Chrysler Repair: Code P 1776 2002 Intrepid, solenoid pack, transmission control module

Question
"Transmission went into limp mode, and wouldn't shift out of low gear.. Showed code P-0700 which is transmission general code. When you turn the key off and back on, you can drive it again for a while.

My brother was nearby, so he came over. He initially said it was probably the output sensor on the Tranny. He then hooked up his scanner, and he said it gave the code 1776...something about solenoid stuck in low and reverse position.

How do you fix this issue?  A friend said try changing the tranny fluid, but it looks nice and red, and dirt free?  Do I need to change the solenoid pack, or is there another way around this.  Could it be the electrical supply to the solenoid? I hear it is located in the valve body, and that sounds pretty expensive to me!

Thank you

Steve


Answer
Hi Steve,
The possibilities are:
the low/reverse pressure switch itself is bad
the transmission control relay output circuit is open
the control circuit (sense) of the l/r switch is open, shorted to ground or shorted to voltage.
The control relay's output is on pin #6 of the 8-pin plug of the transmission (red wire); you could verify that the wire has 12V on it when you are idling (and I guess I would put it in gear with the brakes applied). Also examine/shake the wire for intermittent connection possibility.
The solenoid sense circuit connects pin # 8 (light blue) to pin #50 of the transmission control module. You could check that connection and monitor it for voltage to fluctuate between 0V and some measureable V when the trans is shifting normally, and to loose that fluctuation when it is not, which would verify the circuit is OK.
If that proved to be OK, then I would suspect the switch isn't responding and needs to be changed.
The solenoid box is removeable after you drop the pan and remove the valve body, and so it would not seem to be an horrendous expense (compared to a rebuild). I haven't done this myself so I can't comment on doing-it-yourself.
I would try to find a competent independent shop that know the Chrysler trans and discuss it with them as to the cost of replacing the l/r pressure switch as the alternative.
Roland