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.
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.).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.