Chrysler Repair: 95 Concorde: Transmission up-shifting is erratic, chrysler transmissions, franchise type


Question
95 Concorde shifting problem. After it warms up, it will try to shift into over drive to soon and starts to shutter. I checked the fluid level and that was fine. Nice and pink with no smell.  

Answer
Hi Steve,
The chances are there is some internal mechanical wear/damage to the internal clutches of the transmission, but because the cost of rebuilding is so high it is worth spending a little on analyzing whether that is true or not. It may also be the case that the problem is with electrical connections/computer or with the transmission fluid system (hydraulic) and those can be repaired without removing or rebuilding the transmission at much less cost.
The transmission has an electronic controller that has the ability to recognize malfunctions and store them in its memory as two-digit fault codes. You need a readout of the transmission computer which is an electronic test for the presence of coded numbers representing different faults that the transmission is experiencing at the time when it tries to shift.  An electronic readout device is plugged into a port under the dash to access the memory and tell you the fault code numbers. It would be worth spending about $50 to have this done just in case the problem had to do with the hydraulic or electronic parts rather than the internal mechanical parts because those could be repaired without taking the trans out of the car and dismantling it. So a dealer or a competent independent transmission shop (but NOT a franchise type like Aamco  where the usual answer will be to do a "rebuild") with a reader for Chrysler transmissions should be able to do that. Ask for the code number(s), what they mean, what repair is needed and how much it will cost. Be sure that they have the ("bus diagnostic connector") reader plug adapter that will give them access to the memory via the port under the dash. Their reader also has to be equipped with a program (cartridge) that accesses the transmission computer. A Chrysler dealer will have this device called a DRB II, but will charge more for the readout. You might get an agreement to credit the cost of the readout to a repair, if you agree to let them do it.
Then write back and we'll evaluate what you were told, particularly what are the fault code numbers. I have the '94 and '95 factory repair manuals and can look up what the numbers mean and what needs to be done to fix this.
Roland