I have removed my old Caravan transmission and am awaiting the new one to be delivered. I picked up one of those Dodge Factory warrantied transmissions. I see things like how difficult it is to set up and get the new one trained to shift right. I have read of some things and procedures you can do to break it in. I have also heard that you might be able to take it to your local Dodge dealer and he can hook a DRB-II to it and program things in so the shifting will be right
Rick99
09-04-2007, 08:56 PM
You didn't say what year and engine your van is, but assuming you have the 41TE, you are supposed to use the DRBIII to run a "Quicklearn". This takes about 30 seconds and allows the computer to learn the clutch volume indexes (CVI's) for your new transmission-- in English-- the computer learns how long it needs to keep the solenoid valves open to smoothly engage the transmission clutches. If you use your old computer that has learned larger CVI's, it's likely that it will shift hard at first. I don't know if this will do any damage, or how quickly the computer will learn the correct CVIs-- I've never tried it.
The other thing you are supposed to do with the DRBIII when you install a new tranny (and presumably a new or rebuilt torque converter) is to put the computer in "torque converter break-in mode". According to the manual, this prevents full converter clutch lock-up for a while to properly break in the friction material so the converter clutch will live longer.
The DRBIII has a special function that you run when you install a new transmission too. I don't know if it does anything other than the above-- none of the service materials say and all the tool does is ask you to verify, walk you through the "quicklearn" procedure, then it says it's done.
Oh, and the DRBII is the older tool. If your van is old enough, it will work with it, but if your van is newer, it would need the DRBIII (I think 1993 or so was the transition from II to III).
G-Dogg
09-05-2007, 01:37 PM
Yes,
I forgot to mention it was a 99 Plymouth Grand Voyager with a 3.3 and yes the A604 or 41TE. I don't have any of those tools. I was just asking if anyone had experience and suggested I take it to the dealer or someone with a DRB-III to set it up right. Thanks for the info. I read a length procedure that one can do with the car still on the hoist. Guess you slowly throttle up and feel the 2nd to 3rd shifts and repeat a lengthy procedure until it shifts smooth then and only then take it out slowly on the road and feel up and down shifts. Anyway, found that on the net somewhere. Sounds like I will see about having someone with the DRB-III hook it up and set it up.
Thanks again
