QuestionRoland,
Ok here is todays update.
DC 5 star dealer said that they pulled the codes and the only codes were for the TPS. They replaced the TPS. They also said that the computer needed a flash update and did that. Total cost $470 approx.
They performed the repairs, took the car for a drive and it went into limp, NO CODES REPORTED.
So they say the problem must be that the tranny shop botched the rebuild. They want $3300+ to replace the tranny. Keep in mind the car cost $3800...
I called the tranny shop and they stood behind their rebuild. The told me that Myself or A Dodges technician can come down and watch them pull and disassemble the tranny to make sure that nothing is wrong.
I spoke to the DC dealer and they are having thier trans tech call the tranny shop tomorrow.
As far as the ODB II. Its my understanding this is a crossover year 95 stratus has the ODB II connector but evidently uses ODB I protocol?
The AC lead was a no go with the AC off and AC relay pulled for good measure it still limped.
AnswerHi Richard,
Thanks for the clarification. There is a possible explanation that I have identified:
Because of the crossover year model that you have where the two different memories are readout from the same plug, and therefore the diagnostic reader has to be used with some care to be sure which memory (in the OBD-I system) it is reading. I note too that the numerical range of the OBD-I fault codes for the two controllers are exactly overlapping (11-77 for the engine, 21-73 for transmission). Suppose they read a #24 thinking it was from the engine memory when it really was a #24 from the trans memory? The former means a TPS problem which DC addressed (for $470 total) when the real problem is a "Low/Reverse clutch pressure too low" in the transmission, also a code #24! My '96 cirrus manual shows there to be about 14 possible reasons for that code if it comes from the trans controller.
In light of the fact that the trans sets a code and goes into limp at the same time, and doesn't limp without the trans recognizing a coded fault, makes me believe that is what is going on here. I don't know what code readers and skills the DC and tranny shops are bringing to the readout task. Maybe you need to go to a third shop to find out if this theory has traction. If I'm correct you should get some money back from the DC 5 star, and you should get the residual limp issue corrected with the rebuild for free from the tranny shop. The tranny shop should be able to read the L/R clutch pressure to determine whether it is or isn't low, so that would be another way to test my theory. And if so, they should fix it, and DC should give you back the money you spent on a TPS.
Keep saying: "If the tranny limps, it has to have seen a fault" until they both give in. Or small claims court may be your best recourse.
Roland
