Hello,
Hello,
I picked up a Dodge stratus (95) with 75,000 miles. I put about 5-6k on it. Then one day (a very warm day) on the way home from work (40 mile commute) as i was nearing the house it shifted into what I thought may be limp mode at about 45-50mph. The car nose dived and started compression breaking after what felt like an inital total loss of power. I took it the las mile home and tried it after it cooled down, it went into limp after it warmed back up. So I took it to the dealership. They told me the Input and output speed sensors were bad and needed replacing as well as the Throttle Position Sensor. Not having the $500+ they wanted to do it I took the car home and replaced the input and outpust speed sensors myself.
I drove the car and all seemed fine, so I took it to work the following day. On the way to work I was on the freeway and it was doing fine about 65mph. Then it dropped into limp. I was able to get the car the remainder of the way to work in limp. At lunch time the car did fine, no problems. However after work it would not go into 2nd gear so an expensive tow home.
I then called a local chain tranny shop, they said they could rebuild the trans for about $1800, I had the car towed over and the problems began. By thursday they said the car was ready. I asked if they test drove it and they stated yes. I paid for the repair and left with the car, and made it about 3 blocks before it went into limp. I took it back.
To make a long story short; They rebuilt the thranny for $1800 It still goes into limp when it reaches a hot operating temp. They say the dropping into limp has again fried the 2nd gear clutches. The have also replaced the shit solenoid and both input and output speed sensors as I had. They remain convinced of it being wiring, I'm not sure because it seems heat related. The TCM sometime over the life of the car has been replaced with a remanuf moapr unit.
After a brief wiat for their diagnostic computer he hooked it up, had some problems getting any readings and finally got code 54 out of it. Well they had just put new speed sensors in it and so had I before them!!!!
So he left the diag computer hooked up and took it for a ride. He cam back 15 mins later, pulled in and hollered for his partner to come take a ride. He "had never seen anything act like this before".
They took it out after resetting the codes and about 35 mins later came back. He said it was the damnedst thing, that what was happening wasnt exactly limp mode. But more like a flat out stall and then a drop into limp mode. Which pretty much describes it. To me it feels like your crusing along at say 65, then all of the sudden the car nose dives, has no power, and after about 1-3 seconds the RPMs kick way up as the transmission catches its downshift. So to me its like coast starting a car on a hill get coasting at a good speed and pop the clutch.
They say the abuse it got test driving has fried the new clutches they just put in it so it will need another rebuild(under warranty). But they have no idea what the problem could be. They have now replaced the solenoid pack and that didnt help. The TCM on the car is not the factory one but a mopar reconditioned unit so I know that the previous car owner had replaced that at least once too. They are currently convinced that wiring is an issue and are trying to find the problem now that they have a schematic. I've suggested they replace the TCM and despite the fact I am willing to pay for the part they dont want me to have to pay for that if it isnt the problem. I'm at a loss, my wife wants me to dispute the charge with my credit card company and try to get the car back and take it elsewhere but in light of the problems I'm not sure anyone else would have any better luck. Are there any suggestions you have? Some insight?
Help!