Chrysler Repair: 94 Transmission: delayed shifting into drive from neutral, salvage yard, mopar vehicles

Question
Well Roland,
The transmission problem all became a moot point on the way home from work today as the transmission shifted into limp-in mode. After I shut the car down upon arriving at my destination I went through the same problem of not being able to go into gear which usually only happened first thing in the morning when it was cold. Anyway when the transmission went into gear it bucked a couple of times and proceeded to hand grenaded. I don't know what let go but now when I put it into drive it sounds like an old 6 cylinder with solid lifters that are out of adjustment and will not pull itself. So tomorrow it's going to the junkyard where it can spread it's curse to all the other Mopar vehicles which might be able to use any of it's parts. Thanks for trying to help me out but there's not much hope left for this one. Now where did I put my bicycle? Again thanks for your help I guess it was a lost cause to begin with.
Tracy
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi,
I've gotten some good info from you guys in the past and once again I've run into another problem with my LHS which should be called SLH for Satan Lives Here but anyway. I had the transmission swapped out with a salvage yard transmission a while back due to a mechanical failure when shifting into second gear up until now it's been working fine. Since the weather has turned off cold below 40 degrees around here. In the mornings when I first start the car up and put it in gear I can back out of my drive way but when I shift it into drive the transmission will not engage. It's as if I shifted into neutral. i can rev up the engine and it will engage once the rpms wind down but the colder it is outside the long it takes for it to finally engage. Once I take it out of gear shifting to drive it doesn't matter if I shift it back to reverse or any other gear it will not engage until after I've revved the engine up a little bit. I believe it is an A606 transmission and was built in 1997 and installed in an Intrepid originally. if it turns out to be a sensor of some type is there anywhere i can get a diagram of the location so I can change them myself because I have spent a considerable amount of money in labor over the past 8 months on this car.
Thanks,
Tracy
-----Answer-----
Hi Tracy,
The low-cost causes for delayed shifting into drive are low engine rpm, low internal trans fluid pressure, low fluid level in the trans, clogged filter, faulty fluid pump or valve body leakage. Other than those, it means internal repairs that you know are costly. But if it were a trans senser, those are all external so that is no trouble to locate. But you need to find out whether that is true and if so which one.
You could have a transmission code readout performed via the data link connector that is under the dash to the right of the steering column, probably at a dealer because it uses the DRB II and the data link plug (blue, 6 pins, three on a side). If they get some fault numbers, ask for them and the names, what it implies, and what is the estimated cost. Then write back and we'll compare to my '94 LHS manual. Or you could have the trans internal pressures measured via ports on the trans to check for that possibility. Was the filter changed when you installed the used trans?
Engine idle rpm usually is supposed to be around 800, and the cold weather may have dropped that down.
Let me know what you learn, please.
Roland


Answer
Hi Tracy,
Well, thanks for the regress report. With the tendency of the electronic transaxles to fail at 150,000 miles or so,  a replacement from a used vehicle at a wrecking yard has a good chance of not solving the problem. So with the cost of rebuilding so high, it is understandable that your 12 year old vehicle is just not going to be worth it unless there is some other redeeming value.
As to the bicycle, welcome to the road! I have been using my bike for all the short trips for groceries, etc. within about 6 miles of home. That way I hope to keep my '89 LeBaron going longer and burn less fossil fuel, and keep the weight under control. Fortunately it a 2.5L 4 cyl with a 3-speed conventional automatic that is time-tested. I would hesitate to get a used Chrysler product with the electronic transaxle, and even think long and hard about a new vehicle with that option.
Roland