Just got an 01 Stratus with a 2.4 and automatic.

It seems like the converter is locking up and disengaging at cruise in 4th gear. I'm also getting intermittent delayed shifts where it'll rev to 3k and not shift into the next gear. It's not slipping...yet.

The fluid smells good, looks good, and I'm not getting a check engine light.

Do these trannys have a lockup solenoid on the valve body that can be causing this? Is there a throttle positioning sensor that can be going bad? Any guesses at to what might be going on?

 

I would flush the AT fluid once or twice and see if it helps first.

 

According to the Carfax, this thing had a fluid/filter change about 15k ago. NO WAY will I ever do a flush, since that dislodges things that tend to clog valves and passages.

I did a little test today. Seems like it's also taking off in the wrong gear sometimes, and sometimes hanging up in 2nd.

The converter also randomly disengages in 4th, causing noticeable reengaging, or a quick flutter - like rapid fire locking/unlocking.

I also need to say that sometimes it works perfectly.

Now all of these problems have me leaning toward an ECM issue. I don't think it's possible to pinpoint a single mechanical problem that can explain all these issues.

 

A fluid filter/change means nothing. And that's the point of flushing the fluid, to remove any buildup. What valves/passages in a transmission?

 

The valve body has numerous valves in it, and passages that the fluid is forced through. If you get a chunk of that loosened up material stuck in a passage it can cause the trans to stop getting fluid into where it needs. Same goes for any chunks getting stuck in front of or behind a valve, which will cause it to stick.

The killer of most transmissions is heat, not a buildup of clutch dust. Doing a flush is one of the best ways to screw up your transmission.

I'm not familiar with dodge trannys, and that's why I'm asking about solenoids, TPS's, and ECMs.