Harsh 2-1 downshift on 42LE

My Intrepid has started experiencing really harsh downshifts when the
trans shifts from 2nd into 1st, such as when coming to a stop or in
crawling stop and go traffic, or crawling around a shopping mall parking
lot. I would almost say that the transmission selects Reverse for split
second before it chooses 1st. It's like hitting a deep pot hole.

Never does it when the engine is cold; engine and transmission have to
be at full operating temp. Does it less in the winter when ambient
temps are low, does it much more frequently in summer when temps are
higher. Doesn't do it all the time.

Anyone else experience this ? If so, did you get it fixed and what was
done.

Thanks...Phil

 

First get the transmission fluid changed with Chrysler fluid and NO
additives even if the dealer says additives help. Chrysler does not
recommend additives of any type. Do not use a substitute fluid as might be
suggested by Jiffy Lube and other non dealers.

 

Already done Art (twice) . No difference.

Do you know if DTC faults with the transmission will illuminate the
Check Engine Light ?

I wouldn't go to a Jiffy Lube if the service and oil was free. I do
everything right here in my own garage. First transmission oil change
with filter I let the dealer do. I then changed a portion of the fluid
again 10K miles later at home. Managed to get 5 quarts out. ATF+4 all
the way.

Thanks...Phil

 

You didn't say what year or mileage on Intrepid you had. Some 95's and
perhaps later benefited from software upgrades. Also some have long
warranties on the engine and AT.

 

2001 with 149K miles Art. Aside from this intermittent hard
downshifting, the car is otherwise A-1 (so far).

Phil

 

You might check to see if there is a later firmware upgrade, but if it
was working OK previously, that is probably not the problem. AFAIK, the
last firmware update was in 2000, but I could be wrong. Wouldn't hurt
to have the dealer check the TCM firmware version with the latest available.

Also, resetting the TCM by removing power to it for a few minutes may
fix it. Pulling fuse Q (see photo:
http://public.fotki.com/Scotian/300m/engine/tcm_fuse/dcp_0105or-1.html)
in the PDC for a few minutes should accomplish that. Try this first.

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

 

That's an easy one Bill. I'll give it a try first. As I said, it
doesn't do this all the time. It seems to be related to temperature
plus the type of driving within the previous 5 or 10 minutes. When it
starts doing it, I can get it to return to normal just by driving at
nearly any steady speed for just a few minutes. It's strange.

Thanks...Phil

 

Maybe the cooling tube from the radiator is plugged.

 

That sounds hopeful that resetting it will work - it supposedly "learns"
your driving habits and adapts accordingly. Many people routinely
periodically reset it because it's often felt that after a point, it
acts weird, i.e., the adaptive process technology is still developing.

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

 

Ya know, I was thinking along those lines too while I was driving along
today. I have an external pump here; I think I'll do an off-line
backflush of the auxiliary cooler and the main cooler in the side tank
on the rad. Then I'll check the supply and return lines. If something
isn't right with the trans cooler system, that has to be corrected
before anything else is done.

Thanks for the knudge Art. I'll also try Bill's TCM fuse idea. Costs
nothing and is easy to do.

Phil