Our 96 Caravan transmission has some problems. It has been clunking on the downshift as you are almost at a stop. Last night my wife got in the car to drive it home and it would not shift into high gear - she drove it home on side streets and it never would shift out of 2nd. The clunk has been around for a while. I was told that there are some seals that are probably bad which could cause the clunk. The only other time it did not shift in to high gear was on a trip one time where we were driving up some long slow hills and it probably got a little hot. I stopped the car for a half hour and started up again and it never had a problem until last night. But last night the car had been parked for a few hours so it wasn't due to it being hot. The tranny has been leaking for a while and I recently put in some type of stop leak in it (probably a mistake) but it said it was compatible with all transmissions. The car has 160 thousand miles on it. I haven't taken it to a trans shop yet but thought I'd get some opinions first. We're at the point where we're thinking about a new car but, does it sound like the tranny is shot?
Thanks
tactransman
07-01-2007, 12:01 PM
You need to get it scanned,the code will tell you what's up.
vanskillinmeman
07-01-2007, 05:37 PM
These transmissions are a little finicky... It sounds like your transmission has gone into "limp mode". Make sure there is enough transmission fluid in it before you spend any money. If it needs fluid go for ATF4+ only. If you have an OBDII scanner or know someone who does it would behoove you to get the codes from your van. Thats the least expensive way to start anyway. You may get away with just a speed sensor ($26.00) or perhaps a shift solenoid ($180.00). As for that leak, you might want to clean the tranny up and get it warm and then lay under it and look for the leak (engine off). This can be a relaxing and inexpensive way to spend a week night...Good luck to you. I hope this helps.
ctxman
07-01-2007, 06:19 PM
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I have a reader and did a scan but don't get any error codes. I've replaced the filter and put in fresh fluid ATF 4 and the level is correct. The thing still doesn't shift out of low gear. My father in law thinks that maybe one of the pistons is bent or something like that. Anyway, if anyone else has any other suggestions I'm open to them.
Thanks,
John
tactransman
07-01-2007, 10:11 PM
If it is in limp mode,you HAVE a code.You need a better code reader.
