Chrysler Repair: 95-Chrysler LHS trans problems when hot, chrysler lhs, coolant temp

Question
1995 LHS starts, run,shifts smooth all normal. Engine temperature comes up to normal and all continues to function normally. When car sits with engine off raising e temp. of engine and is started tranmission does not shift until 3500rpm all gears and rought downshifts. When left for period of time to lower coolant temp. all runs smooth.

Answer
Hi Ray,
I think you have a pretty good analysis of the situation. It appears that the trans is overheating at shutdown. It suggests that the heat is not being dissipated due to either too low trans fluid (so check that and add Chrysler brand fluid if needed, but don't overfill),or a partially blocked air pathway thru the condenser located in tandem with the radiator for the engine coolant (shine a light thru from the engine side and see if the fins are blocked with leaves/mud), the fluid pump in the trans may be not pumping to a sufficient pressure or volume, or the filter could be clogged. I would advise checking out those possibilities and having a reputable local non-franchise transmission shop or Chrysler dealer have a look at those issues that you can't check out yourself. I don't believe that you are into a serious problem yet, but it would be in your interest to get to the bottom of this now before some damage is done. The rebuild cost of these transmissions is so high as to often exceed the value of the vehicle. You could also have the transmission control module read out for fault codes that may be helpful in diagnosis. But only do this at a shop that you can get a good history/referral on because an incompetent shop is worse than not going to a shop with these complex electronic controlled transmissions. They are very finicky about the brand of trans fluid so you might want to buy it a Chrysler dealer and also have any maintenance (fluid change/filter) done at a dealer. Let me know if you get any diagnoses or fault codes, what the number(s) are, what they mean, what might be the service/repair, and the costs. We can check that against what the Chrysler shop manual says about such a code(s).
Take you time to get it in the hands of a competent shop, and don't buy into a major repair without getting a second opinion.
Roland