Chrysler Repair: car seems to be locking up. wont go all the time in reverse and is giving a odor., electronic controller, transmission shop

Question
is it the brakes or transmission

Answer
Hi Andy,
If you have the 4-speed automatic (has an OD choice, along with 1,2,D) then it would sound like you have a situation where the transmission stays in 2nd gear (which is called limp-in mode) because the transmission electronic controller has detected some problem that requires investigation so it goes into this mode to alert you to that fact.
The controller stores information about problems it has detected in the form of codes, fault codes, which a competent transmission shop or Chrysler should have the equipment to readout. This is probably worth having done so that the approach to repair is intelligent. The issue could be the transmission fluid is low, or needs to be changed along with the filter. The next level of cost is to service the internal pump and valve body of the transmission, and the third level is removing the transmission and replacing internal parts which is very costly. But which of these services will solve the issue has to be determined. You could start with the fluid and filter, see if that helps, if not, then do the readout and go from there. Or do the readout first. But I would try to avoid the rebuild because of cost, but the readout may pretty much indicate that a rebuild is needed. But ask for the data that leads to that conclusion.
I doubt that the brakes are the cause.
Roland