'96 3.0 3 Speed Trans Slipping issue

[crxess]

Please read and add any helpful replies.
I have exhaustive searched this issue for days without luck.

Daughter-in-law . bought the van used a few weeks ago.
150k miles - history unknown.

Drove ok for 3 days. Returned to dealer with trans slipping. Kept for 3 days and claimed to pull and adjust trans. drove ok for another 3-4 days and stared slipping again. Dealer kept for another 3 days. Claimed trans is fine and vehicle needs tune up............. Took home still slipping.

I got involved on the final pickup and told my daughter-in-law to take the van home for now.

Ok, I am no Idiot. While I never work on automatic trans. I have been in automotive repair for 35 years. This is what is happening.

Cold or warm - When starting off in forward or reverse - Trans slips or shudders(dependent on amount of throttle applied)
Once moving 4-5mph it fully engages and operates fine.
Shifts 1,2,3 without any issue and seems to pull properly at all speeds.
Any stop causes it to drop to neutral and the process starts over.

Scanner shows a p0740 TCC code but the converter seems to be locking at speed properly.
Key turns shows a code 37 - But I'm not sure what to check that relates to this condition.

1. Further trips to the used car dealer are a waste. Upon inspection, not one bolt has been touched and I will not keep paying a 50/50 for false claims of work performed.
2. I cannot wrap my mind around the trans being fried when it drives fine.

Are there any adjustments I should have done? Possible fluid restrictions at low speed?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[mfahey]

People far more knowledgleable about transmissions may also post but the obvious things are to check the fluid level and if in doubt about the condition of the fluid, change it and the filter.
It seems to me that the 3 speed has bands that can be adjusted. It may be as simple as that.

[vipergg]

Sounds like this dealer doesn't know what he is doing and possibly just taking your money . I would get the tranny fluid and filter replaced and get the bands adjusted before doing anything else . Use only ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluid .Take it to a Chrysler dealer . If someone used dexron in it it could cause the problems you are seeing . Code 37 means the pcm is not seeing any rpm drop when the torque converter is supposedly locking up . Check the torque converter solenoid wiring connector that goes to the tranny in the front and make sure the connector is in tight and the connector is clean . The 3 speed is generally bulletproof though that is geting up there in miles . Also make sure the fluid is at the correct level once warmed up , overfilling or underfilling can cause aeration of the fluid and shifting anomalies.

[sgillett]

IMHO:
It sounds like the front pump has excessave wear. When the motor is at idle there is not enough pressure to apply the forward clutch until the motor RPM comes up and makes enough pressure. There could be a filter that's pluged too but I would think a plugged filter would be a bigger issue at higher RPM, maybe the TC lockup issue.
My guess!
Scott

[TomQuick]

I'd say it is time to see a good transmission shop. I was having some slipping / shuddering issues last year with my 4 spd. When I broke a drive axle during vacation, I had it towed to a trans shop. They replaced the axle, changed fluid and filter, and adjusted the belts. It wasn't cheap, but I haven't had any problems with it since.