Hey all - I just bought this van a few months ago.. getting ready to take it on a road trip and decided to have the tranny fluid and filter changed.. Tranny shop said there was metal shavings on the magnets and in the corner of the pan. They recommended a $2k rebuild. Now the van has been shifting fine except for a downshifting clunk at 30mph (starting when cold weather hit) which I understand is normal for these trannsmissions.

Thoughts? Or am I am on borrowed time if I do not rebuild now.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to DF
Some metal on the magnet is normal, only if it very little. If you have lots,then it could be a problem. At this time i would do the service and see where it goes.The harsh down shift. You may need the TCM and PCM update to fix that problem. There were TSB's at the dealer for these problems.

 

Ok thanks. do you have the TSB number(s) by chance?

 

NUMBER: 21-006-03 REV. A
GROUP: Transmission
DATE: August 1, 2003
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retreival system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 21-006-03, DATED
JUNE 20, 2003, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS
ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDES ADDITION OF KJ AND
2.4L RS VEHICLES , REVISED NOTES, AND NEW APPLICATION TABLE.
**THE SOFTWARE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON TechCONNECT FOR CS,
JR, LH, PL, PT, 3.3L AND 3.8L RS/RG, AND TJ VEHICLES**.
**THIS BULLETIN IS BEING PROVIDED IN ADVANCE FOR 2.4L RS/RG
VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON TechCONNECT ON
OR AFTER AUGUST 18, 2003. KJ SOFTWARE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON
TechCONNECT ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 3, 2003.**
SUBJECT:
Transmission Harsh 4-3 Downshift
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves reprogramming the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
MODELS:
2004 (CS) Pacifica
2003 - 2004 (JR) Sebring Convertible/Sebring Sedan/Stratus Sedan
**2003 (KJ) Liberty**
**2003 (KJ) Cherokee (International Markets)**
2003 - 2004 (LH) 300M/Concorde/Intrepid
2003 (PL) Neon/SX 2.0
2003 (PT) PT Cruiser
2003 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)
2003 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
2003 (TJ) Wrangler
NOTE: **Refer to the following table for specific applications.**
Model Engine Transmission Built On Or Before
CS 3.5L 41TE July 10, 2003
JR 2.4L or 2.7L 41TE July 2, 2003
21-006-03 REV. A -2-
Model Engine Transmission Built On Or Before
KJ 3.7L 42RLE
LH 2.7L or 3.5L 42LE
PL 2.0L 41TE
PT 2.0L or 2.4L 41TE
RS/RG 2.4L, 3.3L or 3.8L 41TE
TJ 4.0L 42RLE
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Vehicle may exhibit, after an extended soak (several hours), a harsh 4-3 downshift.
DIAGNOSIS:
Using a Scan Tool (DRBIII®) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures, verify all engine
systems are functioning as designed. If DTCs are present record them on the repair
order and repair as necessary before proceeding further with this bulletin.
If the vehicle operator describes the Sympton/Condition, perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
AR (1) 04669020 Label, Authorized Software Update
AR (1) 04275086AB Label, Authorized Modification
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
NPN Battery Charger
CH2002 General Purpose Interface Bus Cable Assembly
CH6000A Scan Tool (DRBIII®)
CH7000A/7001A J1962 Cable
TechCONNECT Workstation
NOTE: **An updated J1962 cable has been released. This cable has
a red colored connector at the DRBIII® connection. Use this cable
whenever a flash is being preformed.**
-3- 21-006-03 REV. A
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Check the transmission fluid level. If fluid level is full proceed to step 2. If fluid
level is low, diagnose and repair fluid leak. Proceed to step 2.
NOTE: Whenever a PCM/TCM is replaced or reprogrammed, the software
in the controller and DRBIII® must be verified as having the latest revision
level. If a controller software update flash is available, complete the
flash and labeling requirement as directed in the appropriate service
bulletin identified on the TechCONNECT.
2. Connect a battery charger and set as close to 14 volts charge as possible.
3. Flash the controller using the TechCONNECT and DRBIII®.
NOTE: **Using the DRBIII® preform the proper Quick Learn procedure. Refer to
the service information available in TechCONNECT or the appropriate service
manual in Section 8E - Electronic Control Modules.**
NOTE: Due to the PCM reprogramming procedure, a DTC may be set in other
modules (TCM, BCM, MIC, SKIM, etc.) within the vehicle, if so equipped. Some
DTC’s may cause the MIL to illuminate. All DTC’s relate to a loss of communications
with the module that is being reprogrammed. Check all modules, record the DTC’s,
and erase these DTC’s prior to returning the vehicle to the customer. Erase any
DTC’s in the PCM only after all other modules have had their DTC’s erased.
NOTE: The following steps are required by law.
4. Type the necessary information on the “Authorized Software Update Label” p/n 04669020
(Fig. 1). Attach the label to the controller and cover the label with the clear plastic overlay.
Fig. 1 AUTHORIZED SOFTWARE UPDATE LABEL
5. Type the necessary information on the “Authorized Modification Label” p/n
04275086AB and attach near the VECI label (Fig. 2).
21-006-03 REV. A -4-
Fig. 2 AUTHORIZED MODIFICATION LABEL
1 - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE P/N (INSERT P/N) USED
2 - CHANGE AUTHORITY: TSB XX-XXX-XX
3 - DEALER CODE: XXXXX
4 - DATE: XX-XX-XX
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation No: Description Amount
08-19-37-90 Reprogram Transmission Control Module 0.5 Hrs.
FAILURE CODE:
FM Flash Module

 

Thanks.. I picked up the van and the downshift clunk is gone. However, the tranny shop is recommending I not even drive the van given the amount metal in the pan... hmmmm.. Again, it shifts fine.. I think I will continue to drive and check the pan again in about 6 weeks before I leave for FL... thoughts?

 

Hey all - here is an update. I had a warranty on the drivetrain so the tranny has been replaced. I understand they used a rebuilt one from a lower mileage 04.. Saved me $2100.

Any way, I have the van back and the tranny still clunks when downshifting around 30 mph. Do I still need to make a trip to the dealer to get this fixed? I am going on a roadtrip in two weeks (Minneapolis to Orlando).
Thanks!

 

I would still have the controller flashed and a quick learn on the transmission.

 

Ok will do... does the bump shift hurt the transmission at all?