Chrysler Repair: 94 Lebaron: trans limp-in mode, engine faults, fuse box

Question
When I hit 40mph, the front end shudders. At first, it started happening randomly, now it's all the time. If I ease the gas, it stops. It feels like it doesn't want to shift into third. How do I proceed? I checked for dash codes, but all I get is 55.

Answer
Hi Elise,
I suspect that you are in fact locked in 2nd gear which of course means that the rpm will be quite high when you get to 40 mph or more, and thus the vibration. That 'drives only in 2nd gear' is a self-protective strategy built-in to the transmission so as to minimize damage when it recognizes there is a fault in its operation. The code readout that you did with the key will only tell you about engine faults, not transmission faults.
To find out what fault has caused the 2nd only/limp-in mode of the transmission you need to have a code reader plugged into the blue data link connecter located under the dash next to the fuse box. You will probably have to have that done by an independent garage that has a Snap-on or similar OBD-I code reader. The connector has to match the blue connector's 6 pin layout and the reader must be capable of reading out the transmission controller for any stored fault codes (which are also 2 digit numbers, but different from those you get with the ignition key). A dealer can also do it with a Chrysler DRB-II reader, but probably at a greater cost. Whenever you get the numbers of the fault codes ask what they mean. Then write back and tell me the numbers and we'll compare what you were told with the shop manual that I have for the transmission. Don't agree to anything without first checking it out with me. You also could check that the transfluid level is OK via the dipstick. It only uses ATF+4 type fluid.
Roland
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