Hey y'all. I have a 2002 Stratus 2.7 L auto. It's been slipping a lot when it downshifts and upshifts into first gear. If I stop at a stop sign, it downshifts hard. When I go from the stop, it slips like it's in neutral and then clunks hard into first. I had the transmission control module changed when I bought the car. It's got 120k on it and this has been going on for a while. It drives fine otherwise. The fluid was changed a while ago and is at the appropriate level.
Any suggestions? Im afraid it's on it's way out and that scares me.

 

You need to have the transmission scanned with a DRB3 (dealer) Have a clutch test done and find out what the CVI's are? And post them.

 

Ok I will have it checked out at the dealer. I was kind of hoping to avoid that expense but I guess it's cheaper than a new tranny if it can be fixed.

 

you don't need to go to a dealer. anyone with a real scanner can do that (corner garage, local high school, handy neighbor, etc. I get CVI's with a Snap-on mt2500 I bought on Ebay for $300. if you need a trans, and are nearby, I could put a used low miles trans in for you for $600 (trans and labor) includes 90 warranty. I have several in stock.

 

Oh excellent! Thank you. We have a good friend that owns a shop and always takes care of us so I wasnt looking forward to going to a dealer. LOL!
Where about's you at? Im in Minnesota.

 

about 200 miles south east of the twin cities.

 

hey yall, ended up getting a new car so the old one took a back seat on the priority list. i think the boyfriend will be bringing the car in within the next couple days since he's driving it now.

 

Did you buy another Dodge???????????? And keep us posted on the old car too.

 

that's a big negative. i couldnt with an honest conscience buy one because they took the bail out. that wasnt right in my eyes. the other problems were that the only cars they put out that i like are mainly RWD and in minnesota thats a huge no no. i cant afford an AWD between the buying cost increase and the fuel mileage hit. i was looking at getting a magnum but the reliability factor just scares me. test drove an avenger and it was nice until i started reading reviews by people who own them. it was repeated over and over again that it was the worst car they have ever owned. it was also a complete dog even with the 3.5. basically chrysler severely disappointed me all around. i have owned so many chryslers especially neons that even the chick at the dmv was floored when i walked in last night with something other than a neon. it breaks my heart that chrysler has not made me proud. i hope they pick themselves up off the floor and step up to the game.
Gm was out because they took the bailout as well. their interior quality on their cars sucks. thought about caddy but they only make 1 car thats FWD. Again, anything AWD is expensive. the 2 caddies i looked at had some quality deficiencies including very chipped paint, flaking chrome, spiderwebbed chrome door handles and they were around 60k miles. not that old!
went with a ford product, the mercury milan actually. basically a fancy fusion which was car of the year. 29 mpg highway with the v6, reliability and crash ratings are top notch. plenty of power and completely loaded with options including heated seats and mirrors, 6 disc mp3 changer in dash, auto dimming mirrors, HID headlights, etc. 13k for one with 36,000 miles... it was a perfect fit for me. i know 4 other people with fusions ranging from an 06 fwd 4 cyl to a brand new v6 awd and they are absolutely thrilled and had zero complaints about them or any problems with them.