2001 Chrysler Town and Country Slight oil leak

Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Since replacing transmission oil and filter have had small amount of leakage. Bolts on transmiission pan are tight. What must I do to stop leakage? Thanks
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 11:49 AM

27 Replies

Tiny
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Is the leak at the trans pan? Did you pean the pan bolt holes before replacing the gasket? Are you sure you didn't over tighten the bolts?
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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Did not pean the transmission pan bolt holes; used torque wrench to tighen bolts to specs. Thanks for response.
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Monday, July 19th, 2010 AT 5:24 AM
Tiny
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It sounds funny, but when the bolts are tightened, they dimple the bolt holes toward the trans. Then when you replace the gasket, that dimple will cut into the gasket and actually stop the pan from sealing. I always take a ball-pean hammar and tap them back flat before replacing the gasket.

Just an after thought. Keep in mind the trans control module (TCM) is right above the pan on the front of the transmission. They can leak and drip down onto the pan making it appear the pan is leaking. Check that too.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
PS: If you replace the gasket again, I strongly recommend using a composite gasket and not a full rubber or cork gasket. They slip and pinch too easily and always seem to leak.
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Monday, July 19th, 2010 AT 11:43 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Thank you so much for the additional information, Joe. I also have a 1999 Dodge Van that has ABS on the rear. When I get to about 40 MPH, the brake light and ABS light come on. I checked for leaks and there are none. I also replaced the sensor on top of the rear axle. The code clears itself when the van is turned off, but always returns. Can you tell me how to fix this one?
Thank you. Pierre
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 5:22 AM
Tiny
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The abs sensor is really nothing more than a magnetic pickup. As the differential turns, it is sensed, creates a current, and sends that signal to the computer. If the current stops (for example locking the rear brakes) the current stops thus sending a signal to the computer to release pressure to the brakes.

In your case, either the signal is being broken or there must be an open loop in the wiring setting the code. Just for the heck of it, remove the sensor and check in the differential to make sure things are clean. Also, check the wiring to the sensor to make sure there is no damage or corrosion.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Hi Joe, I took the sensor out yesterday and looked in the hole using a mirror--I saw gear, nothing really besides that. I did not see any obvious problem with the wiring. The sensor had a light coating of oil on it; I pushed it back in and secured it. Today I drove the van--lights out until about 37 to 40 mph, then they both came on.

I also noticed that the cruise control doesn't come on when the brake light and ABS lights are on.

Thoughts? Thanks. Pierre
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
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What I need you to do is have the computer scanned to see what codes are coming up. Many parts stores will do it for free.

Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 AT 11:30 PM
Tiny
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I went to the local Autozone then the Discount Auto Parts. Neither have a scanner for ABS codes. The man at Discount Auto Parts said he'll try to get hold of one to scan my van tomorrow. I'll let you know. Nothi ng came up on the OBDII scan.

Pierre
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Friday, July 23rd, 2010 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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My friend at Advance Auto Parts borrowed a scanner than includes ABS codes and let me use it. It showed there were no OBD2 codes. When I started the van, drove up to 40 mph and the brake light and ABS light came on, I pressed freeze frame. When I looked at the playback, there was one entry that might be relevant--here is what was on the screen: ABSLT TPS% 12.2

Hope this is helpful. Thanks again, Joe, for trying to help me solve this problem. Pierre
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Sunday, July 25th, 2010 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
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The one refers to fuel trim which is where it should be. I did research on this. In the manual, it reads to run the vehicle to 40MPH to see if the light comes on. If it does, the next step is to retreive the ABS fault code. It is a 2 digit number. Are you sure your friend is going into the ABS set up of the scanner?
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Monday, July 26th, 2010 AT 1:44 AM
Tiny
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I'll talk with him again later today. In the meantime, can you tell me what the possibilities are for the symptoms we have so far? Thanks, Pierre.
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Monday, July 26th, 2010 AT 5:55 AM
Tiny
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The only thing I was able to find was a sensor that watched all the ABS sensors.
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Monday, July 26th, 2010 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Thank you. If you could tell me where the sensor that oversees the other sensors is, maybe I could have it tested or replaced.

My friend's ABS scanner only works on certain years and models of Dodge vehicles and unfortunately my 99 Ram van 1500 isn't on the list. There's a auto hobby shop at the nearby Air Force base. I plan to go there on Friday to see if they have an ABS scanner and can run a scan.

Again, I appreciate your trying to help me. Pierre
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 4:21 AM
Tiny
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I did more research. What I thought was an acronym for a sensor, CAB, only ment where the data link is located. What I did find was a wiring schematic for your system and all the things to check once we get the code. Here is the schematic. I don't know how big it will be for you, but let me know if you have questions.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249084_b_3.jpg



Are you in the Air Force?

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Good morning, Joe. I retired from the U.S. Air Force; I really enjoyed it. Lots of travel and adventure. I have two sons in college who are in Air Force ROTC--one loves it and the other is a little on the fence right now.

Anyways, about the van, I was unable to make out the detail on the wiring diagram you sent--too much definition lost when the web site reduced it to transmit, I guess.

I'm hoping to get the ABS code this week, and will pass on ASAP. Thank you. Pierre
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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 AT 4:41 AM
Tiny
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If you want, I can try to send it to an email. Maybe you could copy and past it to something like the paint program and enlarge it.

Let me know. Also, thank you for your service. We need more people like you. I have so many concerns for our country. I love it but there are too many things changing. It scares me. Like you, I have two sons. They are 10 and 14. I don't even know what direction to point them in. Like your sons, they will continue their educations after high school, but in what fields, I don't know. There are things happening that make me wonder what country we live in. It is much different than it was when I was young.

Sorry about the BS, but it's nice to talk with someone like you. If you enjoyed the Air Force, then like me, you love this country.

Take care of yourself and let me know what you find or if you want me to try to send the schematic a different way.

Joe
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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Good morning, Joe. Good to know a little more about you. You're right; our country is going through so many changes--I think a big part of it is that so many just look at things as "what's in it for me" and can I get it now, instead of looking at what's best for all and is this action I'm contemplating something I would be proud to tell my Mom or my children about.

I'd appreciate it if you could try sending the wiring diagram by email to me at pjoubert@bellsouth. Net
Maybe it will keep enough detail to print out--it was only 11 kilobytes on the web site so not much definition.

Have a great day! Pierre
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 5:57 AM
Tiny
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It should be in your email. . My son said you should be able to open it in your "Paint" program and enlarge it.

Let me know if it works.

Take care,
Joe
PS: You are 100% right. Everyone worries about what is in it for them. Most seem to have the "I want it now" approach to everything. And the rich want to get richer, so they send everything overseas where they can get work done for nearly nothing.
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
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I give up. I am now into 2 hours of writing the same procedures over because my computer now has crashed 2 times and I lost everything I lost. Rather than rewriting everything again, I am going to ask questions.

Have you ever replaced the PCM or Controler Anti-lock Brake (CAB)?

Are the rear tires OEM size or have you changed the original size?

Has the differential ever been replaced?

These are questions that I need answered to see if any of the codes are relevant. Let me know and I will see if anything applies. Also, 81 is just for the brake light switch. The others could deal with the problem.

Let me know. I started this post at 11:45PM and it is now 1:05 AM. I need a new computer (LOL).

Joe
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Friday, July 30th, 2010 AT 12:04 AM
Tiny
PIERRE JOUBERT
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Good morning, Joe. I'm so sorry you've spent so much time working on this problem I'm having. I do appreciate your help. Here's a little background and answers to your questions to help diagnose this thing: I bought the van in Jan 2005; it is a conversion van with the GLAVAL corp package and was very well cared for by the previous (One) owner. I am on second set of tires and have continued using the size that was on the van when I bought it--I've put total of 42K miles and everything has worked beautifully following regular oil and filter changes with following exceptions: AC broke a couple of years ago--too expensive to replace evaporator; replaced master cylinder and R rear wheel cylinder in May 2008; front brake pads in June 2008; output shaft speed sensor in Oct 2009 to clear code PO720. And I think I mentioned before changing the sensor above the differential in June (2010) in hopes it would clear the brake light/ABS light--but it didn't. No PCM/CAB controller change; no differential change; and I'm using same size tires. Sorry this is so long--it's been a great van. Thanks again. Pierre
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Friday, July 30th, 2010 AT 5:28 AM

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