A friend has a 1996 T&C with the 3.8l engine.
On damp or rainy days, the transmission suddenly kicks down into second, even if the vehicle is going at a high rate of speed - awkward on the highway. From the technical literature that I've read, it seems like it's going into the limp home mode.
From the wiring diagram in a similar year tech manual, there are quite a few sensors and/or connections that can activate the kickdown relay.
We took the van to a local Chrysler dealership and they insisted that the problem was caused by a bad alternator. The only thing wrong with that alternator (which I already knew) was minor bearing wear. I insisted that replacing it wouldn't help the transmission problem. They insisted that since I was not a "factory trained tech", I didn't know what I was talking about.
My friend paid to have the alternator replaced and of course it didn't help. One week later in the rain, the transmission kicked down again at 65 MPH. On dry days, all is perfect.
I asked the dealer service manager if they had scanned the error codes and he replied saying "we did was was required".
Needly to say that my friend and are are disgusted with the dealership.
I've pulled apart and cleaned with electronic contact cleaner all connectors to the power control module, pulled all relays and fuses, the PCM, visible sensor connections, etc to no avail.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Doug