Hi guys!!! I just picked up a 97 ES with an automatic tranny that will engage when it is cold- but once the car is running for a minute- NOTHING. Other then that there is a battery light on which is probably the alternator or battery- no biggy. My concern is the tranny...The Fluid Is Black-- so I know it needs to be replaced. I Know That These Trannys Require Special Mopar Fluid Since they have problems that Chrysler knows about. Have any of you had any kinds of problems that simple fluid change fixed? I was going to try to use lucas oil tranny fluid also. How many quarts does this tranny use?

 

BUMP.............................................. ..................

ANYONE? So noone on this forum has read up on or has any mechanical knowledge of the auto transmission in the avenger? I hope one of you guys could give me a hint. I also had read that it doesnt use actual bands and that it is mostly electronically controlled? I was thinking that on top of the fluid change it may be smart to have someone check out the ecu for the tranny- What does a rebuild kit and a Factory Service Manual run for this car?

Has anyone on this site fabricated a turbo manifold for the 2.5L? I have seen some on the net with the 4 Cylinder but not the six.

 

Use only MOPAR tranny fluid. They work fine with some but it still slips..so use only MOPAR, no matter what anyone else tells you. Have the fluid flushed and have the filter changed, from what I understand they are two different services so don't assume they do both. Yes, you fluid should be pinkish...and most definitely not BLACK.
The tranny has a clutch pack (relays) that you can hear racheting, that's normal.
The reason for your slipping or no go after warming up is obvious...come on...black fluid, which means it's broken down too far and too old. Also, I could be wrong but, I don't think there's anything wrong with the DCX trannys, it's more of a tolerance issue, just like Honda, GMC...etc.

 

Things like that I will do myself to make sure there are no mishaps I planned to change the fluid tomorrow morning-- I have never in my life seen a car with black fluid--- its BLACK.......

Is there any online factory service manual for the avenger? I will probably end up having to pick up a factory service manual- Im glad I have a buddy in the parts dept at my local dealer in that case.

Heres a great link I found......... http://www.exileracing.com/transinfo.htm

 

I don't think there is an online one, but there may be IDK, I've never looked for one either. I like feeling and turning the pages, but that's just me.
Yeah, Steve and the other guys at Exile are great! They are an awesome provider for the Avenger/Sebring platform.

Did you get a chance to change your tranny fluid?

 

Not yet, I may do it tonight after Im done watching the Sebring race (which Im supposed to be at and am not! ) If not then tomorrow morning and I will post the results- I hope that the fluid is the problem, I would hate to have to rebuild that tranny- of course it may be easier to just find a five speed and convert it over- thats what I did with my other car...Im not a big fan of automatics. I went to Charlotte on business last week and rented a 300-- that is a car that deserves an automatic.

I think I will call the dealership about the factory service manual or I will try to find one online. It should only be around 80 bucks, but its worth it.

 

I bought my shop manual from eBay for $50 used but in good condition...both volumes. I think it was $100 for both from the dealerships.

 

Its done!! I changed the fluid and put in a new filter, I added one quart of lucas oil to help with the pressure level and I was driving it around the block 10 minutes later!!!! I have never ever ever seen black fluid in a transmission before- I added the lucas oil to the AT+3 b/c there were SO MANY SHAVINGS!!! There was a magnet in the pan that I thought might be a domed magnet----it was flat...........there was so much metal build up on it that it had become domed!!

So, my car is now in business----maybe tonight or wed night when I have some free time I will fabricate a cold air intake with all the hardpipes I have left from my other car. I have a couple of other problems ..battery light is on (which I think is probably the alternator) and the SRS light is on....(which I also read somewhere about it being something other the the SRS system causing that to be on) So I will address those in other threads.

 

Did you use the mopar stuff Todd or just regular at3 stuff? I've used that stuff too and it would caused my tranny to slip driving around town on a hot day.
Shavings are not good and a build up of it which gave it a dome shape is NOT good at all. Keep an eye on it, so to speak. At least you know the magnet works, lol. I think the battery light is from the car sitting for so long, I'm assuming that it wasn't driven because of the tranny. I think that SRS light is on because of the battery light. Try charging the battery or drive the car around for 30 min or so, then disconnect the battery cable for about 30min, reconnect the cable and drive it around a bit more.
Just remember, the car may run slightly rough after you reset the ECU because it has to "relearn" how you drive and it may take up to 50 miles of city driving for it to learn.

 

No, I didnt use "mopar" at3. If it really makes that big of a difference then I will take your advice and go pick some up at the dealer. I would think that the lucas oil ( are you familiar with what Im talking about-- the stuff you can get at the auto parts store in the white bottle ) would help with any slipping . I did check that out b/c I have read so many sites the last few days that make me paranoid to use anything else other then at3. We will see what happens. It gets so hot here....when summer comes I'll have to test it out and see-- He gets SOOOOO hot here, I already talked to one of my friends and we are going to shoot the car Black again, Im going to have the wheels that are one it powder coated and Im going to start putting the interior back together soon. I bought tint for it and some other pieces that were broken so I will post pictures when its starting to come around.


I put a brand new battery in it today and the light is still on. I cant find my multi meter, but when I do I will check the alternator- The battery posts were pretty bad I know. The whole car just sat for two years so..........I have alot of work to do........fun fun fun


John, thanks for your advice by the way with everything. The more and more I get familiar with this car, the more I like it.