im new as well, although i cannot seem to find the new thread button, if i can even do that. but im having problems with my 01 neon, think you could help?

 

Sure what's up

 

basically i think its the TC, but slowing down, it will die unless you put it in neutral or 2nd, because the TC locks up at 24mph, right after third, depending on how much you give it the gas, but no mtter what, within 2-3 seconds, it will lock up in 3rd, and wont unlock unless you come to a slow stop, then it will almost kill the engine, then disengage, or neutral/2nd gear it. i have replaced the tcc selonoid, i was told change the tranny fluid again, the car has a short i beleave, the horn has to be all the way up(tilted up, and locked) for the horn to work, and you can see where its grounding to the body from a worn spot, thats why it has to be all the way up. it says fuse, but EVERY fuse is good and none missing, as well as interior light doesnt work, also, before i replaced the tcc selonoid, unplugged or not, it would lock up, im going to check and see if its grounding somewhere, making it lock up, but dont know where to check that, the car has 180k on it, transmission is good and strong, shifts fine, just not sure where to start with this situation, besides replacing the selonioid, fluid, and checking for a short, i thought it might be a speed sensor, but nothing i can find points to that, i have a 2000 for parts, and this one is a 2001, when i replaced the tcc selonoid, the screen looked blocked with gunk, thats why i went ahead and replaced it. but if there is any help you could give, i would GREATLY appreciate it, as well if i could figure out how to post this question so others can possibly help, i just signed up 2 -3 hours ago, and i just cant find how to post, but thanks again!

 

Hmmm did it just start randomly happening? And how often was the tranny fluid changed

 

i bought it like this, i just replaced the fluid 100 miles ago, the filter was DIRTY when i replaced it, the tcc selonoid looked newer, not factory, the car had a new air filter, plugs, and wires, so it seems as if he tried taking care of it.

 

I moved this to the secondgeneration Neon section. There is a 'new thread' button in the top left of the screen that will now read 'new reply' once you are in a thread. There is a 'forum jump' pull down window in the lower right of the screen that will allow you to navigate the site and it different sections for different vehicles,
FF

 

Auto trans in dodge have never been that good lol best bet is that the tc is filled with clutch material from when the tranny blew up. I would honestly just replace the tranny,especially with the fluid being so dark when ya replaced it. I don't know too much about auto trans unfortanetly but that's what I would do. Sorry if im not much help on this

 

oh on the one im talking about, (2001 neon) never had problems with the tranny, it just locks up, to early, the fluid wasnt dark or anything, the filter was just, dirty(like it hasnt been changed), hardly anything on the magnet in the pan.
you may have gotten confused if i mentioned i had a 2000 neon with a bad transmission, i was just stating i was using it for parts, so if there was anything that i should try, i could.

i definatly appreciate your opinion, and your help.

but, i just dont understand what it would be, as the transmission itself works fine, pulls great, doesnt slip, catches quick at low rpms, could it be the computer? could it be a short on the tcc plug somewhere, causing it to lock up no matter if its plugged in or not, i read its just basically when its time for lock up, the tcc grounds, and locks it up.
here are the cars ENTIRE issues, maybe someone can figure it out, help me, or point me in a good direction

the car says "fuse" in the gauges, sometimes at startup(if i just sit there for a few minutes), but pops up right away when i put it in drive. . all i can find is good fuses, and none missing. as well, the interior lamp doesnt work, bulb is good, and like i said, the horn, doesnt work, unless the tilt part of the wheel is all the way up, and tightened(you can see where it tightens down to hold it, bare spot and as if it grounds to that, and works).

leading to my main question, could it be a short, something in the valve body? torque converter, or the transmission in general, even though thats the only issue? any help is GREATLY appreciated.

AND would it be safe to try a can of seafoam transmission tune, just in case it could be something in the valve body? i know i put lucus in the 2000 neon stated above for parts, and 300-400 miles later, bad tranny.

the reason im asking if its the valve body, is i read, it basically floods the converter to make it lock up, that the tcc triggers a passageway for the fluid to go into the converter, flooding it, activating the internal clutch, causing lock up, and is it possible for the TC to lock up in 1st or 2nd? because it will only do it in third..

thanks!