ATF exchange in Dodge GC

[Grease is the word]

I did an ATF fluid exchange in my 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8L auto over the weekend. It has 85K on it. I thought it was about time to do this. I bought it with 65K. At that time, I had an independent shop do an ATF filter and fluid change on it. I don't know what brand of ATF he put in it.

Good news is that my "flush" went very well. I just unhooked the output line from the cooler and connected a clear tube to a container. I then ran it until I got 2 quarts out, stopped the engine, and refilled 2 quarts. I did this for 8 quarts. I used Chrysler's ATF+4.

Bad news is that one of the downshifts clunks or is harder than it should be (when I slow down from 40mph and right at about 5-10mph).

I have checked the level again and I'm OK.

Should I:

-flush some more
-drop the pan and change filter
-take it to a shop

Thanks,

Grease

[ December 08, 2003, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Grease is the word ]

 

[unDummy]

Do another flush and try to remove 3-4 quarts per 'cycle'.

If the shop wasn't honest, they might've skipped the filter replacement. It doesn't hurt to change it yourself if you can.

You'll also should reset the ECU/TCU. Either leave the battery disconnected overnight or have the dealer do it. The vehicle needs to relearn the shift quality with newer fluid. You might even want to see if the dealer has any updated software for the TCU/ECU......This might help.

You checked your fluid fully warmed up, in park and running, and on a level surface, right?

 

[Grease is the word]

Un,

Thanks for the help. I am pretty discouraged at this point.

I did the 2 quarts at a time routine because I was afraid I would run things dry.

I will try the battery / relearn thing tonight. I had read about that on the allpar.com site. I suspect that the filter change at 65K had non ATF+4 put in and my transmission got accostomed to the half ATF+4 and half fluid du jour.

Yes, I was very careful with levels. I made sure I put in the same amount as I took out, and I ran for 15 miles and checked warm and level.

The fluid looks great on the dipstick. Too bad it doesn't shift as well.

I had purchased a Mopar trans filter and RTV sealant and was going to do the filter and the exchange. I took off the bolts to the pan and could not get the pan off. The last RTV seal job was so tight and secure I couldn't budge it. So I put the bolts back in and did the "flush."

If you have any ideas for breaking the RTV seal, please share.

Thanks.

 

[Ross]

I too own a GC. To break the rtv seal you need to find a good spot to put a thin object such as a puddy knife in. I found a nice spot on the engine side of the pan. There is a small lip there. Carefully pry up and down and the seal will break. Make sure you have a large container to catch the falling fluid. To get around this I recently purchase a mytivac 1.5 gallon suction device. I suction out the pan, then drop it. No more mess on the floor. I also no longer use rtv for the pan. I have been using hastings filters and it comes with a nice synthetic cork gasket. Clean of the rtv and use the gasket. Mine dose not leak. Chrysler does now make a reusable thick rubber gasket. It cost about $30, but you can use it forever. Napa also makes a reusable gasket for about $5, but some on www.allpar.com have said that the napa one leaks.

I have the part number at home if you want them for the gaskets, but I have had good luck with the gaskets that come with the aftermarket filter kits such has hastings.


Napa gasket only part# atp17840
Mopar gasket only part# 5011115AA

Hastings filter and gasket AT88 cost $12.00

ONLY USE ATF+4 My car take exactly 4 quarts if I only drop the pan. I buy it from the dealer in a gallon jug for $24.00

I change my filter and pan fluid every 10,000 miles. I know its overkill, but Chryslers weakest link is the transmision. If you haven't visited www.allpar.com you should. Click on forums and go to minivan.

 

[Grease is the word]

Ross,

Thanks for the execellent info. I appreciate it.

I disconnected the battery all night and this morning it still has the hard downshift. It happens at about 28mph on deceleration after it has had a chance to reach 4th gear.

I have made an appt with the dealer to have the transmission fluid & filter changed in a few days. I may try and do it myself before that, I don't know. I am just tired of it at this point.

Get this -- my dealer charges $27.50 for a gallon of ATF+4 or $5 a quart... hmmmm, which one?

 

[Ross]

I use to have a 92 GC 3.3. It would not want to downshift as you come to a stop sign. When it did, it would be very harsh. The dealer said replace the transmission. I took it to another shop and they hooked it up to a scanner and drove the car. Concluded that it was the transmission speed sensor. Replaced that part for $100 and all was well until I sold it 40,000 miles later.

 

[Grease is the word]

Thanks for the input, Ross. I have made an appt at 11am today with an independent shop that I trust. He is going to drive it and hook up a scanner to it.

I will post progress.

Grease

 

[Grease is the word]

Independent shop's scanner didn't have the software for my van. He drove it with me and his best guess is that the TCU needs to be flashed and reset. I have an appt with a dealer tomorrow morning to do just that.

I will post the results.

 

[1maniac]

I've found a $7.00 life saver when it comes to changing ATF. Made by B&M, it's an aftermarket drain plug for the ATF pan. Drill hole, place washers,bolt,nut, then tighten. No mess. No hassle. Once a year pull dipstick, drain ATF, put drain plug back, refill. All done.

 

[Grease is the word]

Took the '01 GC to a Dodge dealer this morning. They read codes and found none. They then reset the TCU so that it can learn the "new" fluid. There was no code upgrade available.

Sixty-one dollars later -- Problem solved!!!

Thanks to UnDummy and Ross for your help in steering me the right way.

A few things learned (my goal is to get at least 160K on this transmission):

-Never

have anyone put non ATF+4 in your DC vehicle that requires it (I knew 20K miles ago to ask, but accepted the shop's substitute).

-The transmission flush with the external cooler is very easy and will be performing it every other year with 8 quarts.
-Learn to do trans filter change and perform every opposite year of flush.

Grease

[ December 11, 2003, 12:38 PM: Message edited by: Grease is the word ]

 

[Ross]

I have the same set up, but have only dropped the pan to change. Which line is the the output line??

 

[Grease is the word]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ross:
I have the same set up, but have only dropped the pan to change. Which line is the the output line??

---

The output on my aftermarket transmission cooler is the lower one, but it could vary based on the application.

Since I didn't know either, I disconnected the lower hose and put a new clear hose on the fitting to the cooler. I directed both to a jug just to be safe on the first try. After that, I just used the clear temporary tube coming out of the cooler.

Grease