QuestionI have a 1995 Chrysler LeBaron That will not shift when the outside temperature gets below 20 degrees F. If I let the car warm up, it will shift? The fluid level is normal. Any suggestions?
AnswerHi Jim,
I suspect that it has to do with the internal hydraulic pressure being too low. It may be due to a partially clogged filter inside the transmission or a wearing out internal pump. There are two things you might try: a readout of the transmission controller memory for fault codes that might be stored and that would give you some direction, and partial or complete replacement of the transmission fluid if your present fluid appears dirty or has a burnt smell, along with replacing the filter.
The readout is accessed by a blue 6-pin plug under the dash near the fuse block. It is probably going to require a Chrysler dealer with a DRB II reader and the data link socket to get the reading. Ask for the code numbers, what they mean, what they recommend to do, and how much it will cost. Then write back and we can compare that with the manual for the transmission.
On the fluid change, if you simply drop the pans and drain you change about half the volume, whereas a power flush will replace it all. Never replace with Dexron; only use ATF +3 or ATF +4 in this transmission.
It will cost around $100 for either of these measures but they are worth a try rather than jumping into "rebuild-mode" which is very costly.
Roland
