Looking for some advice, I am experiencing Transmission problems with my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan ES with 3.8L V6 and 41TE 4 Speed Transaxle. My van has relatively low mileage for its age (64,700 miles) and I have meticulously maintained it over the years, as I am a full time wheelchair user and have a good deal of money invested in the vehicle in the way of wheelchair accessibility modifications, and needless to say, enjoy the peace of mind of a reliable vehicle. Just recently the Transmission has begun to slip into what feels like a false neutral while shifting from 2nd to 3rd, never engaging 3rd. Then, I will let off the throttle and it will kick back into 2nd. If I accelerate again it will do the same. After two or three failed attempts at engaging 3rd it will kick into Limp-in mode and stay in 2nd gear. I brought it to my local Chrysler Dealer and they told me the Trans needs to be rebuilt at a cost of $1,100. I am posting this in hope that someone may have had a similar symptom and may be able to shed some light on the cause and possibly a less costly repair.

 

I am a trans tech with dodge, the price they gave you is a good price. Our shop would be in the 1500.00 to 1900.00 range.

 

Thanks for responding. Yeah, the Transmission Tech seemed like a nice guy and very knowledgeable. He assured me he would replace all internal parts prone to failure or wear with current Mopar Parts. He also told me many parts have been updated and improved, which in theory, should improve the reliability of the Transmission. I'm sure the Tech is much more knowledgeable than I am, and I trust his opinion, as they are a very reputable dealer and he has a $4,000 scan tool and I don't! But all to often the simple things are overlooked. So just to satisfy my curiosity I will try resetting the TCM, and then I will check the pin connectors at the TCM and Transmission, as I have heard they are prone to corrosion and failure. If there's one thing I have learned in my life, it is to start with the simple things first.

 

got problems with my 96 dodge,tranny.
I have to let the engine and tranny warm up to its operating temp, in order to be able to use reverse and all the other gears low, 3rd drive and over drive.
so I called a transmission shop and they state that the tranny oil filter may be plugged, and to try changing this first to see if it solves the problem.
like the oil filter and gasket for the oil pan is a 12.00 fix. plus new tranny oil.
then he said if this still continues then its the front pump,which is some what more costly.
but I would try a tranny flush ,then install the new oil filter first.
never know it just might work and could give you enough time to save for and buy a rebuilt one.