QuestionHello, I am having an issue... My car just received a rebuilt engine (1600 miles ago) and the car has 236,000 miles itself. The transmission was rebuilt a year ago and the spark plugs changed and a new alternator installed.... My dash lights will not work even with a new fuse, but I really don't care about that right now.... In the last week I have experienced a weird stalling issue. I was driving down the interstate at about 70 mph and all of a sudden it stalled/stopped..... the MPH went down to about 40 and then it started going again... it almost seemed as if I had slammed on my brakes or pulled the E-brake... then it was fine...IT has happened about 5 times!!! This started about 4 days ago when the car seemed to not shift right and would not go over 30 mph with out the RPMs going over 4,000... That issue stopped after 15 minutes and this issue has started........ Can you please help point me in the right direction....
AnswerHi Amber,
It could either be a engine issue or a transmission issue. There is self-diagnostic capability of both components through their separate computers. However only the engine can be assayed by the owner, a separate plug is used for a code reader to assay the transmission computer as to what might be wrong.
So let's start with what you can do using your ignition key. Turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 second or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light which remains "on" to be begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause. Then repeat to be sure you get the flash count results. Then write back with the results, giving me the counts in the order of appearance. Then we'll go from there. If nothing comes from that approach then a visit to an independent transmission shop (not a national-franchise type of shop) where they have the proper plug and reader to access the transmission computer via the plug at the left hand end of the dash by the fuse box will get you the coded 2-digit numbers that are the fault codes, if any.
Let me know by using the "thank/rate" tab below to get back to me without having to wait for me to be available. There is a section for comments.
Roland
the check engine flashed a 55. took to the chrysler dealer and they did a bumper to bumper check. they said everything was fine. 30 minutes after i picked it up from the dealer it started all over again. it runs high rpms and it does not shift gears. i can go 30mph but any more than that will damage the engine. please help
Hi Amber,
There has to be a fault code stored in the transmission computer from what you describe and because the engine computer showed no faults. I believe that your transmission is dropping into what is called 'limp-in' mode in which it defaults to 2nd gear and refuses to shift. That is designed to reduce the number of parts in use until the cause and repair can be effected.
As I suggested in the earlier answer take it to a transmission shop which verifies to you that it has a "data link connector and OBD-I fault code reader for the Chrysler early 90's transmissions" and will do that fault code readout. That is not the same plug as for the engine computer. Don't go to a nationwide frachise type transmission shop as they are geared to selling rebuilt transmissions rather than repairing existing ones. Get the 2-digit fault code(s), ask what it means, what they would do and for how much?
Then write back and we can compare that to the shop manual I have for that vintage of transmission/computer. Ask them also if they will apply the cost of the readout to a future repair if they authorize them to do it? This way we can get an accurate assessment of what the computer says is wrong and also whether the shop is reliable or not. Did the Chrysler dealer actually do a separate readout of the transmission as I am suggesting? What does your diagnostic work order receipt say they did?
That is my best suggestion.
Roland
PS Thanks for the evaluation and nomination.
