My daughter's 2000 Stratus has the tranny in it from my '97 Stratus. The tranny started "skipping" yesterday. Should we replace the entire transmission, or should I swap out the torque converter.

For the sake of clarity; this tranny ran fine for the last month. That's when I put it in the car. I replaced the transmission filter and all the fluid. It came from my Stratus, which ran great for the last 10 years . . . until my daughter crashed the car and bent the frame.

 

try to change out the filter and atf again (make sure you use the spec'd atf). it's poss this might fix the prob. when you put fresh atf in the trans it flushes out all the "sludge" that builds up in the nooks and crannies. if you catch it soon enough you can get away with a filter and fluid swap (may have to do it a few more times). if it's too late the "sludge" will clog up all the control valves and your looking at a total rebuild. let us know what you find out and good luck.

 

I purchased a new filter and 7 quarts of synthetic tranny oil. The pan was full of what looked like pepper. The magnet was covered with a grey muck that was the consisitancy of axle grease. I cleaned everything and installed the new filter and oil.

Now the transmission shifts smoother than it did before. I can still hear a slight whine under heavy acceleration, but there is no slippage detectable. I told my daughter to let me know the instant that slippage starts . . . I'll change the filter and oil once, again!

Thanks for your help! It worked! My daughter's car did not need a tranny rebuild to get back on the road.

Thunderfire