Chrysler Repair: 1995 Chrysler Cirrus LXI Transmission, solenoid pack, 1995 chrysler cirrus

Question
I'm the original owner and the car has been garaged and cared for.  It is a 2.5L automatic v-6. It has 92,000 miles.  It started to leak transmission fluid and my local repair guy "fixed it."  It would not surprise me to learn that they used a generic fluid to refill it (which I learned today is a no-no).  It immediately sounded wrong and I took it back; they said it was fine.  3,000 miles later, it failed to shift.  I took it to a nearby station to check fluid levels and turned it off.  Fluids were fine and it started right up and drove home with no problem.  The local repair guy ran a test on it and it came up with a "code 32."  The print out also has a code 31, but I'm not clear whether that is significant.  They changed the solenoid; it "limped" and the speedometer was erratic, so they changed the computer.  It is still in "limp mode" -- won't get out of 2nd gear and revs high.  I just used your instructions and it gave a 12, 55.  I am reluctant to let them touch it again and not sure what to do next.  Suggestions?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Sue,
First off, the self-read of fault codes done with the ignition key applies only to the engine controller, not the transmission controller. For the latter you have to have a code reader that plugs into a separate body plug rather than to a plug for the engine (or read the check engine light approach). So the relevant info is the 32 and the 31 which are based on a readout of the body plug with a code reader. I would have them run that test again because they changed (or at least did something to the solenoid pack of the trans, according to your account).
The 32 code can occur due to:
internal leak in solenoid pack  check solenoid clutch pack
valve body leakage   check valve body surface for warpage
failed 2/4 clutch     replace 2/4 clutch
warn oil pump         replace oil pump
high fluid level       drain off some fluid
low fluid level        add some fluid

I believe that only the failed clutch possibility requires that the trans be removed and taken apart. So why not ask them to recheck and see if 32 is still present, and if so to look into the other possiblities and corrective actions?

The 31 code has the identical set of possibilites except the clutch in question is the OD clutch. It also could be due to a torque converter clutch failure, so that might be checked out. But the fact that 31 and 32 have overlapping hydraulic possibilities makes me suspect an hydraulic issue which if that were the case can be serviced without rebuilding the trans or removing it. So see if they agree there would be good reason to look into the other possibilities I listed, all of which from the '96 Cirrus shop manual.

You might want to have them not only drain but flush out all the non-Chrysler trans fluid (because draining only removes 1/2 or so of the old fluid from the system). As you learned, non-Chrysler fluid is contrindicated.

Let me know what happens when you move ahead.
Roland