Hello dodge enthusiast,
My aunt car started to act funny,
It will get reverse, but no forward drive.
Took out the dipstick out, and the fluid smells burnt. That not a good sign.
She did a rebuild at this local tranny shop like not even a yr ago, but warranty is gone. She came to me for help.... I researched and these vehicles teld to get converter shudder. A simple shift kit will fixed that. Any suggestions. I have time to figure out the issue. With the scanner will it read the TCM codes from the OBD2 connector. Im not getting codes, I was kinda hoping to read code 470. Shell be stepping out of town for the holidays.Would you guys recommend a tranny flush and filter, and doing the shift kit or straight out swap tranny?

 

Nope, stick a fork in it... it's DONE. There is no magical fix for this problem If you have no forward what so ever even in Limp-in, but have reverse, the Underdrive clutches are shot. the burnt fluid is a crucial clue. No magic fixes, no mechanic in can, no trans flush will fix this problem. Rationale: you have reverse so you have functioning converter, pump and hydraulic pressure. To go forward in 1st you need underdrive clutch and Low-reverse clutch. Obviously you have reverse so L-R clutch is fine. So that leaves the underdrive clutch. 2nd gear is default if there's a problem with the trans like no forward in 1st, so it will jump into 2nd after a couple seconds trying to go in 1st. Well, 2nd is Underdrive clutch and 2/4 clutch. So using logical problem solving, the problem points at the underdrive clutch related items. As for torque converter shudder: The problem ONLY occurs in 3rd or 4th gear when lockup applies. And the research the 'teld' you that, has nothing to do with your problem. I can absolutely state that because you're sayin it won't even go forward so the lockup converter issue is not even a factor!

 

Oh okay thanks alot man. Well I'll get on it this week.
Will just drop in a rebuilt transmission. NO other way around it.
I'll be ordering an oil cooler with an inline magnafine filter to drop the temperature significantly as well as a shift kit to prevent future problems from arising. What model oil cooler would fit perfectly in the caravan Im thinking either hayden or perma-cool brands? Thanks for the input.

 

I never had a problem with stock cooler, the shift kits really don't do a lot since the computer does the shift. I've used TransGo and Sonnex shift "improvers", there's really no major improvements. since I learned what they do, I just drill the holes recommended, and install a solid bar the same length as their kit, inside the accumulator springs.

 

Oh right, thanks for the input. I'll just go ahead and do the shift kit then.
I brought it up because I own a ford and there were issues with that particular tranny were doing the shift kit fixed incorrect line pressure which was caused by harsh or delayed shifts....anyways different issue.
Juan

 

My 96 had a cooler in the radiator, it fryed at least 2 tranny's before I got it. I installed a external cooler and it has been fine.

My 2001 has a nice big external cooler from the factory. This is a
2.4 with 3 speed auto.

I'm not sure when they changed but if it has a internal cooler I would put a external on there.

 

The biggest mistake done by trans replacers is the cooler does not get flushed or flushed properly. However this situation primarily is a concern if planetary failure occured. When the cooler plugs up, you loose lube to the planets and that's a guarantee for failure. Then there's the people that connect the hoses backwards which will also cause planet failure. However the cooler is irrelevant to the OP's problem!!

 

I'd try a factoy cooler from a later model van, it fits in between
the condenser and the radiator with a long bracket. It could also
mount in front of the condenser.

Nice unit and should be cheap at a yard.

 

So what does a trans cooler have to do with the OP topic? It has nothing to do with his problem

 

The man is asking what cooler to buy.