I've had alot of history with '93-'95 Caravans & Voyagers, and the only weak link I've come across is the auto transmission. Have there been any upgrades from the A604 3 or 4 speed? I'm looking to buy another van and this is a big issue for me, since I've shelled out thousands in transmissions!

 

The 3 speed (which is a 31TH) has remained essentially the same until it was discontinued in 2001. The 604 has evolved into the 41TE (starting in 96). The 41TE is exactly the same transmission as the 604, they just fixed all of the mistakes they made engineering it. It has now become an incredibly reliable unit used in everything from the fwd cars to the minivans and has even evolved into a RWD trans for the Liberty. And soon in 2006 it will again evolve into the 62TE which makes it a 6 speed automatic, and with a new proram in the controller could become an eight speed....a little off topic, sorry! Basically the newer the better, and if they have been rebuilt at some point they should be all updated with newer parts. Try finding a 96 body style van, they are not too expensive and have the newer 41TE.

 

Hey where did you find that info on the new 62TE's?

 

I'm actually Chrysler tech, the last training class I attended was for highlights and the new 6 speed manual trannies. They will be debuting here soon in 06. The 6 speed is also flashable to an eight speed (will be used for the FWD diesel engines that are coming)

 

Also the transmissions have a newer, superior transmission fluid called ATF+4. This fuild has a longer rated life span. The ATF+3 was supposed to be flushed according to the manuals at 15,000 miles. The new ATF+4 is rated to be able to last till 48,000 miles (I recommend flushing at 30,000 miles just to be safe). This will help a lot. I would actually prefer the 41TE to GM and Ford automatics based off of my experience with all three of them. BTW, don't get into this philosophy that Japanese vehicles are perfect. Honda has had its share of transmission problems as well. Some versions of the Toyota 2.2L and 3.0L had bad sludging problems. These were used in the cars, minivans, SUVs, etc. No car manufacturer is perfect. The secret to a good life with a Chrysler transmission is frequent transmission fuild flushes.

 

I wouldnt say the A604 evolvd into the 41TE, its more like they "renamed it" after making a few minor changes. Sure its more reliable than the early A604s but not that much more reliable. Supposedly rebuiding a early 90s A604 will bring it up to date with all the engineering changes, etc (hence why ATF+4 is used on rebuilt older A604s)... yet I see and talk to alot of people who have had their A604 rebuilt over and over and over again.

The local tranny shops run TV ads picturing mostly caravans since the A604 makes up a bulk of their customer basis.

But, not to sound discouraging- the A604 isnt that bad, sure its got a reputation and alot of people have had alot of problems with them- but not every A604 is as weak as people say. Mine has 150k on it, and I know a few people over 200k on theirs w/out any rebuilds.

And its not like its a chrysler thing, there are a few trannies as bad or worse in other brands out there (some Fords, Gms, even asian cars).

But I would strongly argue that the A604/41TE's problems have not been fully "fixed by redesigning stuff", its still a weak tranny.

 

Id still have to argue that the 41TE is better than the 604. The number of trannies I have to do have dramatically reduced to almost nothing from one or two a week of the 604s.

 

I thought abt that for a while, I'd have to say you're prolly correct- the updated parts make a difference, and if you know your stuff- it would make sense that you'd see fewer come in once they're serviced correctly.

But sadly, there are too many shops running around thinking they "know how to rebuild an A604" and dont use all the updated parts, or dont use ATF+4 on rebuilt parts- hell look at all the service stations that use dexcron in a brand new 41TE minivan.... ATF+4 maybe a dealer item, but Chrysler doesnt hide ATF+4's existance.

Right now an Allpar there's a guy with a AAMCO rebuilt A604 that needs a rebuild just 40,000miles on it- why? AAMCO didnt know to use ATF+3 let alone ATF+4 and the tranny died from the wrong fluid. First they told him (When asked) that they use dexcron + special additive cocktail, then when pointed out that that is the wrong fluid, they said "oops, ment ATF+3/7176" .... but really, if its using all the updated parts it should be ATF+4.

I would not be surprised if half the A604's bad reputation, is due to improper rebuilds and using the wrong fluid. Would certainly explain why A604's/41TE's commonly need to be rebuilt over, and over, and over again.

 

You have to be careful using ATF +4 in the 604s, minivans between 1996 and mid production 2000 cannot use +4 due to the pulse width modulated torque converter clutch. It will cause a shudder, otherwise it woulod be fine in those units. Its a software problem, nothing to do with the transmission internal parts.

 

I have a 97 Chrysler T&C, 3.8L with the 41TE. The previous post mentioned ATF+3 for A604 trannys which from my understanding in prior to 1996. But also stated the newer trannys can take ATF+4 but confused that by stating ATF+3 must be in 1996 to mid 2000 vehicles. Which is it? +4 or +3 for my 1997? Thanks.