Caravan transmission question

Hi,



I am looking to buy a Dodge Caravan about 97-99. I heard that the
transmission is very expensive part and don't want to be surprised after
purchasing. So my question is what is the average life time for an elect
trans on dodge caravan? Is there any way to test trans by a mechanic to make
sure there is no problem with it?



I actually have the same question about engine and any advice gratefully
appreciated.



Rob

 

I have a '95 GC and a 99 T&C and neither of these vehicles has ever had a
transmission problem.

My only advice would be to make sure that maintenance has been done on any
vehicle that you decide to purchase.

Brigitte

 

Well, I have a 96, but it is the same design as the 97-99s. My Grand
Voyager has 161,500 miles on the original transmission with nothing
beyond oil and filter changes every 30,000 miles or thereabouts.

My 3.3 is almost entirely original. The internals are original, but it
has had the water pump, idler pulley and starter replaced. Otherwise,
just normal maintenance items (plugs, wires, filters, etc.).


Matt

 

We have right at 160,000 mi. on our 96 Grand Voyager w/3.3. No trans
problems to date. Fluid and filter change at 100K and 150K. The engine
has needed a water pump. Just changed the timing chain, and it was
ready. Have replaced the starter and alternator as preventive measures.
Other than that, just normal plugs/wires/belts/hoses/filters stuff. It
did crash a fuel pump at about 130K.

Steve

 

Try to make sure you can get a service history on the vehicle. Also
hopefully it's only had mopar +3 or +4 fluid and oem filters otherwise it
would be something to be wary of. Yes the technician can run a diagnostic on
the trans. Not a guarantee but it is good to know the cvi's etc. Finally buy
only a 3.3 or 3.8 stay away from a 3.0 or 4 banger. Not worth the
aggravation.
Larry

 

The first one almost certainly had a minor problem (input or output speed
sensor, most likely), but it was swapped for a "remanufactured" piece of
trash, which quickly failed and was swapped for another "remanufactured"
piece of trash, which quickly failed and was swapped for another
"remanufactured" piece of trash. That's normally what causes this kind of
pattern.

 

Rob,
I've had 5 transmissions in my '97, all installed by the same shop over a 2
year period. They kept installing a rebuilt trans and filling it with the
wrong fluid. The replacements would last anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.
Finally a sit-down with the manager, owner and my lawyer resulted in a
replacement that seems OK.

They have a horrible reputation but I'm willing to bet 99% is fluid related
problems.

HTH,
Jon

 

And the sad part is he went back to the same bad repair shop four times
in a row...


Matt

 

That's mistakes number two and three.

Mistake number one was your choice of shop.

 

I had a 93 T & C that went through four transmissions in 125,000
miles. I have a 99 T & C that is approaching 115,000 miles with no
problems. Maybe they engineering changed all those problems out of
that tranny.

 

True, but it came highly recommended. It still might be the best shop in the
area.

Jon

 

Rob,
Our '98 made it to 74,000 miles when the tranny gave up and the tranny was
serviced at or before reccomendations. My neighbor has had three trannys in
his Caravan by 125,000 miles, now has 230,000 and drives daily. Research the
web and you will find lots of unhappy tranny people. Although we replaced
the tranny we have not had any other issues with our van. This van has well
over 100K and knock on wood not a single issue except maintenance.
Interesting thing is we have never replaced a bulb of any kind on this van.
Not sure if thats the norm but all my other vechicles blow bulbs here and
there. The van has stood up well, kid tested. This van has payed for itself
over and over, even with the tranny failure.

ChickenFoot

 

Alternator must be putting out low voltage. 8^)

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
adddress with the letter 'x')

 

On my 1988 New Yorker, which I sold last summer, the only bulbs I ever
changed were the cornering lamps and third brake lamp - and a few that
were damaged when the wife, and then the youngest daughter, cracked up
the front end. Still had the original plastic-bodied Wagner?
headlamps.

 

Well my luck the alternator will have a big spike and blow all the bulbs
since I made that statement.;-)

Chicken foot

 

But if they make a mistake, then that's not too good.
I once tried to explain to a couple of fairly good transmission shops
how the Voyager tranny needs a firmware upgrade for its
electronically controlled clutch to keep the torque convertor
from self-destructing.

I once went to the best surgeon in the world but he screwed up.
So for me, he was the worst surgeon in the world personally.
I think my car just might outlive me, so you can't always
go by reputation.

The dealers knew exactly what I meant and had the special
cables to do the upgrade. The regular cables would not work
since the van was about 10 years old. It was also about money.
Worth it to buy the special equipment to do the upgrades?
And to hassle with Chrysler for the firmware upgrades themselves?

Now a super good mechanic said any tranny guy worth his salt
should know about this.

But the ones I talked to seemed to think I was just a jerk customer,
which I might be , but I was right about the tranny.

Found a super dealer, got the upgrade, the right fluid, and that
tranny shifts like a Porche worth 100 times as much. That's an
exaggeration, around 70 times as much.

 

It only affects the passenger seat. It was a factory order...and who would
check the passenger seat....Driver seat was perfect.
Vehicle is great, otherwise

 

I don't follow. You have a transmission for your passenger seat? Did you turn your Caravan into a
jet plane and have ejection installed