My 2000 Stratus has chk eng light on and will not shift out of 2nd gear. Checked trans fluid-ok. removed neg battery cable for 5 min and reattached and still has same problem. Any advice out there?
Warren[]

 

I hate to say I don’t know, but....
With the Check Engine light on, I’d have to guess the TCM (Transmission Control Module) has failed and is in 2nd as some sort of failsafe mode.

2cents
Vince

 

pull the codes and let us know what you have. you might think of getting the trans filter changed out. what type of engine you got?

 

can you tell me where the TCM is located on this particular car?

 

it's most likily the transmission control module like stated before and there is always a failsafe gear so you can get to the side of the road, don't drive with it like that or you will need a new transmission, the failsafe gear is only meant to be driven a few miles.

 

Well, I took it to a transmission shop and it turned out to be the input speed sensor.

 

Two thumbs up!
Thanks for letting us know!

Vince

 

good deal!!!! the BEST part about this forum is 90% of people write back and say what fixed the problem. keep it up everyone!! happy motoring!

 

Too bad I hadn't seen this earlier - I had the exact same problem on my '99 stratus, and I could have told you it was very likely to be the speed sensor.

If you're able to get the error codes (which I don't have the equipment for), it'll tell you the problem is speed control. Its certainly cheaper than a new transmission!

A few of telltale signs to watch out for from my experience:
1) Car shifts roughly leading up to incident, especially down shifting.
2) Car has extremely rough down shift (whunk), after which it will not shift up to higher gears.
3) Speedometer does not work after incident.

If this happens to you, I'd recommend getting the codes if you can, obviously. If not, when you take it in to the repair shop, suggest to your mechanic that the problem is likely the speed sensor.

 

I have a 2000 Dodge Stratus and the check engine light came on, the speedometer quit working and the car wouldn't shift into the next gear. Did some quick research and figured it would be either the gas cap or the output sensor. It wasn't the gas cap, so I called AutoZone and they had the sensor in stock. I drove there gleefully thinking I had this one for low bucks, but when I got there and they put their scanner on to read the diagnostic, it said the tranny is out of synch! AAAGH! What is this going to involve, I wonder? Doesn't sound good to me!