QuestionQUESTION: Hello Kevin, I'd like to ask something about the trans oil type. Is it so crucial for my 99 Plymouth Voyager 3.3L to have type 7176 in its tranny? Last month I must have made 2 errors if so. I had warmed the engine and had traveled a small distance before I checked it. The level indicated it was just below the middle of that tic-tac-toe graph mark. So I added 3/4 of a type of fluid that I don't normally use which indicated Ok for use in Chrysler trans, of which I also had no other choice. (That was mistake #2). About an hour down the road, the tranny seem not to shift from a low gear (limp mode of course now I know). I stopped and checked the oil level, only now it seemed way high and Hot! I think (mistake #1) was not checking the oil level when it was real hot.
Anyhow, check engine light is on, AutoZone checked for a trouble code, came up with P0700. Probable causes: 1- shorted or open circuit within tranaxle, 2- failure of transaxle control module. Bonus question would be, how could I personally test the module for the failure? Circuits within the tranny are out of my reach. Back in 1987 I used to work for National Car Rental as a mechanic. I've R/R trannys, engines, heads, timing chins/belts etc.. but this is new technology I have not covered.
Oh, I added oil because I found oil leaking our of the driver side inner cvjoint. I r/r the seal and cv joint. Tried sucking up some oil through the filler tube with a little pump, disconnected neg bat ter, seemed ok for 3 blocks, then check light came on and stayed on 2nd shift. This van has 150K I am the 2nd owner and was running awesomely when I bought it last yr. Tranny seems as if it may have been rebuilt, judging from all the black silicone I noticed on most of the sealing points. Any info can help, Thanks.
ANSWER: if u use anything but ATF+4 u will burn up clutches and so on.
the p700 code just says u need a better scanner to get into the tranny computer and see what those codes are.
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QUESTION: Hello Kevin,
This is not a follow-up question, just wanted to let you know how it went. By the way, I appreciate your insight. but after doing some extensive research, I got to the bottom of the code.
I did change the fluid & filter. Used type ATF+4, as I read about it, Vs the others. But that didn't fix the limp-mode issue. I took in to a tranny place I've done businss with and trust, for a scan. Other codes were found & translated. It turns out the solonoid pack needed replacing.
The tech who worked on it said, that this problem was typical of these transmissions. So, $250.00 later, I was gone like the wind. As a matter of fact, as I was driving in, another Voyager had pulled out. Its solonoid pack had been replaced as well, taking it out of limp-mode.
The solonoid I got was a new updated version. That adapter plate (which had the black cover)was no longer needed. So that plastic-gear grinding like noise it made when you came to a stop(Brrrr..which was a shifting noise)is heard no longer. What puzzles me is, how come You didn't explain this possibility in your answer? Nonetheless, your attempt to help was appreciated. Thank you.
JP
AnswerI can tell u all day long what could be a possible answer. With out a code and there are 400 different ones in a tranny computer how am i suppose to know what wrong? I can guess as good as any one but with out the correct intel at hand or the simple fact or me looking at it I am not in the game of guessing what could be wrong I would rather give u the info that would lead or fix your issue not throw parts at it.
And u yourself as a former mechanic can u tell me whats wrong with a tranny by some one tell u it has a code in it and what do i need to do to fix it with out more information to give? Plus look at what I am doing I am typing on a computer and U have no idea how many people I get questions from a day on simple to complex things and some all kinda funny ones like
I have a noise when I drive what can it be hehe U tell me.
But glad u got it taken care of oo and BTW the buzzing sound u heard is normal any way all Chrysler 41TE trannys do that.
