Strange Problem with 1999 Town & Country

Output speed sensor, most likely. It tells the computer AND the speedometer how fast the vehicle's moving, and this info is relied upon to shift the gears. Get it in to a competent transmission diagnostician (not the dealer, and not Scaamco) NOW. The longer you drive the vehicle in "limp home" (permanent 2nd gear) mode, the more damage you'll do.

Thanks for the info. It really starts to make sense. I drove home in "limp mode" about eight miles at about 30 miles/hr. I'm wondering how to take it for diagnostics and repairs - would driving another 5 to 15 miles at slow speed be a bad idea? Also could you recommend

IP.

Thanks for the info. It really makes sense now. Do you think driving additional 5 to 15 miles at low speed to take it for repairs would be a bad idea?

IP.

No. Just don't keep using the van as though nothing were the matter with it. THAT is probably the single biggest factor in the high complaint rate with this transmission, is that when a fault develops, the transmission doesn't stop working. If it did, the damage would get no larger. Because it has this "limp home" mode, many people just keep on drivin' till they notice something's weird, then they keep on drivin' till they get around to thinking about making an appointment to have it looked at, then they cancel the appointment 'cause otherwise how are Billy and Suzie going to get to karate practice, then they keep on drivin' till they make another appointment, etc. Meanwhile, the transmission is under grossly extreme internal stress and the failure grows in extent and expense to fix.

DS

The output speed sensor is dead or disconnected. That sensor drives the speedometer and odometer, but it also is used by the transmission controller. Without that signal, the tranny controller sets a fault and goes into "limp" mode.

As long as you don't over-rev the engine, no harm will be done by driving in "limp" mode. What kills these transmissions is when there is a genuine fault and the driver keeps shutting off the car to force it back into "normal" mode every time it goes to "limp" mode to protect itself.

Thanks for your help. It really looks clear now and explains this strange behavior of the wan. Other respondents also agree that this is output speed sensor. One additional question: is this part easy for a lay person to replace? And also: a friend of mine mentioned that some of this auto parts have manufacturer warranty, which sometimes covers quite a number of years. Is it worthwhile checking that this one has such a warranty? The car is 1999 T&C.

Thanks again,

It's only about a $20-30 part - not worth worrying with warranty even if it was covered. 20 minutest to replace.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')

Dealer - anywhere from $20 to 30 depending on dealer gouge factor. I think some auto parts chains (Pep Boys, NAPA?) carry it - you might save $5 from shopping the dealers.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')

Your friend is confused. Only emission control parts are covered by extended warranties like this.

DS

Thanks. I need to learn more about these things. IP.