QuestionRoland,
Some time ago my car's check engine light came on and I went to the mechanic the next day.
We ran the diagnostic and the code was the same as in the owner's manual: leakage in the emission system.
The mechanic asked me if I felt anything 'different' in the car and I said no. He suggested deleting the code and if it came back then taking the car back to the mechanic. He said some time the sensors are hit and the light goes on.
Last night the light came back on and now the car doesn't move when I put it on drive. I have to give it some time before it starts moving and the transmission is not changing as it is supposed to. It was real smooth yesterday and without any signal it turns into a nightmare.
I'm going for a diagnostic tomorrow...an suggestions?
Thanks,
CRamia
AnswerHi CRamia,
Another van owner with a similar experience asked the same question yesterday. I will paste in his response in a moment. On the history of the problem it is worth knowing that there are separate control computers for the engine and the transmission, and a problem with either will turn on the check engine light. But this time you need to readout the fault codes on the transmission (rather than the engine which is what happened last time) with a reader that is capable of looking at the trans computer, and many shops may not have that capability. So for that reason if the mechanic who has read the code earlier can't be sure his reader will do that then you need to go a Chrysler dealer or a competent trans shop that has the reader to get the code out of the trans memory. Also, I would suggest that you let the engine warm up and then check that the trans fluid level is in the acceptable area as shown on the trans dipstick which in on the side of powertrain that faces the front of the car and to the left of center. If you are low on fluid get Chrysler brand fluid from a dealer and add it a little at a time unitl you get the level into the safe zone, via the dipstick tube.
See if that solves the problem. If not, then get the new code readout:
"Checking the fluid level is appropriate and now we can consider other possiblilities. Another approach you might try is to let the engine warm up for a while, then put the trans in Drive and see if it might move as the result of warming up the trans fluid in the process.
It is possible that you have a problem that is hydraulic which can be serviced without removing the transmission from the van, such as clogged filter or a defective fluid pump. So that presents two possibilities, prehaps in this order, at a Chrysler dealer (unless you know of a very honest and competent independent shop as an alternative, but not a franchise sort of place):
1. Do a partial drain and filter replacement servicing, again at a Chrysler dealer so that you know an approved fluid will be used. (Ask the manager to inspect for 'debris' in the pans when they are removed to drain the fluid, which if present is a sign that mechanical damage has been going on and which would not be a good sign, and I would then have them skip to step 2., below). This drain and filter change might correct the symptoms but there is no guarantee that it will help. If it does, then that is the solution. If not,
2. Get a readout of any fault codes that may be stored in the electronic transmission control unit's memory. The electronic trans has a controller with an ability to self-recognize problems, give them a code number, and store them in the memory for later readout. This should always be the first thing that is done rather than to accept a costly verdict of 'remove and rebuild'.
The dealer or a competent transmission shop should have a readout unit to find out what the code number(s) is and from that they can make some conclusions about whether the trans can be repaired without being removed from the car (for example an electrical or hydraulic pressure problem) OR if some mechanical damage is involved (but follow-up a "mechanical damage" diagnosis by dropping the oil pans and looking for debris to be present or not) which if present would require a pretty expensive rebuild, I am sorry to say. No debris in the pans would suggest the possibility of an hydraulic problem only.
The readout device has to have the 16 pin data bus connector and have a program cartridge capable of reading the codes for the Chrysler trans of '98. If not, then a dealer would have the unit necessary to do it. Write me back a follow up question once you get the code(s) number and we'll compare the proposed 'therapy' with that suggested in the Chrysler shop manual. The readout might cost $50 or less and even be applicable against the repair bill if you ask that question when you order the readout." But don't panic into a rebuild which may be unnecessary
Roland
