QuestionQUESTION: Hello, again
I've recently been in contact with you about my 1991 lebaron (6 cyl 3.0 automatic 4 speed with over drive) My tranny was hesitating when shifting into each gear and into overdrive. This is the third tranny put in this car, and I know this last tranny was good. I disassembled the tranny computer and cleaned it (dust, dirt etc.) That seemed to help with the hesitation from gear to gear. When I stop suddenly,or sometimes just driving, the tranny thumps and goes into limp mode (2nd gear). When i stop the motor, and restart, it drives again. So, knowing the third tranny is good, i suspected an electronic issue (hence cleaning the tranny computer contacts) Anyway, to make a long story bearable, i took the car to my dealer to have them use their DRB 11 controller to find any or all codes. *note, know codes from the engine computer,key on off method. They said there were know codes and the tranny was in good shape (good news, i guess) He said the possible trouble could be the front suspension system, bad struts, etc. Is this possible? The struts are bad. The only other thing i can think of that may be causing the issue is, I don't think when the tranny was installed, ATF 111 of 1111 tranny fluid was used.It's hard for me to believe that was the case in the previous two tranny's. I really don't know what else to try or to look for, any suggestions or insight to my ongoing episode would be greatly appreciated. As always, thanks for your time.
P.S.
Could this be a vacuum problem?
ANSWER: Hi William,
Are you certain that the dealer read the codes from the plug at the left hand end of the dash near the fuse box? If not then that would explain why no codes. Engine codes are read with a different plug from a socket in the engine compartment; trans codes use a 6-pin plug (layed out 2 x 3) called the data link connector. If the tranks is indeed dropping into second and refusing to drive in any other gear until you turn off the engine, then I would be very surprised if the trans controller didn't have a stored code. So I would check with whoever read the codes to see where the attached the reader socket. A limp-in initiation is synonymous with the recording of a fault code, according to the manuals I have. I doubt it has anything to do with the suspension or drivetrain other than the trans. Be sure that it only has ATF +3 or +4.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hello again,
Skip going back to the same dealer again. ($45.00 lesson) Went to a different auto shop to have codes retrieved. Repair shop owner checked the codes from the engine (there were none) hooked the controller under the dash and low and behold, a code was present. the code was trans code 39, gear ratio error, I think. He left the controller hooked up and we drove around. Murphy's law, the car shifted beautifully, best ever. Even when slowing down fast from a high speed, no thumping was present. On his readout, he said the car was shifting perfectly. Driving to work this morning, I had to restart the car 5 times to get out of limp mode. Going to the auto shop after work, it shifted fine, no incidents. The temperature outside was almost 70 degrees today, could this have an effect? Does the code 39 spell dume? He also put in a tranny additive to the fluid (made to change fluid properties to resemble ATF 3) Don't know if it will work or not, but worth a try. Once again, any insight to the ongoing tranny episode would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for your help.
ANSWER: Hi William,
Checking my '89 manual I do find the 39 code to be used in that year, and thus also in your '91. It is indeed a 'speed ratio error' as you were told, but it is totally unhelpful as to what are the possible reasons or which speed ratios! The only things it excludes are the pressure control valves. All the ones I listed a few minutes ago are possible explanation. The code system evidentally was improved in '92 to differentiate several possible types of speed ratio errors.
So I guess the only simple things to consider are replacing the output sensor or the input sensor, after checking their wires, or put in another transmission controller znd hope for the best. Let me know if something interesting happens, please.
Roland
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QUESTION: Thanks again for the info.
Again, I've had 3 trannys in this vehical with same symptoms, limp mode.
The last tranny that i put in was out of a parts car i bought and ended up driving for a year and a half (no tranny issues.
So its hard to believe all the sensor are the cause, but i wont rule it out.
Really, the only common factors with all three trannys are, the wiring, tranny computer, solinoid on the front of the tranny ( i think its for the 4 speeds with over drive and the car itself)
So my question is, prior to replacing part after part (been there, done that, gets expensive) is there a good way to test the wires going to the sensors? or test the tranny computer? or the solinoid?
Thanks once again for all of your help.
AnswerHi William,
I can xerox 3 pages from the '91 wiring diagrams that show the wires for the electronic transaxle, and postal mail those to you. Just give me an address and I will do it. I doubt it is the solenoid box as that would have set a specific code(s) other than the 39. The computer doesn't have a fault code in this early ETAX model, so about all you could do is try a different controller.
Roland
I assume you have the j-body lebaron 2-door, not the 4-door landau, correct?
