Chrysler Repair: Transmission problem: relay power/selector indic., chrysler cirrus, electronic control module

Question
I purchased a 95 Chrysler Cirrus. The trans seems to be stuck in 2nd gear. I had a friend of mine use his scan tool to look for codes and came up with a couple. One was lack of power to the relay and another was about the selector. I noticed that in reverse the selector on the dash says D and in drive it shows no selection.I don't want to replace a transmission if it is just an electronic problem. Thank you

Answer
Hi Calvin,
There is a relay for the transmission electronics operation located in the power distribution center under the hood. It is in socket #2 at the front of the box (#1 socket may be empty). The behavior and the code are synonymous with the relay not closing when it should and so the trans behaves that way and sets the code. You might try substituting one of the other relays that has the same part number and is also not crucial to the function of the car at the time to see if that corrects the problem. Otherwise get a new relay and try it out. If it is not the relay then it would very likely be a fairly simple wire open/short between the relay and the powercontroller/transmission controller which could be sorted out by a person with a voltmeter and a wiring diagram. I have the wiring diagram if that is necessary.  I suspect the problem will not involve replacing the transmission, the very worst would be replacing the transmission electronic control module which is mounted inside the engine comparment. Now it is also possible that the selector mismatch is the cause of the problem although the system can tell when there is something of that type which is wrong. Nonetheless it may produce a situation where the relay won't close. So that too should be fixed if the relay alone doesn't end the driving in 2nd gear problem. That selector problem could be due to an open/short in the wiring, a defective switch in the solenoid box of the transmission (again not a "replace" type of problem; this can be handled by opening the box on the side of the transmission and replacing/adjusting the switch), or at worst the transmission controller again could be the problem.
My suggestion would be to find an independent (e.g. a local non-nationwide franchise) transmission shop that knows alot about the Chrysler electronic transaxle and let them figure out the problem, unless you are adept with an electrical test meter. I can share the wiring diagrams by xerox and postal mail if you want to try it yourself. Just send me a postal address via the "thank and rate" tab. It costs me 10 cents per side to copy a page and the postage to mail them but you can repay me after you receive them via unused postage stamps.
So those are some ways to deal with this. Don't let anyone tell you the trans has to be removed and rebuilt because of the presence of these two codes.
Roland