Chrysler Repair: T&C codes 1684 and 0700, check fuse, fuse box

Question
Hi:

I have a 2002 T&C that has been running fine until recently.  The ABS light came on and then the engine light came on (steady, not blinking).  The van will not pick up any power now...you can only go about 20 mph.  The two codes that are coming up are 1684 and 0700.  Any idea what is going on  here.

Answer
Hi Terri,
The 0700 means that a transmission fault code has been detected and stored in the transmission controller module. So it is merely informational.
The 1684 is a transmission fault code: it means that the power to the transmission controller was lost either due to an electrical failure in the supply voltage or a loss of the ground return path for current to the -post of the battery. I would start by check fuse 15 in the power distribution center box that is under the hood near the battery. Then check fuses 2, 10 and 12 in the fuse box underneath the dash on the driver's side. Any of those fuses could, if blown cause the transmission to refuse to shift and to always run only in 2nd gear (that is called limp in mode), and fuse 12 also supplies power to the ABS system so that might explain the ABS light. Look carefully at each fuse, removed from its clips, to observe not only for a frank blowout, but also for a subtle crack which would be the same as a blowout, but less obvious. If you have an ohmmeter you could chect that the fuse is good just to be sure.
Let me know what you find and if any are blown you could either try replacing them or measuring the resistance to ground from the "cold" side of the fuse socket of any fuse that is blown. If it reads around 1 ohm or less that would mean that replacing the fuse will not solve the problem but rather that there is some component that is on that circuit that is going to draw too much current and blow a replacement fuse again.
I would expect that the engine will run OK, but the gear ratio will be very high because the trans is locked in 2nd. Tell me if you believe that is not the behavior and that you really believe there is no power from the engine.

I will await your response.
Roland