Chrysler Repair: 2002 t&c transmission, power steering pump, chrysler brand

Question
Mr. F.,
   My 02 T&C has 97K.  It has had two rebuilt transmissions put in it and now needs a third.  Along with the transmission problem everytime, there is a problem with the power steering pump.  The power steering starts out roaring in the morning and quiets down as the van warms up.  Soon after the power steering starts to go, the t'mission begins to slip going from 1st to 2nd gear.  Is it my imagination or is there a connection?  Also, the check engine light comes on soon after replacing the t'mission but the code points to hte gas cap (which we have replaced).  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Ken,
I haven't owned a Chrysler with the electronic transaxle so I can't speak from experience. I know that on average they seem to require service/rebuild sooner than the older less-sophisticated automatic I have in my '89 LeBaron. They do require the use of Mopar 7176 fluid or equivalent but I would try to use the Chrysler brand for adding or refilling it. And service/rebuild needs to be done by a shop that really knows the unit and is honest and has good diagnostic skills. Have you had to pay for all three rebuilds or were they done under warranty? There are a lot of good service manuals put out by Chrysler but the shops have to keep up-to-date to give optimum service on them. There should be a fault code stored in the transcontroller memory as to what it believes is causing the slippage or at least the possible causes. It could be for example a problem with the valve body or solenoids that doesn't require removing and rebuilding the trans. And a competent code read and reading of the service manuals would tell a mechanic those possibilities.
The power steering pump should be unrelated to the trans slipping, entire separate units as far as I know. It it quiets down as it warms I wouldn't be concerned about it.
On the check engine light, as far as I have found in looking up possible codes, there is no specific code for the gas cap. Rather it might be a code that says there is a slight leak in the evap control system, which of course includes the gas cap, but the controller can't specifically tell if it is the gas cap. So it sounds like that was a mechanic's interpretation of a code which may or may not be correct. There are alot of hoses that connect the fuel tank to the carbon collection canister and a leak detection pump and a  solenoid, etc, in the system, any of which could be the source of the leak. So if you are still getting such a light and code, there is more to investigate than the cap.
Roland