QuestionQUESTION: hi,after reading some of these postings and answers,you sure know your stuff. in any case, i own a 1997 2.0 mitsubishi eclipse gs model with a chrysler trans from what i gather. i don't drive it much now ,but i bought this brand new in '97 . i have taken care of it but not lately . on a very hot day 3 weeks ago, my auto trans dropped down to like 1st or 2nd gear and the speedometer was dropping to zero and erratically up again. it stayed in 1st or 2nd gear till i got home 5 blocks away. i changed the trans filter and fluid and unplugged the ground to hopefully fix the problem . but after driving it in hot weather for a few miles it did it again. i checked the codes and it came up 12 45 55. i did it 4 times to make sure but there is no 45 in the codes i got online. don't want to get ripped off. please help.thanks....rick!
ANSWER: Hi Rick,
While I have no Mitsubishi manuals to consult nor experience with these models, I did find that a 45 code as shown in the Haynes Chrysler van manual of '95-9 indicates that a trouble code related to input data to the transmission controller has been detected. My suspicion, based upon your excellent observations and history, particularly the speedometer fluctuation, is that the output speed sensor on the transmission has failed. If it is a Chrysler electronic trans similar to the domestic versions, then you will find on the side of the trans that faces the front of the car, at about mid-level, two similary shaped sensors one to the left of the shift rod and one to the right (near the end of the trans). The one to the right drives the speedometer and the shifting controller (electronically) so if it fails your speedo goes and the trans shifts into limp mode (drives in second only). So I think it would be worth getting a new one and, lifting the tab to carefully remove the plug on the old one, substitute it. It should be torqued to about 20 foot-lbs. You could get a free code readout at an Autozone parts store to verify via the 4-digit OBD-II code which will come from an under-dash plug readout. Please let me know if this doesn't work.
Roland
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QUESTION: hi roland, thanks for that. i think i'm going to try this myself but i wanted to ask you where the sensor's located exactly. looking from the front of the car it's on the right end of the trans towards the wheel(driver's side) and is it on top or do i lift the car up and it's underneath. if you know that'll be great ,if not,i'll probably find it. and one other question. after i've changed the sensor,do i unplug the ground cable to the battery to reset it before driving it again? thanks for all.........rick!
ANSWER: Hi Rick,
On the Chrysler trans almost everything is on the front (e.g. the side which faces the front of the car) not the top or the bottom so you shouldn't have to jack up the car unless there is other stuff that is blocking your view/access as you stand/knell at the bumper. The input and output sensors are on the same level, so that is another clue as they are similar in appearance. You would want to change the one "towards the wheel (driver's side)"
as you described it. To erase the code in the memory you could lift the ground cable at the battery or if you through the normal course of driving turn the ignition switch on-off 50 or so times that will also erase the code, presuming that the fault has been corrected, of course.
But by lifting the cable you erase it now, and then you can see if it comes back or not. This will cancel your radio presets/clock settings.
Roland
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QUESTION: hey roland, a follow up to my sensor problem. i finally got the part from mitsubishi yesterday and put it in place today and i'm still having the same problem. could it be the wire connected to it or something else?i heard a clicking noise that would re-occur every 5 seconds or so in the engine compartment. i didn't notice that before.t might of been there before though. is that the speedometer or?anyway, anything you could help me with i'd appreciate. if not, i understand,i'll just take it to mitsubishi and get wacked. haha...thanks for everything........rick!
AnswerHi Rick,
Did you try erasing the codes and do you still have the 45? On the wiring, the Chrysler color codes are dark blue/black is the ground for the sensor, while the light green/violet is the signal itself and they go to pins 13 and 14 of the transmission controller plug. If you can see any wire colors at the plug you could check for continuity between the sensor plug and trans controller plug.
It certainly smacks of a no output speed sensor signal situation so that is about the only other possibility after you have replaced the sensor proper. Did you torque it in to about 18 foot-pounds (about the same as a spark plug, but don't overdue it)?
Maybe lift the front end and put it on jack stands and run it up to road speed, and see if you can then find out what is clicking.
Roland
