1997 Plymouth Van with Engine Check for Xmission

My mechanic says I have to check engine codes regarding my xmission. One has something to do with a clutch, and I misplaced the other. Maybe I'll find the note in the morning. Anyway, Wouldn't such messages be specific to some part of the xmission? That is, one would expect to be able to repair the "clutch" without replacing the entire xmission?

Reply to
solarblast
Loading thread data ...

Your mechanic is an idiot. There are engine codes and there are transmission codes. There are no engine codes regarding the transmission.

That is so helpful.

When you're sober?

Haven't seen one yet that wasn't.

Without context, it is impossible to say what one is able to do.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

The display seen when you begin to turn on the ignition is labeled the Check Engine Now. If a mechanic reads out codes from the computer, it can show engine and transmission codes, right? If a code relates to the xmission clutch, wouldn't that indicate that some part of the assembly, the clutch, and not the entire assembly needs work, or worse, replacement? I ask this because general mechanics seem to think this spells the demise of the xmission, when it seems like a specialist might say that it just needs a new clutch. Got it?

...

Reply to
solarblast

Oh I got it.

What you're not understanding is that the clutch is internal to the transmission assembly and very likely getting to it involves disassembling the entire transmission.

If the mechanic only does a partial repair is you're inferring, how close are you going to hold his feet to the fire should another problem crop up in the weeks/months following him delivering it back to you?

There's a saying in the auto repair business; "no good deed goes unpunished."

As far as work versus replacement, you've got a 13 year old vehicle, it may make more sense to replace the entire transmission with a used unit rather than disassemble what you have. Odds are, that transmission has had numerous updates and TSBs in the last 13 years, the mechanics quandary then is whether to implement all of those updates which can no doubt put the cost of the transmission repair well above what might be practical for a vehicle of that age.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

TSB? Technical Service Bulletin. I have no intention of holding his feet to the fire if something else goes wrong. The other code was simply transmission problem, which probably goes part and parcel with the other msg, and has little further meaning.

I talked with a xmission shop this morning, and the difference between the Plymouth shop or my shop is they are 2/3 the cost of either of them. If I got this right, he said the clutch problem work is separate from a tranny replacement. It seems mostly (cost) about solenoids.

I'm going to sell the van but with full disclosure of the problem. If it doesn't sell, I'll drive it to tell it drops. That may save my other cars lots of miles.

Reply to
solarblast

You should get the specific code numbers and post them here. Could be something easy. Sometimes when one thing goes out it can cause a couple of codes because other things don't respond the way the computer expects.

You will be hard pressed to find anyone that will fix one particular internal transmission problem. All the cost is in the labor to remove and disassemble then reassemble and reinstall. They don't want to risk taking it apart and having another wear part go out ten miles later.

If you decide to fix it I wouldn't have a general mechanic doing the work. Find a dang god transmission shop that is knowledgeable of Chrysler products.

Steve B.

Reply to
Steve B.

I thought I responded to this. I'll be brief. OP 740 converter clutch system problem OP700 transmission fault Is 700 really different from 740? That is, is 740 transmission. I'll skip this time what I wrote about the engine cutting off. Maybe it did make the phantom post.

Reply to
solarblast

P0700 indicates an internal transmission controller fault. The repair procedure is short and sweet... Replace the TCM.

The P0700 should be dealt with first before the P0740 code is addressed. If the P0740 returns after the TCM is replaced, your mechanic should follow the trouble shooting steps in diagnostic chart 38. This requires a suitable pressure gauge and a capable scan tool.

Reply to
aarcuda69062

Huh! You sure about that? I thought the meanings of the codes were common across the platforms. 0700 means "Check Transmission DTC?s", and I know with LH cars means simply that in fact you do need to check for codes within the TCM for more specific transmission-related codes. It is not necessarily an indication of a problem with the TCM itself. For example: If a speed sensor goes out, you get the 0700 code, so you get the codes from the TCM, and those codes will be specific to speed ratio errors.

0740: "Torque Converter Clutch Control Circuit; Slippage > 100 RPM for 10 seconds in FEMCC or RPM/input speed difference > 60 RPM in EMCC."
Reply to
Bill Putney

What is a TCM? Transmission Control Module, computer? We haven't had a whole lot of good luck with other module replacements. They are costly, and the only ones available seem to be used. This is a 1997 Plymouth Minivan. Once the dealer replaced the wrong module. As mentioned above, I'm trying to sell this, and I don't want to turn this into a disaster for the buyer or me. My estimate above for a replacement of the tranny was $2400. If that's the solution, I'll sell the van for around at a much lowered price as is with the caveat the buyer accepts that potential problem. The tranny makes no noises or acts weirdly presently. It just show those two codes.

In the missing message that I thought I posted back 3 or so msgs, I noted the engine stopped twice Friday while I was driving it. When I safely pulled off the road, I got it started immediately. I don't think that has anything to do with the tranny. I'm not driving it until I can take it to a mechanic tomorrow. This could be dangerous.

That's something of a bigger problem. If I can't sell it, I planned to drive it until it gave out. If I can get 3K or so miles, that means my regular car is spared the same amount of miles.

Reply to
solarblast

No, but that is what MOD states it to be. Wouldn't be the first time they were wrong...

Reply to
aarcuda69062

MOD? If that's me, then I'm looking at what the mechanic wrote.

Reply to
solarblast

MOD = Mitchell On Demand (repair manual software)

Reply to
aarcuda69062

Where can I find a view of the engine comparment, so that I can find the fuel and air filters?

Reply to
solarblast

Where can I find a view of the engine comparment, so that I can find the fuel and air filters?

Look for the big air duct going to the top of the engine, the other end of this goes to the air filter

You don't need to replace the fuel filter and it's almost certainly not in the engine compartment, but rather under the van.

You can get a wrecking yard TCM from the same make and model and engine size vehicle, try swapping it out. You also can try cleaning the contacts of the plug going to the TCM and the selonoid pack on the transmission.

Almost certainly your van is worth less than $300 on the used market. You might look into a trade-in through the cash-for-clunkers program if you live in the US. As long as the check engine light isn't on when you trade the van in, you can get the voucher for the program.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Mittelstaedt

Sorry, that question will require a new thread.

Reply to
cavedweller

As it turns out, late today I found the our local library has access to Chiltons on-line. My neighbor and I got the air filter out. Mostly we got dirty, but the filter was in pretty decent shape. My neighbor and I cleaned up the corrosion on the battery, and did some other tidying. We then took it for a test run over the same terrain as the stalls had occurred. He carefully watched the tac, and I tried some manuvers, sudden stops and others. Nothing. I called my mechanic about this and he said sometimes these things are caused by the air injection controller. They often get stuck and then suddenly the problem disappears. He also said what I'm experiencing is life with an older car.

No thanks on the TCM swap out. Cleaning the plug is worth a shot.

Forget vouchers here in Calif. The state has suspended the program. The check light has gone out.

I think the van is worth well above $300. In the next two weeks, I plan to put 1000 miles on it. The van is in really good shape otherwise. If I can't sell it, I'll drive it instead of my car and save some miles and wear on that.

Reply to
solarblast

I'm not talking about the CA program I'm talking about the federal government program:

formatting link

which will commence in 3 days.

You said you intended to disclose to potential buyers that it had tranny problems - that is what makes it only worth about $300

if the CEL light is not on, and you don't disclose that there's problems then that's a little different - BUT keep in mind the TCM stores the trouble codes for some time even if the CEL is not on. Anyone who takes the van to a garage and gets it scanned will be told that there's stored trouble codes, and will know theres a problem with the trans.

Bottom line is that if a buyer thinks there's transmission trouble then it's not going to go for more than $300.

I know you think your van is probably close to blue book but right now the used market is flooded with large gas hog vehicles. minivans are in this category and if you list your vehicle at blue book your going to be competing against all those other guys out there with vans and right now there's more of them than there are of buyers. And in another month when the 2010 model year is out, there will be even more used vans.

That would be the smart thing IMHO.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Mittelstaedt

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.