’89 Caravan missing 4th gear

Oct 04, 2005 0 Replies

?89 Grand Caravan, 3.0, 171,185 miles, already on 3rd transmission.



The van is a wonder, and in fantastic shape, body?s great, motor spins like a top.



Trans lost 4th gear, and sometimes doesn?t want to go into 3rd.



If driven CAREFULLY and GENTLY, I get 3rd gear... otherwise no.



Last trans from a junkyard (I got stuck on a Saturday nite and had no choice, 1000 miles from home)



It failed after about 4000 miles.



GREAT local repair shop said I needed a new battery (not enough voltage to one of the sensors) and a new sensor... $200 and Monday morning, I got the van back.



Fast foreward 2 years and only 10,000 miles later, and the van is still in great shape, motor is a CHAMP, and the trans won?t shift into



4th...

Worse still, with a heavy foot, 3rd gear is gone...



When I get up to about 35 MPH, the engine will surge 3 times (kicking DOWN into 2nd, because of the trans), and then stay in 3rd.



Top speed is about 45, unless I can find a hill (down, that is!).



I am not a mechanic, but I am a "parts-changer"... If I know how to fix it, I can fix it.



I?ve read about "sensor packs", ATF+3 or +4, and band adjustments...



I need a good clue so I can keep my beloved Grand Caravan on the road.



Any help would be GREATLY appreciated...



TIA!


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