transmission controller and the solenoid that is causing the fault. There is a specific procedure for sorting out what exactly is wrong using the DRB with a Miller test tool. But basically I would check out the wiring of the solenoid circuit and if that passes then replace the solenoid. It is in the box so you don't have to go in from underneath. I can xerox copy the trans wiring diagram from the '98 manual and postal mail it to you if you give me an address. I don't think any re-learning will be necessary. There is a multipin connector to the solenoid box.
Roland

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QUESTION: I appreciate your offer of the schmatics but at this time I'm going to just throw a part at it while checking the pin connector and see what happens. Do you by chance know the resistance value & which pins on the connector handle this 2-4 solenoid? I haven't got a scanner available for my use. I figured if Chryslers are anything like GM there's a prescribed resistance value for this solenoid. I'm aware that temp. change can alter the values. But, if this is a hard falure, I should see it by measuring its value. Thanks, RJ

Answer
Hi Jim,
The solenoid/pressure switch plug has 8-pins. Pin 4 brings 12v from the trans solenoid in the power box under the hood (red wire). The current then flows thru the 4 solenoids,  and the 2-4 solenoid coil exits to pin 8 and from there to the pin 19 of the trans computer (white wire, so you could check the continuity of that wire and also verify that it isn't grounded). You could compare its resistance (between 4 and 8) with the resistance of the other three solenoids (that come out on 5,6,7). I don't have a value for the resistance but I believe if the solenoids are good they would all have the same resistance.
The other three pins of the plug are pressure switches which also are fed 12v by pin 4, and are shown as resistors (when open) on pin 1, 2, and 3. So you can compare those. When a switch in question closes the resistor is grounded and so the trans controller sees a ground signal instead of a voltage. The tran controller wires for the switches are on pins  1,2,3 are connect to 47, 50, and 9 respectively at the trans controller; and the 2-4 pressure switch is the yellow/black from 1 to 47.
Roland