QuestionQUESTION: Hello, I have a 2001 Chrrysler Town and Country Limited, 3.8L v6 AWD w/85,000 miles on it.
I was driving on the interstate at about 60mph and heard a loud bang sound, the vehicle seemed to lose power a bit but it kept going. I moved into the right lane but proceeded to drive. I drove an additional 15 miles or so to my destination and once reaching the parking lot the van just "went out of gear" I put it in park, turned it off then turned back on put in drive and it clunked and lurched forward, enough to park in a space.
We had the van towed home and our initial research about the problem seemed that it was shift solenoid pack. We bought one and my husband changed it. no luck. other possible suspects were the speed sensors, husband changed those. no go. My husband also removed the drain pan to check for metal and there wasn't any metal in the pan nor was the fluid burned smelling or discolored.
We removed the ATX relay plug and it will drive in 2nd gear, but that's it. no reverse or any other upshift. The only code we get with the "key dance" is P0700.
We REALLY can't afford a new transmission right now and it really seems that it's not internal tranny problem but who knows? Any suggestions?
ANSWER: Hi Lisa,
The 'only in 2nd gear' is the result of removing the relay. That is also what happens when the trans computer puts it into 'limp-in mode', it cuts off the relay. It minimizes futher damage.
But it should also go in reverse in that situation. So that suggests that one of the clutches or related parts needed for reverse is not working.
The 0700 odometer window readout means there is another fault code stored in the trans controller memory. If you can borrow a plug-in fault code reader and put it into the socket next to the steering column then we would know what part/circuit has failed. It might be worth buying one, but be sure it is capable of reading the trans fault codes as well as engine codes.
That would be the most helpful next step to diagnosing the problem. Let me know what 4-digit codes you get and we can go from there.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
I am sorry to hit you again so soon but i failed to relay the other trouble code, my husband got two codes from Advanced Auto, p1782 and p1768.
We assume the p1768 is from having the relay disconnected. Could this problem be from a bad relay? Thanks again.
Lisa
AnswerNo, because he removed the relay it generated the 1768 code in all likelihood. If you want to prove that just disconnect the battery, reconnect it and with the relay in place go get another code readout. If there is no 1768 that shows the relay is OK. However disconnecting the battery does generate a 1684 code which should be ignored. The fact the the transmission ran differently with vs without the relay shows to me that the relay is working.
