Chrysler Repair: Tranny problem: pop sound, then no movement, franchise type, chrysler brand

Question
I was driving up a hill yesterday and with no warning I heard a po(like it slipped out of gear) and I started to roll backwards (down the hill of course) my van will go in Park but it when I put it in gear it sounds like it is constantly in neutral.  I have a 1996 Dodge Grande Caravan 3.3.  PLEASE HELP! We are supposed to be moving in 3 days.

Answer
Hi Tammy ,

There are two broad possibilities:

1.) The transmission itself could have failed which requires an inspection at a transmission shop for what is the reason. (One thing you could do now is to check the transmission dipstick just to make sure that the cause of the no movement is a lack of fluid. But only add Chrysler brand fluid through the dipstick tube if you need it and don't overfill it. I suspect that is NOT the reason for a "pop" sound, however.)

2.)One of the two drive shafts that connect the transmission to the front wheels has failed. That is a much better reason, if true, because it is much quicker and less costly repair. You might be able to notice this yourself by looking underneath the van to observe the two ends of each shaft and notice whether there is any sign of rotation of either shaft or of the attaching flange at the transmission of one of the shafts that might be rotating, when you put the transmission in gear with the engine idling. The way the trans is designed, if one of the shafts is decoupled it will allow the flange to rotate freely and the other side's flange will not rotate at all (the motive power of the trans is automatically applied to the broken connection entirely so the van will thus not move). Such a break could produce a "pop".

My suggestion would be to identify a local independent (NOT a nationwide franchise type of shop) transmission shop and have the van towed there. Ask them to examine the situation for those two possibilities. I hope it would be a drive shaft rather than the transmission both because of the cost and because of your time schedule.

Roland