Why does my transmission keep getting stuck in "limp-in" mode?

Tiny
SH0WTYM3
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHRYSLER 300
  • 111,304 MILES
2003 Chrysler 300M
3.5L V6 engine
111304 miles

Hey everyone,

When I first start to drive my car its fine, but often when I decelerate (especially when decelerating fast or going up an incline) the engine will jerk and then remain in 2nd gear until I turn it off and back on again. I read online that this is called "limp-in" mode, and is a safety feature when something is going wrong. However when I drive the car in "autostick" mode, this doesn't happen nearly as often.

I took the car to my local dealership and they said they didn't know what the problem was, and they said they needed to take the transmission apart ("transmission overhaul") to find out what parts are needed. This will cost me $1,682.69 which I don't have, plus the cost of labor and whatever part needs to be replaced. Then below that quote they wrote "this does not include R&R complete transmission assembly fee - $3524", which I'm guessing means they are going to charge me another arm and leg to put it back together!

Do I really need a transmission overhaul? Is there some cheaper alternatives I can try to fix it? Here are the error codes along with the notes the technician wrote down:

P0562 - "Low battery"
P0952 - "Auto stick input circuit low"
P0731 - "Gear ratio error in 1st"
P1790 - "Fault immediately after shift"
P0841 - "LR pressure switch sense circuit"
P0871 - "Overdrive pressure switch sense circuit"
P1776 - "Solenoid switch valve located in LR position"

Any help would be much appreciated!
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 1:44 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
DJCL
  • MECHANIC
  • 767 POSTS
ITS MIGHT BE AS SIMPLE AS A BAD SOLINOID. I WOULD RECOMEND TAKING IT TO A GOOD TRANSMISSION SHOP TO SEE IF THAT CAN RUN SOME TEST ON IT AND CHECK SOME DATA ON A SCAN TOOL
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 1:52 AM
Tiny
MEGAN_MAE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Did you ever get it fixed? I'm having the same problem now with the same car.
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Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
WORLDEXPLORERPL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Anyone fixed it? I have the same problem with my 300M Special 2002y. If I drive slowly max 50-60km/h 30-35mph everything is OK but if I drive faster some times light check engine and P1776 fail saved. Next wen I decrease speed to 25mph my transaxle going to limp-in mode and lock in second. For now I change only in/out speed sensor but not fixed. Next I think about selenoid pack.
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Monday, June 9th, 2014 AT 6:51 AM

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