Chrysler Repair: 97 Caravan not shifting, dipstick tube, dodge caravan

Question
Hello - I have a 97 Dodge Caravan. For the last few weeks it has been
making a strange whisteling sound that I haven't been able to pinpoint.
Usually loud when I start it up but then gets quieter as the van warms up.

Today when driving, the sound was loud even after warmed up and the van
stopped shifting properly.

When I put it into drive, I got nothing until I reved it up a bit. When going
down the road, the revs would go way up and then it would shift really hard.

Any help here would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Jim  

Answer
Hi Jim,
Check the fluid level in the trans using its dipstick. If you need to add some, via the dipstick tube, only use ATF +4 and don't overfill it.
Other than that you would do well to get a fault code readout of the controller memories to see if the trans module has detected any specific causes. An Autozone parts store will often do that for free or an independent shop will do it for around $40. Ask for the 4-digit fault codes, what they mean, what they recommend and how much it will cost. Then write back and we can compare what you were told against the shop manuals.
Roland