Question:

I don’t think things have changed much at Chrysler.  I had a 1999 Caravan. With 5000kms on it, I was headed down the Don Valley Parkway when my transmission grinded into a splatter of metal, smoke and xmission fluid. I managed to coast off the highway, along Richmond street, on to Front and into a Chrysler dealership. I was feeling quite lucky, but basically, my luck had just ended. The dealership provided what I can only describe as astonishingly bad service. They said that it would be 6 days before they could even look at it to determine what the problem was, then several more days to get the parts in. "That’s fine" I said, "just give me a loaner vehicle and I’ll be on my way." The concept of loaner cars seemed new to them. They literally didn’t seem to understand what I meant, never mind accomodating. I had to make several calls to Chrysler Canada before the dealer was willing to provide a rental car. They also lost the key for my van for almost a full day, and had me running around trying to get some number from the original dealer, only to find out all they needed was the VIN number, which of course, they had access to all along. They ended up putting in a new transmission, of course, and never once apologized for selling me a faulty vehicle, the inconvenience or the risk of collision my family and I endured as a result of their faulty workmanship. But the tale of woe doesn’t end there. Shortly after having the transmission repaired, I noticed that the van was developing a clunking sound, during acceleration, especially. At 14,000km, I went to a different dealership to have it repaired. They too tried to get out of providing me with any loaner vehicle, though they said the repairs would take somewhere between 2-5 days. They were very curt when I arrived with the vehicle, and didn’t seem to want to hear any of my predictions about where the noise was coming from. At the end of the first day of them trying by trial and error to determine the source of the noise, I went to the van to retrieve my cell phone, and ended up in conversation with the mechanic. He looked very perplexed and told me he’d removed the starter, the alternator and other items and still couldn’t figure out what was making the noise. I said that I was pretty sure it was the flywheel, as the transmission was destroyed and parts flew everywhere when it came apart. He immediately realized that I was, of course, right, and the rest is history. They lost a full day of labour because they didn’t want to listen to a customer. Now I’m in the market for a new van, and I’m looking for anything but a Chrysler. I wasn’t upset at all that the transmission might blow after so little milage. But Chrysler showed themselves to be dismissive, careless, uncaring and often incompetent. Sincerely, Thom

Response:

I am the original owner of a "quality" 1990 Caravan, 3.0L V-6 with 4-Speed automatic tranny. I think that the tranny was replaced 4 times within the firs 80K miles…I’m not sure, lost count.  At the last tranny replacement, dealer recommended replacing the transmission controller module.  I did.  Now, at 116K miles, tranny is still holding. Chrysler knows it has a pile of junk in the 4-Speed OD tranny.   Pat Keogh Green Bay, WI

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am the original owner of a "quality" 1990 Caravan, 3.0L V-6 with 4-Speed automatic tranny. I think that the tranny was replaced 4 times within the firs 80K miles…I’m not sure, lost count.  At the last tranny replacement, dealer recommended replacing the transmission controller module.  I did.  Now, at 116K miles, tranny is still holding. Chrysler knows it has a pile of junk in the 4-Speed OD tranny.   Pat Keogh Green Bay, WI

I took my 93 Gr. Caravan w/TE-41 (A-604) in for some work and asked that they flash up grade my TCM to the 1995 TSB level.  They told me it wasn’t flashable (the ones with cooling fins are, apparently). Of course, they wanted me to pay for a new tranny and TCM. I declined both. It’s just shifting poorly (sure, it will die), but at 85K, I HEAVILY attribute my continued "success" with my external cooler I mounted 3 years ago, and had towed a 1400+ trailer for 12,000 miles in 9 weeks.  The transfer case started to whine about 400 miles short of the end of the trip, but we haven’t taken it in, and I follow the SEVERE schedule for tranny fluid changes. (every 15,000 miles).   So, a few questions: Can I buy a TCM from 1995 (with the presumably flashed in upgrades) and do the quick learn procedure to adapt to the clutch volume index of my tranny? Any problem with putting that one on and having it flashed?  (I really don’t think there’s much of a difference with the TCM myself.)  I don’t know about the 1996-… What’s a common point of external leakage from the tranny?  Front pump? I’m having drippage, and am trying to figure out where it’s coming from, but don’t want to tear it apart yet.  Any place I should look? —    Justin Masters   (Sr. Cad Engineer – Design Automation)  PH: 916-356-6735    Intel Corp. FM5-94                                      FAX: 916 356-7874

Response:

Has anyone here had more than one ‘failed’ tranny? I have gone through 4 and now about to add #5. The last two were not under warranty. 1990 Gr Voyager 3.3l 4 Speed Auto

  pabyford.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I like the idea and agree w/you 100% specially in my countru the average outdoor temp is 89F. How do i go about selecting and installing? A series hook up w/the existing cooler? A new cooler, any idea as to how to size it? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Has anyone here had more than one ‘failed’ tranny? I have gone through 4 and now about to add #5. The last two were not under warranty.

Got me beat. My ‘89 had the original and two replacements – both under warranty. When I got rid of it with some 100k miles on it (?) the tranny was acting up yet again.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support.

   I put a transmission cooler on a 1993 4-speed van.  It failed at 9,000 miles pulling a 1,300 lb trailer.  They rebuilt it, and I never again pulled anything.  At 115,000, all is well.   An external cooler never hurt any car.

Response:

Has anyone here had more than one ‘failed’ tranny? I have gone through 4 and now about to add #5. The last two were not under warranty. 1990 Gr Voyager 3.3l 4 Speed Auto

  pabyford.vcf

< 1K Download

Response:

There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Has anyone here had more than one ‘failed’ tranny? I have gone through 4 and now about to add #5. The last two were not under warranty.

Got me beat. My ‘89 had the original and two replacements – both under warranty. When I got rid of it with some 100k miles on it (?) the tranny was acting up yet again.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support.

   I put a transmission cooler on a 1993 4-speed van.  It failed at 9,000 miles pulling a 1,300 lb trailer.  They rebuilt it, and I never again pulled anything.  At 115,000, all is well.   An external cooler never hurt any car.

Response:

I am the original owner of a "quality" 1990 Caravan, 3.0L V-6 with 4-Speed automatic tranny. I think that the tranny was replaced 4 times within the firs 80K miles…I’m not sure, lost count.  At the last tranny replacement, dealer recommended replacing the transmission controller module.  I did.  Now, at 116K miles, tranny is still holding. Chrysler knows it has a pile of junk in the 4-Speed OD tranny.   Pat Keogh Green Bay, WI

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am the original owner of a "quality" 1990 Caravan, 3.0L V-6 with 4-Speed automatic tranny. I think that the tranny was replaced 4 times within the firs 80K miles…I’m not sure, lost count.  At the last tranny replacement, dealer recommended replacing the transmission controller module.  I did.  Now, at 116K miles, tranny is still holding. Chrysler knows it has a pile of junk in the 4-Speed OD tranny.   Pat Keogh Green Bay, WI

I took my 93 Gr. Caravan w/TE-41 (A-604) in for some work and asked that they flash up grade my TCM to the 1995 TSB level.  They told me it wasn’t flashable (the ones with cooling fins are, apparently). Of course, they wanted me to pay for a new tranny and TCM. I declined both. It’s just shifting poorly (sure, it will die), but at 85K, I HEAVILY attribute my continued "success" with my external cooler I mounted 3 years ago, and had towed a 1400+ trailer for 12,000 miles in 9 weeks.  The transfer case started to whine about 400 miles short of the end of the trip, but we haven’t taken it in, and I follow the SEVERE schedule for tranny fluid changes. (every 15,000 miles).   So, a few questions: Can I buy a TCM from 1995 (with the presumably flashed in upgrades) and do the quick learn procedure to adapt to the clutch volume index of my tranny? Any problem with putting that one on and having it flashed?  (I really don’t think there’s much of a difference with the TCM myself.)  I don’t know about the 1996-… What’s a common point of external leakage from the tranny?  Front pump? I’m having drippage, and am trying to figure out where it’s coming from, but don’t want to tear it apart yet.  Any place I should look? —    Justin Masters   (Sr. Cad Engineer – Design Automation)  PH: 916-356-6735    Intel Corp. FM5-94                                      FAX: 916 356-7874

Response:

I like the idea and agree w/you 100% specially in my countru the average outdoor temp is 89F. How do i go about selecting and installing? A series hook up w/the existing cooler? A new cooler, any idea as to how to size it? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – There is a great deal of talk about chrysler transmission problems. The 3 speeds known as the 30th or (404,470) and the 31th or  (413,670).The 4 speeds known as the 40TE (604),41TE(604),41AE(604 AWD) are talked about pleanty also. Just like every thing else in this world, transmission are being update yearly.When a transmission fails a great deal of technicians fix the problem BUT the cause is sometimes over looked. For the 604’s and 606’s the major cause for most of these transmission failures is due to heat. Placing an external (seperate from the radiator sys) large cooler will stop any heat problems.If you keep the heat down the oil will have better viscosity and lubrication to prevent planetary gear damage, the internal seals stay soft and pliable, external seals & gaskets won’t leak. If you have a 4 speed transmision (604) then get a transmission cooler. Chrysler has managed to get 4 gears into one drum which translates into alot of heat due to friction of clutchs. The same rule goes for 3 speed transmissions also. I hope i was helpful. if you have any more questions I can get more info and tech support. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I don’t think things have changed much at Chrysler.  I had a 1999 Caravan. With 5000kms on it, I was headed down the Don Valley Parkway when my transmission grinded into a splatter of metal, smoke and xmission fluid. I managed to coast off the highway, along Richmond street, on to Front and into a Chrysler dealership. I was feeling quite lucky, but basically, my luck had just ended. The dealership provided what I can only describe as astonishingly bad service. They said that it would be 6 days before they could even look at it to determine what the problem was, then several more days to get the parts in. "That’s fine" I said, "just give me a loaner vehicle and I’ll be on my way." The concept of loaner cars seemed new to them. They literally didn’t seem to understand what I meant, never mind accomodating. I had to make several calls to Chrysler Canada before the dealer was willing to provide a rental car. They also lost the key for my van for almost a full day, and had me running around trying to get some number from the original dealer, only to find out all they needed was the VIN number, which of course, they had access to all along. They ended up putting in a new transmission, of course, and never once apologized for selling me a faulty vehicle, the inconvenience or the risk of collision my family and I endured as a result of their faulty workmanship. But the tale of woe doesn’t end there. Shortly after having the transmission repaired, I noticed that the van was developing a clunking sound, during acceleration, especially. At 14,000km, I went to a different dealership to have it repaired. They too tried to get out of providing me with any loaner vehicle, though they said the repairs would take somewhere between 2-5 days. They were very curt when I arrived with the vehicle, and didn’t seem to want to hear any of my predictions about where the noise was coming from. At the end of the first day of them trying by trial and error to determine the source of the noise, I went to the van to retrieve my cell phone, and ended up in conversation with the mechanic. He looked very perplexed and told me he’d removed the starter, the alternator and other items and still couldn’t figure out what was making the noise. I said that I was pretty sure it was the flywheel, as the transmission was destroyed and parts flew everywhere when it came apart. He immediately realized that I was, of course, right, and the rest is history. They lost a full day of labour because they didn’t want to listen to a customer. Now I’m in the market for a new van, and I’m looking for anything but a Chrysler. I wasn’t upset at all that the transmission might blow after so little milage. But Chrysler showed themselves to be dismissive, careless, uncaring and often incompetent. Sincerely, Thom

Response:

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