Get the same old from all the tranny shops around here. Here is what happened and here are the responses I get from tranny garages.

2000 neon
55000 miles
3 speed auto

I replace filter and fluid. Was given wrong fluid at the auto parts store. They said they will pay for the tranny to be flush.

I put 4 quarts of type F fluid in the tranny. Didn't look at bottles real good before I put in. They are the ones who got my needed parts and fluids. Any way I drove about 28 miles and came to stop light after the fluid change. The tranny would not down shift out of 3rd and slipped up to about 2200 rpms before I backed off the throttle imediately and manually downshifted her down into 2nd. It then shifted into 1st by itself from that gear. I shift back in drive and it ran thru all the gears fine. But again when I stop or slow down it refuses to downshift and revs up. I can shift to neutral and back into drive and it goes right into first gear. So I can get it to shift into 1st by either neutral or dropping into second.

I went and put sea foam into tranny as directed and then drained and put in the type 4 chrysler fluid. When it has sat for a little bit it will shift up and down just fine. It's like when I get above 45 MPH and the tranny warms up after about 5 minutes it sticks in 3rd and wont downshift when slow way down or stop.

Fluid level is fine. Could that type F fluid of messed my tranny up? No burnt clutches I just have to manually shift down into second or neutral then back into drive to get her to shift back into 1st.

Info please on what the cause is and how to maybe remedy it. Like I said,They will pay for the tranny flush. But I am curious why this happens. Actually this is the 2nd dodge 3 speed auto I have seen do this after tranny fluid changed.

The gargaes said that the type F tranny fluid should not make the tranny slip and and downshift into lower gears.

Never had a problem with tranny before filter and fluid change out.

Thanks all, Hope was clear info i wrote.

 

I would of thought for sure someone on this forum would know the answer or a theory to why no downshift after change of fluid.

 

A theory, contrary to popular belief, is more of a provable and truthful answer...than an "answer." Anyways...

My guess would be that having the wrong type of fluid in an automatic Dodge transmission may have done some harm. The fluid you put in mixed with the other several quarts that are in the transmission (that you won't get out unless you remove it). I'd have it flushed, but not by a machine (popular method of backflushing). Have it done proper by removing the transmission line and having the transmission itself pump out the old fluid, and then filling it back up with the proper fluid.

Either the wrong fluid is doing it, or it's some dirt that managed to come loose and clog something up. A transmission shop can test the pressure and see if that is the case.

 

That is what I am thinking also. Other than a reverse flush of system, What is another remedy? I had the same thing happen in a dodge van 3.0. Changed out fluid and had to manual shift for about a week.Then it returned to normal.

 

Your transmission is toast.

Ford Type F fluid is very gritty and is meant to be used in transmissions with asbestos clutches which are a very hard clutch that haven't been used since the mid 80s. The fluid is actually what is called a friction modifier and supplements for the clutches being so hard.

Your transmission has relatively soft clutches which are designed to use ATF +4.

So what happens when you put Type F tranny fluid in a Mopar Transmission is that your clutch packs basically gum up and stick together.

So when you manually shift it locks it into a gear range and that's why the gears still work but when you shift into drive the clutches can't disengage and thus you stay in that gear.

 

It is shifting fine now. Must of just broke some crud loose and was clogging a port.All is good now. I had another dodge do the same thing after a filter and fluid change. I would have to say that if your tranny has over 30k,do not change the fluid. But if you do it more on a reg basis, I think that would prevent problems associated with changing fluid at high milage. As in deposits would not build up as much.

 

I'd still flush it again just to get more of it out.

 

I didn't use the type F for older cars. It was the newer type F fluid.The below fluid was used by mistake.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/secti...tentId=7028170

The thing is also. Is that on a website from the auto care place I bought the fluid has type F as a substitute for the ATF +4 for the neon. And it was for the older ford transmissions. This is recomended for neons also. Valvoline TYPE F ATF also this fluid Valvoline Mercon V Both made for ford and can be used for neons says their website.

 

I will do it again next week. I am not going to have it flushed by dis connect tranny lines. Just seems like it might clog something real good in it. Would it hurt if I put an extra quart in say for about an hour before I do change it ourt again? Just to help dilute the ford fluid a bit more. Then put in reg 4 quarts afterwards.

 

Backflushing it has the highest chance of clogging something. You disconnect the rubber transmission hose that goes from the trans to the cooler, put the trans in gear and the trans will simply pump out the fluid. Then you fill it up. You have no more a chance of clogging something than you do if you drive it. Your call though; just my opinion on it. That's how I flushed mine after I replaced the oil pump...