2000 Dodge Caravan - Maybe a Transmission control unit problem
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2000 Dodge Caravan - Maybe a Transmission control unit problem
Hi all, dont know much about vehicles but anyways, I have been having some transmission problems with my 2000 Dodge Caravan (6 cylinder 3.3L).
The gears are not fully engaging when they are being shifted. At first it started out with vehicle "sputtering" upon ignition, usually after its been turned off after being off for an extended period of time (6-8hrs+). In park it would sputter and the speedometer would go crazy, fluxerate up and down. It would settle down after a few minutes and when i put it in drive, all would be fine. Only one time did it sputter like that when it was in drive which caused the engine to stall.
Heres a video of what im talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF8d-yC_gXc
Anyways that sputtering problem upon ignition actually doesn't happen anymore, instead it has gotten worse and it doesnt fully engage into gear now. As you can see in the video when the vehicle is in Neutral - theres square boxes around all of the gear selections. its like it all the time now, so the only way i know what gear its in is to count them as i shift.
Sometimes theres a delay when going from Park to Drive and when it does engage theres usually a loud noise of the gears changing.
Also when driving it is noticeable that the gear is not fully engaged. It feels like its "dragging" or that im driving with the handbreak on. Sometimes when I put it in reverse it acts like its in neutral or park and doesn’t reverse at all.
Also on the dashboard the speedometer and gas meter aren’t working correctly anymore. This problem occurred the sometime as transmission problem worsened.
Also it should be noted that a few days before the gears not fully engaging, i heard a "clicking" sound coming from the fuse box. it only occurred shortly after ignition and lasted for a few seconds.
The last time i had it checkout at a repair shop was when the engine stalled due to the sputtering while driving. they said the problem was with the electrical system or onboard computer that controls the transmission and gave me an estimate of about $1000. i havent had it taken to a shop since these new problems occurred.
Upon further online research of my own, I’ve concluded it maybe the electronic shift control module or the input or output speed sensor on the transmission control unit. which my guess is the onboard computer that mechanic was talking about.
If it is this, would $1000 for having it fixed be about right? This van is 10 years old and was bought used. It has 75,000+ miles on it. $1000 would better be spent on a new vehicle.
anyways thanks in advance for any advice.
The gears are not fully engaging when they are being shifted. At first it started out with vehicle "sputtering" upon ignition, usually after its been turned off after being off for an extended period of time (6-8hrs+). In park it would sputter and the speedometer would go crazy, fluxerate up and down. It would settle down after a few minutes and when i put it in drive, all would be fine. Only one time did it sputter like that when it was in drive which caused the engine to stall.
Heres a video of what im talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF8d-yC_gXc
Anyways that sputtering problem upon ignition actually doesn't happen anymore, instead it has gotten worse and it doesnt fully engage into gear now. As you can see in the video when the vehicle is in Neutral - theres square boxes around all of the gear selections. its like it all the time now, so the only way i know what gear its in is to count them as i shift.
Sometimes theres a delay when going from Park to Drive and when it does engage theres usually a loud noise of the gears changing.
Also when driving it is noticeable that the gear is not fully engaged. It feels like its "dragging" or that im driving with the handbreak on. Sometimes when I put it in reverse it acts like its in neutral or park and doesn’t reverse at all.
Also on the dashboard the speedometer and gas meter aren’t working correctly anymore. This problem occurred the sometime as transmission problem worsened.
Also it should be noted that a few days before the gears not fully engaging, i heard a "clicking" sound coming from the fuse box. it only occurred shortly after ignition and lasted for a few seconds.
The last time i had it checkout at a repair shop was when the engine stalled due to the sputtering while driving. they said the problem was with the electrical system or onboard computer that controls the transmission and gave me an estimate of about $1000. i havent had it taken to a shop since these new problems occurred.
Upon further online research of my own, I’ve concluded it maybe the electronic shift control module or the input or output speed sensor on the transmission control unit. which my guess is the onboard computer that mechanic was talking about.
If it is this, would $1000 for having it fixed be about right? This van is 10 years old and was bought used. It has 75,000+ miles on it. $1000 would better be spent on a new vehicle.
anyways thanks in advance for any advice.
The ouput sensor must be picking up a signal. I would disconnect the output sensor and see if still have a problem. Next thing I would check too, With the van running, unplug the TRS sensor. All of the squares will light up. Does it still do the same thing.