Question:

My 91 ford Explorer did the same thing, turned out to be some simple seal in the tranny, cost 22$ to fix. – 89 Dodge Caravan http://www.geocities.com/almustang96/van.html 169K miles most Hon-dah drives will need NOS to hang with this minivan.

Response:

My neon did the same thing…turned out to be a broken tranny pan gasket. Basically, check the fluid, its prob just low.  After you add, look under the vehicle for any leaks Hope I help

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently >started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems.  Twice >within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when >the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine >revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the >transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom.  Otherwise, >the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: >1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this >is a less serious problem? >2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? >3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost >effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). >4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan >transmission problems/repairs? >TIA, >Mark

www.allpar.com

Response:

Larry, Good point.  Checking what the computer says is always a good thing to try, once the front-yard mechanic has exhausted his tools.  I had mine checked (there goes another $100), and it was reporting "several slip errors" and other non-critical problems.  Of course, mine had MANY more miles… Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Why not have it diagnosed first?! Mine started doing it the other day, got > it to my trusted tech he put a DRB on it, and found the PRNDL switch plug > had come partially off. Plugged it in fully, problem solved. Iasked him how > many trans have been replaced/rebuilt for this kind of problems. His answer > was more than he can count! He said many of these things were replaced > because a shop manager would demand it for a "favored" customer and there > would be no failed parts whatsoever. Also if you haven’t bothered to do a > service on it that might be in order too. > Larry > Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just > recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. > Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice > versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral > (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. > Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility > that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current > trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most > cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

Why not have it diagnosed first?! Mine started doing it the other day, got it to my trusted tech he put a DRB on it, and found the PRNDL switch plug had come partially off. Plugged it in fully, problem solved. Iasked him how many trans have been replaced/rebuilt for this kind of problems. His answer was more than he can count! He said many of these things were replaced because a shop manager would demand it for a "favored" customer and there would be no failed parts whatsoever. Also if you haven’t bothered to do a service on it that might be in order too. Larry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems.  Twice within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom.  Otherwise, the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this is a less serious problem? 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan transmission problems/repairs? TIA, Mark

Response:

Hey Mark, Recently had the same problem on my ‘96 Grand Caravan, and went through all the same questions.  Finally decided, based on talking to many different tranny shops and other folks, to go ahead and spend the $1800 on a rebuild (did the R&R myself).  Mine had 145k, exact same behavior.  The consensus was that it might last another 50k, or die before I left the shop.  No easy fixes on one with many miles. Works great now, and got rid of the driveway leaks, so probably worth it.  I did my research the old fashioned way, with the telephone book and talking to friends. Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems.  Twice within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom.  Otherwise, the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this is a less serious problem? 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan transmission problems/repairs? TIA, Mark

Response:

Hey Mark, Recently had the same problem on my ‘96 Grand Caravan, and went through all the same questions.  Finally decided, based on talking to many different tranny shops and other folks, to go ahead and spend the $1800 on a rebuild (did the R&R myself).  Mine had 145k, exact same behavior.  The consensus was that it might last another 50k, or die before I left the shop.  No easy fixes on one with many miles. Works great now, and got rid of the driveway leaks, so probably worth it.  I did my research the old fashioned way, with the telephone book and talking to friends. Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

Why not have it diagnosed first?! Mine started doing it the other day, got it to my trusted tech he put a DRB on it, and found the PRNDL switch plug had come partially off. Plugged it in fully, problem solved. Iasked him how many trans have been replaced/rebuilt for this kind of problems. His answer was more than he can count! He said many of these things were replaced because a shop manager would demand it for a "favored" customer and there would be no failed parts whatsoever. Also if you haven’t bothered to do a service on it that might be in order too. Larry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently >started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems.  Twice >within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when >the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine >revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the >transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom.  Otherwise, >the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: >1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this >is a less serious problem? >2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? >3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost >effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). >4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan >transmission problems/repairs? >TIA, >Mark

www.allpar.com

Response:

Larry, Good point.  Checking what the computer says is always a good thing to try, once the front-yard mechanic has exhausted his tools.  I had mine checked (there goes another $100), and it was reporting "several slip errors" and other non-critical problems.  Of course, mine had MANY more miles… Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Why not have it diagnosed first?! Mine started doing it the other day, got > it to my trusted tech he put a DRB on it, and found the PRNDL switch plug > had come partially off. Plugged it in fully, problem solved. Iasked him how > many trans have been replaced/rebuilt for this kind of problems. His answer > was more than he can count! He said many of these things were replaced > because a shop manager would demand it for a "favored" customer and there > would be no failed parts whatsoever. Also if you haven’t bothered to do a > service on it that might be in order too. > Larry > Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just > recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. > Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice > versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral > (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. > Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility > that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current > trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most > cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response:

My 91 ford Explorer did the same thing, turned out to be some simple seal in the tranny, cost 22$ to fix. – 89 Dodge Caravan http://www.geocities.com/almustang96/van.html 169K miles most Hon-dah drives will need NOS to hang with this minivan.

Response:

My neon did the same thing…turned out to be a broken tranny pan gasket. Basically, check the fluid, its prob just low.  After you add, look under the vehicle for any leaks Hope I help

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, our ‘97 Grand Voyager is getting close to 100K miles and has just recently > started to exhibit some of the dreaded Chrysler transmission problems. Twice > within the last month, I have shifted from forward to reverse or vice versa when > the car was cold and had it behave as though it were still in neutral (engine > revs, car stays put).  In each case it took about 10 seconds before the > transmission actually engaged.  I understand this is a known symptom. Otherwise, > the transmission works flawlessly.  Questions: > 1. Does this mean a transmission rebuild soon or is there a possibility that this > is a less serious problem? > 2. Or at this point is there a way to extend the life of the current trans? > 3. If I’m looking at major repair, any suggestions how to get it done most cost > effectively (I’ve seen folks talking about $1700 for a tranny rebuild). > 4. Can anyone point me to web resources for more info on Chrysler minivan > transmission problems/repairs? > TIA, > Mark

Response: