dodge caravan auto transmission life add tranny oil cooler

since 1990 on 4 older caravans I must have gone thru 10 transmissions,
although AAMCO covered some under a lifetime warranty. A good friend
has a 90 dodge spirit on 3rd transmission.

will a oil cooler help extend tranny life?

as of today I have a 92 and 94 both with possible tranny troubles.

I carry a lot of weight but dont beat the vehicles, use them for work

 

I would think that a cooler would help, in that it would keep the fluid
cooler than the regular radiator cooler. This would especially be the
case when pulling a trailer or under heavy load conditions.

The transmission on my 1990 Spirit failed at 110,000 miles due to a
thrust washer being
worn, which caused damage to the mainshaft. I don't know if a cooler
would have helped in that case.

-KM

 

Well, AAMCO is probably responsible for about 8 of those failures if
that's the transmission shop you're using. RUN AWAY!

Generally, yes. Keeping the transmission temperature down is always a
good thing. And the electronic Chrysler transmissions are a little hard
on the fluid because they run full hydraulic pressure all the time,
unlike older transmissions that reduce pressure when the throttle is
lightly applied. Running full pressure allows the computer to always be
able to modulate clutch application correctly, but it does generate a
bit more heat.

On the other hand, the most common causes of problems with these
transmissions are not related to heat. The most common thing is not
running the correct fluid (ATF +3 or ATF +4) and scAAMCO has been
notorious for just throwing Dexron fluid in them. That's certain death.
The other most common problem is sensor failure- whenever the input or
output speed sensor fails, the transmission will go into "limp" mode
(2nd gear all the time) and people tend to keep driving them that way,
turning the key off and back on to reset the transmission. That's rough
on them, because when they get reset they try to run through the gears,
but with an incorrect speed reference the shift characteristics are wrong.

The third common cause of failure is hardware problems with the early
(pre-93 for the most part) transmissions. Cracked snap-rings, things
like that. But those should have been fixed LONG ago in any new
transmission that was installed.

That should be fine, but it is a case where a cooler would be helpful.
The best thing you can do is get service IMMEDIATELY if you have
"possible tranny troubles," and go to a shop that knows Chrysler
transmissions and stocks the correct fluid. Make sure they show you
bottles of ATF +3 or +4 sitting on the shelf before you agree to let
them service the car. If they say anything about using Dexron with any
sort of additve that "makes it compatible" with Chrysler transmissions,
run like HELL. And call them idiots over your shoulder.

 

THANKS! My 92 with 3.0 engine doesnt appear to be shifting into top
gear, I hope its not rebuild time

my 94 missed a couple shifts pulling out from a dead stop, I added a
little of that transmission medic stuff since it was a little low.

kinda depressed about vehicles currently.

My AAMCO was a good deal, 5 or 6 free transmissions in 300,000 miles.

sorry today I finally junked it with about 400,000 miles on it.

my best friends dodge spirit has had repeated transmission rebuilds,
driven by his daughter she isnt beating it, i used to date her. her dad
been stuck with the bill, your response will likely get a cooler added
soon.

 

THANKS! My 92 with 3.0 engine doesnt appear to be shifting into top
gear, I hope its not rebuild time

my 94 missed a couple shifts pulling out from a dead stop, I added a
little of that transmission medic stuff since it was a little low.

kinda depressed about vehicles currently.

My AAMCO was a good deal, 5 or 6 free transmissions in 300,000 miles.

sorry today I finally junked it with about 400,000 miles on it.

my best friends dodge spirit has had repeated transmission rebuilds,
driven by his daughter she isnt beating it, i used to date her. her dad
been stuck with the bill, your response will likely get a cooler added
soon.

 

Additives are also highly recommended against for the A604/41TE. It has
been said many times and I will repeat it again that the only thing that
should be poured into an electronic Chrysler transmission is ATF+3 or ATF
+4. No dyes, additives, stop leaks, dexron, or lubeguard should ever be
used as they will almost certainly shorten the service life of the tranny
sometimes dramatically.

 

how can I tell which transmissions I have?

a 92 3.0 engine and a 94 3.0 engine.

 

When I've gone 250,000 miles on *2* transmissions (same car, of course),
I don't consider 5-6 in 300k ANYTHING like a "good deal."

 

well all but the first was free........

 

The 3.0 Mitsubishi engine could use either of the 2 transaxles.

If it is the A604 4 speed electronic the shifter indicator will show P, R,
N, D, 3, L
If it is the A413 3 speed mechanical the shifter indicator will show P, R,
N, D, 2, 1