QuestionHi,
I have a 1993 Chrysler New Yorker Salon v6 3.8 engine. I have several problems and would appreciate any help you can give. One of the fuel injectors is leaking, it is one that is on the far end of the right side of engine. Looks easy to change, can you give me some insight on the complications of changing a fuel injector. Also, don't know if transmission is shot,but I want to try something before I decide what to do. I want to change the sensors(vehicle speed sensors) on the transmission, but don't know where they are located. Could you tell me the location of these sensors, I think I saw two right on the transmission, but went to autozone and was told there are three. I had the same problem with another vehicle, was told that I needed new transmission, but I changed the speed sensor first, now vehicle drives like new. Thanks for any help you can give me.
AnswerHi Michelle,
I am not too familiar with the '93-on New Yorker which has the longitudinal mounted engine and transmission and the 3.8L engine, but let me offer what I can. On the fuel injector change out, I believe from my reading that you will have to remove the entire fuel rail to remove the injector(s). I have a '91 Chrysler shop manual and a '93-7 Haynes manual that describes how to do this task. There are quite a few details to the job and it would be most efficient if I xeroxed the pages and postal mailed them to you as I don't have a document scanner. I would be pleased to do that at my copying cost (5 cents per page) if you would like that. Just respond with a follow-up giving me an address to mail these to, then after they arrive just multiply the number of sides by .05 and add whatever postage I used and send me back cash in an envelope to cover my costs.
On the transmission I believe there are only two speed sensors (the turbine speed and the output shaft speed) and they are mounted on the side of the trans that has the solenoid box and gear shift shaft (one on either side of that shaft). Each has two wires, and Chrysler has consistently used the wire colors: dark blue/black trace and red/black trace for the former, and dark blue/black and light green/white for the latter sensor. So that will identify them for you. I'm a little leary of going by past experience for current troubles in a different vehicle so let me quote from a response I gave to a person who was having difficulties with his electronic controlled transaxle:
"The reasons for the trans problems are several ranging from very simply being low on transmission fluid, to minor adjustment of the gear shift mechanism, to minor maintenance such as changing the transmission fluid filter, to repairs that don't require removing the trans (fluid pump replaced, valve body cleaned), to serious internal damage requiring a removal and disasembly (could cost $1,500). These transmissions are sophisticated electronically controlled units that need to be maintained to avoid unnecessary maintenance costs. I would begin by checking the dipstick after warming up the van and driving it a bit, then put the trans in Park with the engine idling and see if the level is in the cross-hatched zone for "hot" fluid. If you need to add, get the fluid from a Chrysler dealer as the units are finicky about what fluid they work with. If that looks normal you might then do well to go to a dealer or an independent trans shop (but not a franchise type) with a good reputation to discuss changing the fluid filter and checking for any debris in the drain pans (which is a bad sign of internal damage) and checking the adjustment of the shift lever.
An alternative is to have the trans's electronic controller read out for any fault codes it may have stored after recognizing a malfunction in the unit, particularly if it has gone into 'limp-in mode' where it only will operate in 2nd gear and reverse. That is a simple task (but ask how much they charge before authorizing it, and verify that the shop has a unit for reading the trans codes as all shops may not be so-equipped) done with a diagnostic readout box; and the codes, if any, are clues as to why you have this problem. If you do that, ask for the code numbers, and for a diagnosis and estimate of repair costs. (The trans controller cannot be read out with the ignition key the way the engine controller can be. And the readout box has to have an adapter for the body plug which is different from the engine plug.) I have a manual that we can check this code information against to verify that the repair proposal is appropriate.
Take it step-by-step and don't panic.
Roland
