Transmission Question

I have a 1996 Plymouth Breeze it has about 75,000 , Sometimes when
I start the car up in the morning, and also if I had to do a sudden
quick stop... the car will act like it is in neutral, and just sit
there to I give it gas, and then it will give a jerk, and then it
will act normal.. it doesn't do this all the time just some of the
time... as far as I know this car has had only one transmission
fluid and filter change and that about 3 years ago... anybody have
any Idea what the problem could be,,, thanks

 

Since you did not say "And, by the way, I did check the fluid level, and
it was good", I have to ask if you checked the fluid level.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Yes, that was the first thing I checked... the fluid level was
fine...

 

Then perhaps it is ready for another fluid/filter change. Three years if you
do average mileage (15k year) would be about right based on the schedule.
Keep in mind it may be something else, but hopefully that is all it is. May
want to have a *reliable* shop look at it. Be sure who ever does it uses the
proper ATF+3 fluid.

 

Subject: Transmission Question

Sounds like a restricted filter/ pump losing prime-until u goose the throttle.

 

Nothing wrong with ATF+3 for that, but the "official" recommendation
from Chrysler is ATF+4. But nothing besides those two, period.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

How is the "official" recommendation ATF+4 in a 96 vehicle when ATF+4 was
just recently developed?????

 

Have you checked the fluid level? Sounds like low fluid.

 

PC,
Below is most of the text from Chrysler TSB #21-006-01 dated June 29,
2001. According to some dealers, the unofficial recommendation (i.e.,
not stated in a TSB) is even for ATF+4 in the pre-2000 minivans.

From the TSB:
"MODELS:
1989 - 1995 (AA) Spirit/Acclaim/Lebaron Sedan
1989 - 2002 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon
1989 - 1993 (AC) Dynasty/New Yorker/New Yorker Salon
1989 - 1993 (AD) Ram Truck
1989 - 1994 (AG) Daytona
1989 (AH) Lancer/Lebaron GTS
1989 - 1995 (AJ) Lebaron Coupe/Lebaron Convertible
1989 - 1990 (AK) Aries/Reliant
1989 - 1990 (AL) Horizon/Omni
1989 (AM) Diplomat/Gran Fury/New Yorker Fifth
Avenue
1989 - 2002 (AN) Dakota
1989 - 1994 (AP) Shadow/Sundance
1990 - 1991 (AQ) Maserati
1990 - 1993 (AY) Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue
1994 - 2002 (BR/BE) Ram Truck
1998 - 2002 (DN) Durango
2002 (DR) Ram Truck
1995 - 2000 (FJ) Sebring/Avenger/Talon
2000 (GS) Chrysler Voyager (International
Market)
1995 - 2000 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze
2001 - 2002 (JR) Sebring Sedan & Convertible/Stratus
Sedan
1996 - 2000 (JX) Sebring Convertible
2002 (KJ) Liberty
1993 - 2002 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision/LHS/New
Yorker/300M
1989 - 1992 (MJ) Commanche
2000 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1995 - 2002 (PL) Neon
2002 (PG) PT Cruiser (International Markets)
2001 - 2002 (PT) PT Cruiser
1997 - 2002 (PR) Prowler
2001 - 2002 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International
Markets)
2001 - 2002 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1997 - 2002 (TJ) Wrangler
2001 - 2002 (WG) Grand Cherokee (International
Markets)
1999 - 2002 (WJ) Grand Cherokee
1989 - 1995 (YJ) Wrangler
1996 - 1998 (ZG) Grand Cherokee (International
Markets)
1993 - 1998 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneer

"NOTE :THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS EXCEPT 1999 AND EARLIER MINIVANS.

"DISCUSSION:
"A new transmission fluid (ATF+4(R) - Type 9602) has been developed and
is being used as factory fill for all vehicles with Chrysler automatic
transmissions. Until now, vehicles originally filled with ATF+2 or ATF+3
were to be serviced with ATF+3. Effective immediately, it is recommended
that all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions except for 1999
and earlier minivans be serviced with ATF+4(R). ATF+3 should continue to
be used for 1999 and earlier minivans because of the potential for
torque converter shudder during break in. For all other applications the
ATF+4(R) fluid offers significant benefits as outlined below.

"NOTE :ATF+4(R) MUST ALWAYS BE USED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY
FILLED WITH ATF+4(R).

"NOTE :SERVICE INTERVALS DO NOT CHANGE. THE SERVICE INTERVAL CURRENTLY
IN EFFECT FOR A GIVEN VEHICLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED.

"NOTE :ATF+4(R) IS COMPATIBLE WITH ATF+3 AND CAN BE USED TO TOP OFF
VEHICLES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE ATF+2 OR ATF+3. DO NOT USE ATF+2 OR ATF+3
TO TOP OFF VEHICLES THAT HAVE ATF+4(R) FLUID.

"BENEFITS
^ Better anti-wear properties
^ Improved rust/corrosion prevention
^ Controls oxidation
^ Eliminates deposits
^ Controls friction
^ Retains anti-foaming properties
^ Superior properties for low temperature operation

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

Very useful information.
I wonder why the "EXCEPT 1999 AND EARLIER MINIVANS" statement???
Seems with all its added benefits over the ATF+3 it would be beneficial to
us Minivan owners as well.

 

·
·
·
Grand Cherokee (International

Thanks!

Something about the torque converter lockup clutch having to properly
wear in. But by now they are all pretty much worn in, which is why they
say to use ATF+4 in those too now.

Bill Putney
(to reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with "x")

 

PC Medic wrote:

Chrysler, in a 1998 TSB, has recommended the use of ATF+4 to supercede
ATF+3, just as it did for ATF+3 to supercede prior fluids under
Specification 7173.

-GP