1998 Dodge Caravan Transmission Slips

1998 DODGE CARAVAN
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HCHNSNS
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This vehicle has been a pain since we bought it, we just replaced another transmission thisone has about 20K, today I put the van in reverse and nothing, I thought I was stuck on ice so I gave it a little gas and clunk and bang and then the van started to shutter backwards. Now when it is in drive it really has to push to move forward. No trans fluid leaking. Help...
Feb 27, 2007 at 12:33 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Yeah, those had there share of bad transmissions, filters and the right fluid should be changed every 15,000 miles.


Sounds like a selonoid was sticking and then unstuck while it was in the higher RPM area. May have damaged gears inside the transmisison.
Feb 27, 2007 at 8:51 PM
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HCHNSNS
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So I called our mechanic he is on vaca for two weeks - fluid is low and the van wont move forward or back - should I change the fluid and filter or wait for him to return??
Feb 28, 2007 at 3:12 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Fill the fluid definitley!!! I assumed you checked it. Use either valvoline max 3 or mopar atf+ 4
Feb 28, 2007 at 10:20 AM
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HCHNSNS
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So we added fluid almost 3 quarts, know the vehicle moves forard still alittle sluggish, when reverse wants to work it does - should we drive to get the fluids moving thru or do you think that might damage anything more?
Mar 1, 2007 at 4:25 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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My guess is the low fluid burned up the tranny internally.
Mar 1, 2007 at 9:53 AM

Suggested Repair

Fill the transmission with the correct fluid (Valvoline MaxLife or Mopar ATF+4) and have it inspected. Low fluid may have overheated and damaged the transmission internally, including a sticking solenoid or gears; avoid driving it until a mechanic checks it.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Dodge Caravan with about 150,000 miles and a recently replaced transmission clunked in reverse, shuddered, and then moved poorly in drive with no visible leak. The owner later found the fluid very low and the van would not move. After adding nearly three quarts it moved forward sluggishly and reverse was intermittent. The expert said these transmissions need the correct fluid and filter service about every 15,000 miles, advised filling it with Valvoline MaxLife or Mopar ATF+4, and suspected low fluid had burned the transmission internally.

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