Question1993 Chrysler Concorde
Hi, I have had trouble with my transmission shifting erraticly ever since I bought the car used. The first thing I did was have a screen and fluid change using the correct parts and fluid (AFT3). Then I tried to "trick" the computer into resetting itself by disconnecting the battery for about 4 hours. After I reconnected the battery I drove the car shifting thru all the gears. That seemed to work for a while. The only problem I had was that it wouldn't shift out of low sometimes. If it didn't shift I had to pull over and shut the car off. This seemed to reset the computer and it was ok after that till the next time it happened. A few days ago the car refuses to shift out of 2nd into overdrive and also would shift into neutral while driving down the road. So,I bite the bullet and go to a local transmission place. They are members of ASE ( National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence)and ATRA (Automatic Transmission Builders Association).I asked them to scann the transmision and give me the code, what it meant and how much it would cost. They came back with a code 559 or 599 which they said meant an internal failure. It would cost $395 to pull the transmission and then they could tell me what is wrong with it and how much it will cost. If I have the work done the $395 comes off the top of the bill. Any comments? By the way when I got the car it had 38,000 miles on it and now has 61,000 miles. Thanks !
AnswerP.S. If you do get a valid readout and want a confirmation, write me back with the results and we'll check it against the manual.
Hi John,
I don't buy the code readout, at all. In the era, before the OBD-II system (pre-97), the transmission codes were two digit numbers and the readout plug was a simple 6-pin array for the Chrysler line. You can't read it out with an OBD-II reader I would suspect because the plug is different and the codes have three or four digits.
There is no doubt that there are code(s) stored in the trans controller memory because of the regular defaulting to the limp-in mode (2nd gear only).
I think the better way to get a readout would be to find a
Chrysler shop with a DRB II (OBD-I era) reader and the 6-pin bus diagnostic connector plug to attach to the socket under the dash of your car and a cartridge that is appropriate for the '93 model year (verify that they have the necessary gear, look under the dash for the 6-pin socket). Then you will get a valid readout. Let me know if you can't find a shop with that set up as I have such a reader and in a 'no other solution' situation can share it with you.
That is the only way to get a valid readout in order to decide what is needed to fix it. Taking the trans out is probably committing you to a "rebuild" which may be more than is worth it to you (certainly more than the market value of the car after the repair). So what you need to find out really is whether the valve body or some other part that is serviceable without removing the trans from the car is the problem. If not, then you are probably looking at a $1500+ removal and take apart job. But if you pay then $395 to remove it, and then they want $1100+ more, you have fewer options.
Roland
