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Limp mode

Tiny
JEFF VINCENT
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
I have a dodge Grand caravan with a v6 3.3l. My transmission get stuck in limp mode (2nd gear)and after 10 minute of driving when the engine and the tranny get warm, I turn off the engine and turn it on and the problem is gone. I did the check engine test and I had codes 12 and 55 which is normal I believe. I disconnected the battery to do a reset and I also tried to turn the key on and of 4 times and it doesn't work. Its stuck in limp mode only when the tranny and the engine is cold. Transmission fluid have been replaced 5 months ago (ATF+3) and looks good.

My fuses looks all right and also the wires so I think I should go to the dealership to get the actual ¨P codes ¨ or should I just change the speed sensors (in and out) and see if that work.

Someone can help me on that?
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Thursday, April 29th, 2010 AT 6:04 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Yes I would do the input shaft sensor first that is what usually goes out. Here is the location and instructions on how to change it. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, August 18th, 2017 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
TJW777
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 202,000 MILES
Where on the tranny are the input and output sensors located on the tranny. It's locked in limp mode and the speedometer quit. Thanks
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
Both input and output speedsensors are located on the left side of the transaxle. The input speed sensor senses the turbine input by torque converter revolutions(slots on converter housing). The output sensor is mounted in-line behind the input sensor and senses the output shaft by the rear planetary carrier gear tabs. The same gear tabs are used to apply the park pawl, and thus lock the output shaft, preventing movement of the vehicle.
If you open the hood, the are located midway in-line on thr trans. One has course threads and the other has fine threads so they can't be mixed up. Same size wrench is used. Watch for bad connectors on these sensors.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CH112063
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,320 POSTS
The input sensor is just below the cooler lines on the transmission to sense the spinning input clutch retainer thus sensing the input shaft. 12 inches back is the output sensor. Ok I am tired.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTY1974
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 20,000 MILES
Our 1996 Caravan is stuck in limp home mode. It will not come out of second gear. We tried dropping the pan and changing the trans fluid and filter. This did not fix the problem. What should we do next.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Is your check or service engine light on? If it is have codes pulled. Does the speedometer work?

It is possible the either the Vehicle Input Speed Sensor is Bad or the Output Speed Sensor or maybe even both. They are very inexpensive so I would change them first.

If that doesn't fix it, it may be the TCM (Transmission Control Module)

It is also very possible the tranny is in need of a rebuild.

Post your response here.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PDPFISHIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I ran low on fluid and It suddenly went into what I have learned is "Limp Mode" shifts easy into second and won't go into 3rd. I discovered the problem was the pan gasket was real loose so I replaced it and (the filter as well) tried to reset the computer. How do I get it off of Limp Mode?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Did you mean to type "A604"? That's the transmission used with the V-6 engines. To get it out of "Limp-in" mode, turn the ignition switch off and back on. Proof it's out of limp-in is that it starts out in first gear. If it starts out in second gear, a problem has already been detected. Suspect a sensor or a problem with what the sensors monitor. If it switches to second gear after it's moving, a problem occurred related to the gear it just shifted to or from, typically clutch plates or assemblies.

Caradiodoc
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TORCHIE777
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
Tranny rebuilt at 135K (7 mos ago) If I idle in park after driving (say at a bank drive up) when I put it back in drive it stays in limp mode. If I shut off engine and restart I am fine. No check engine lights and no fluid leaks. I may have a leak in teh tranny cooling system as I have recently noticed annt freeze puddles. Thios happened after the limp mode issue started
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Graphic9_33.jpg



Check tranny fluid and make sure it full and clean
need to check for tranny codes
suspect speed sensor and or tranny solenoid pack
good luck
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
C. HOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 170,000 MILES
96 dodge caravan 3.3 eng. 4spd auto. Trans goes to limp mode when "hot" after about 20 miles of driving. Sooner city driving. Replaced main trans computer and 2 speed sensors. What did I miss?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
What trouble codes are you getting?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
C. HOWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No trouble code available
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
When there is an electrical failure or internal issue, it will go into limp mode and stay there till it is turned off. When you re start it, it will operate normally till the fault comes back.

You need someone familiar with the 604 trans to diag the fault and give you a bid. In most cases, it is internal and may need to come out and re built.

Roy
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BBBARR66
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 190,000 MILES
1996 caravan in limp mode but also slipping really bad. I changed the tranny fluid and it shifted fine for 3 miles turned it off, got back in limp mode with slippage. How to troubleshoot the tranny problems I changed tranny fluid and it smelled burnt, put dexron/mercon fluid in wrong kind so I put atf 4 after draining bad stuff it drove fine for 3 miles turned it off got back in and straight to limp mode but now it slipping really bad. Also the tranny is a little over filled. What cuold be the problem what should I try 1st
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Take it to a trans shop, if it was burnt before you changed the fluid then teh trans is toast and needs to be rebuilt
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)

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