Chrysler Repair: Electronic transmission: speedometer/sensor and range sensor problems, chrysler vans, radio problems

Question
I know your expertise is limited to certain years of Chrysler vans, but I am at my wits end.  I purchased my used 2002 Town & Country last year and had many problems.  First the AC compressor went, then the window reg on driver side went, the radio works on occasion, the airbag light went on, the speedometer doesn't work, I have had the input/output sensors replaced, speed sensor replaces and now the trans. range sensor has fluid in it.  I have only had this car for 1 year.  I have put close to $2000 in repairs (and yes, I have the title to the car).  One mechanic tells me to fix the trans range sensor and that should clear up the problems and the other mechanic (trans guy) tells me to fix the speedometer first.  Any suggestions besides a new car?  :-)

Answer
Hi Teresa,
The a/c., power window, and radio problems are typical and not apparently your present concern. So lets focus on the rest.
I have some question about what driving symptoms are currently  at play? Is it just that the speedometer doesn't work and the gear indicator lights don't show OR is the transmission or engine also not functioning properly? You might be able to get along for a while without the former until things settle down or you can find better mechanics, but the latter obviously need to considered if they are making the driving unsafe, uneconomical, or doing damage.
Then you said "the input/output sensors replaced, speed sensor replaces..." but the output sensor IS the speed sensor so was there a third sensor that you replaced or is this just an error? The output speed sensor on the trans is needed for both trans operational control and for the signal to operate the speedometer. If that sensor was replaced and still the trans doesn't shift properly and the speedo doesn't work then the problem may be in the wire that connects the sensor signal to the trans and to the engine controllers.
The range sensor is a simple switch internal to the trans that can be checked electrically at the multi-pin plug at the trans controller (basically, various pins of that plug should show ground resistance (0 ohms reading) as you change the trans shift lever. On what basis are they saying that it has "fluid in it". Is it on the basis of such resistance readings with an ohmmeter or just that the lights don't work at the cluster or a fault code and what is its impact on the driveability of the van?
Are either of the mechanics working from wiring diagrams specific for you vehicle? Do either have a Chrysler Diagnostic readout box (DRB III) or equivalent and the trans manuals to follow the procedures for getting the fault codes and testing to find out exactly what is the cause of any fault that is validly detected? If not, I would suggest you find a shop that does have the readout box
and find out what are the current fault codes. Then let me know what they are.
The speedo should be working now, if not then it is a problem internal to the speedo unit in the cluster, assuming that there is no current output sensor fault code registering when the trans fault codes are readout. So I would not "fix the speedometer first" unless a code saying the output speed sensor signal is missing shows up when the fault codes are read. And since the necessary sensor for the speedo was already replaced, the DRB readout or a check of the signal wire should divulge the reason for the speedo not working.
Your problems therefore could be minimal or still unresolved but it appears that you aren't getting good diagnostic feedback from the mechanics you have been dealing with. The trans control is complex but not this circuitous that a person with a readout box and a circuit diagram and a trans repair manual should be unable to sort it out quickly.
Roland