I have a 97 ES with the 2.5l v6 and automatic transmission. However, i do not have 4th gear. it shifts smooth 1st-3rd but then stays in 3rd gear. when im going 65mph its at like 4,000 rpm. also, the o/d switch doesnt do anything. when pressed in it still only goes to 3rd gear, and when its not pushed, it DOESNT light up the o/d off light on the dash. in either position, it stays in 3rd gear. i took it to the shop to have the transmission codes scaned and there were no codes. i asked if changing the fluid and filter would fix this but he said its a shot in the dark, and i risk messing up the transmission more by changing the fluid. is this true? he also said ONLY use MOPAR atf+4 not any other brand (castrol, advance auto parts, etc.) atf+4. is this also true? thanks for any advice

 

Check your reverse lights , no lights check fuse ... the O/D is tied into the reverse fuse

You also can check the red wire on the O/D switch for 12 volts

 

opened up the shifter... and all of the wires came off their solders. what order do they go in? from left to right, farthest to closest to the button? thanks again

 

I removed mine 12 years ago ...
connect the red to the black and you get te O/d back , the yellow is the dash light

you'll have to get out an ohmeter and figure it out

 

ok i did that and it is going into 4th now. but its a pretty hard shift. thats prolli normal after not being used for a year. anyways, i put the handle back on and now brake-shift interlock wont work. i can just pull it from park to reverse. also, i cannot remove the key. what did i mess up? thanks again bad venge for all the help

 

i figured it out...i tightened the inner shift **** screw too much. i just put the black and red wires together with a wire nut temporarly. im going to get another **** from the junkyard with the wires already soldered onto the o/d button and just connect the wires together with some nuts. i didnt know fixing my o/d / 4th gear would be so easy. thanks for all the advice bad venge

 

No problem ... I'm full of worthless avenger knowledge