First let me say that this forum is the best source of Dodge (and by association, Chrysler) info and expertise that I've found on the Web! I'm glad you guys are here. In fact there is so much info in this place that finding an answer to my specific issue is difficult, even with search. So, sorry that I'm going to post a question that you guys have probably seen several times before. A pointer to any threads that already address it would be fine, as would any answers, of course!
Here goes - I have a '96 Chrysler T&C (a replacement for our 94 Grand Caravan that was wrecked quite a few years ago), with the 3.8 V-6 and a 41TE tranny. Unlike all the horror stories I've heard bout these in the past, I've been lucky with mine - nearly 225,000 miles on it so far with no major tranny work; just regular fluid changes.
Until now, that is.... Here's the problem. It has lost the ability to go into 3rd, and the symptoms from my tranny don't seem to completely compare with all the others who have gone into Limp-mode. First of all, mine doesn't stay in Limp. Every time the van is shut off and allowed to rest for more than an hour, it starts up again in 1st, then shifts to 2nd, and hunts for 3rd a couple of times before finally Limping, staying in second. Second, it's not throwing any codes that I can see. I don't have a DRB III to talk to the TCM directly, but there are no OBD-II codes, not even a P0700. So... lacking the cash needed to invest in a DRB, what can I do to troubleshoot this thing? More importantly, is it worth the risk (and cash outlay) to replace the solenoid pack before I start investigating where I can get a rebuilt tranny? Finally, is there any way, once I do any work on it, to get the TCM to go into training mode without a DRB? Or maybe since the system doesn't stay in Limp, I have something squirrelly with the TCM that is keeping it forever in training?
Any help you guys could provide would be VERY welcome. We're surviving on a shoestring right now, so spending lots of $$ is not an option. If the tranny is in need of a rebuild/replacement, I may have to opt for giving up the van. I'd rather not do that - she's been too good to us for far too long.
Here goes - I have a '96 Chrysler T&C (a replacement for our 94 Grand Caravan that was wrecked quite a few years ago), with the 3.8 V-6 and a 41TE tranny. Unlike all the horror stories I've heard bout these in the past, I've been lucky with mine - nearly 225,000 miles on it so far with no major tranny work; just regular fluid changes.
Until now, that is.... Here's the problem. It has lost the ability to go into 3rd, and the symptoms from my tranny don't seem to completely compare with all the others who have gone into Limp-mode. First of all, mine doesn't stay in Limp. Every time the van is shut off and allowed to rest for more than an hour, it starts up again in 1st, then shifts to 2nd, and hunts for 3rd a couple of times before finally Limping, staying in second. Second, it's not throwing any codes that I can see. I don't have a DRB III to talk to the TCM directly, but there are no OBD-II codes, not even a P0700. So... lacking the cash needed to invest in a DRB, what can I do to troubleshoot this thing? More importantly, is it worth the risk (and cash outlay) to replace the solenoid pack before I start investigating where I can get a rebuilt tranny? Finally, is there any way, once I do any work on it, to get the TCM to go into training mode without a DRB? Or maybe since the system doesn't stay in Limp, I have something squirrelly with the TCM that is keeping it forever in training?
Any help you guys could provide would be VERY welcome. We're surviving on a shoestring right now, so spending lots of $$ is not an option. If the tranny is in need of a rebuild/replacement, I may have to opt for giving up the van. I'd rather not do that - she's been too good to us for far too long.