Chrysler Repair: automatic gearbox sticks in 3rd gear, voyager 3, chrysler dealer

Question
Hi i have a 1998 grand voyager 3.3 and the auto gearbox seams to stick in 3rd gear now and again. Sometimes when i switch off and start off again its fine but sometimes its not and on the motorway it can get a bit costly in petrol. Any ideas that could cure or help me. Thanks

Answer
Hi Paul,
Probably the transmission is going into limp-in mode which is a self-protective strategy built-in for when it detects a problem which might cause damage. At the same time it sets a four digit fault code in its controller memory.
You are needing to have a diagnostic readout for any fault codes via the under-dash 16-pin plug to see if there are any recognized problems recorded in the memories of the engine/transmission/body controller. These numbers are P followed by four digits. If you find out any of these let me know what they are and we can see what they suggest. If a shop does the readout, ask the number, what the code means, what they say needs to done and how much it will cost? Then let me know and we can compare that to the shop manual. If no codes come up, then you will need to try a readout at a Chrysler dealer with their diagnostic readout box (DRB III).  I wish it were something that could be handled with conventional meters, but I am afraid that even taking advantage of self-diagnostic tests requires a special digital instrument (readout box). You might try turning the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in an elapsed time of 5 seconds or less. Then watch to see if any four digit number appear in the odometer window in place of the km reading. That will sometimes work, depending upon the year and model. Let me know if you get codes.
Roland