Programbo

Just a quick general transmission question. If a transmisson has a bad gasket leak (Leaves a big puddle when it's parked) could that by itself cause the transmission to not shift into the highest gear properly? I was thinking maybe the leak is cuasing pressure to escape and it not work right? I'm hoping for a quick easy solution to his problems before worrying about other worse things. It seems to work ok in the city and shift at lower speeds but the faster you go where it needs to shift to the higher gears it just won't go and it has a bad gasket leak. I will mess with that tomorrow if I can. Thanks

Programbo

Quick follow up. I was just outside looking at it and the fluid is coming out of a crack in the cooler line where the hose clamp goes around it. Would the loss of pressure from this line be enough it might not have enough to shift all the way up? Thanks

go-part

That could be the cause of one of your problems. You still need to eliminate that leak in the transmission before you cause any serious damage.

outlawcherokee

low fluid can cause shift issues. If it's leaking bad enough to create lack of pressure your pry gonna run out of fluid faster than you could fill it.
Best answer is fix the leak, top it off and hope for the best that damage hasn't been done.

Programbo

Well I fixed the hose and stopped the leak but it still won't shift to the highest gears. I guess he'll have to stay on roads below 40 MPH. LOL

andrewmp6

The caravans are known for having crappy trans in them,If its got over 130k on it its shot i bet.

diskman

The MAIN problem with the craptastic A604 tranny in the Chrysler minivans is that once they leak, people put the WRONG fluid in em. They ALL take Mopar ATF+4. Dex/Merc will kill a Mopar A604 in short time.

Scheduled maint is the KEY to making the A604 last a long time. I have a '90 Grand Caravan with a 3.3 and the A604. Original tranny made it to 100K with 0(zero) maint. My replacement tranny is at 250K now and works great (350K on motor). Previous owner NEVER changed fluid/filter (I purchased the van from my employer in 2004. They bought it new in 91). I change it EVERY 15K miles.

Unless you have the 3.1 V6. That has a modified TF904. Not as craptastic as the A604.

hbracing13

Its either going to be your output, input or solenoid pack. Either the output or input Is not detecting the and not allowing the solenoid the lock up.
I was dealing with the sane issue for about 3months sometimes it would work fine and not throw a code, others it would do it right away. One way to fine out right away if it going to work or not. Once you out it it either drive or reverse you should be able to hear the solenoid making noisr for like 3 second maybe and a smooth shift into reverse or drive, if it jerks the pack it starting to go. Its easy to replace too and might as well replace the output and input sensors.