Anyone know of a common transmission problem on a chrysler cirrus?

Question

I have a 95 chrysler cirrus, 2.5L 6 cylinder, and after about 5 minutes of driving the car goes into "limp mode" and will not go out of 2nd gear and revs up really high, topping out at about 50mph. I have changed both the input and output speed sensors on the transmission and no cure yet. The tach only works sometimes, it has been that way for a year, and the transmission problem just started about a month ago. It will go away after about 30 minutes of driving, then come back intermittently. I removed the transmission computer connector and added dielectric grease to the connector also. ANY IDEAS???

Answer 1

The TCM will store the diagnostic code for the current failure, I would suggest you have them retrieved and diagnosed before you spin a rod bearing from over revving the engine, it's called "limp-in" for a reason, it's not meant to be driven around like that.

Check the fluid level and condition, and make sure all the electrical connections are secure, also the new  speed sensors often need new connectors, (TSB 21-06-99) as the new sensors have different size pins in the connector.

There are many common failures w/ the 41TE

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?di...

http://www.prowleronline.com/techbulleti...

http://www.allpar.com/eek/atf.html

ADD:

  Helpful bob?  thats a pretty long and complicated procedure for the average person to follow, just to find a EATX related issue, when a simple code will give you the same info, or at least the circuit to test. More likley there is a speed sensor issue, as EATX circuit problems are not that common, maybe the relay in some cases but I have only observed two circuit issues and both also had other complaints.

Answer 2

Transmission solenoid.

Answer 3

You need to find out if the transmission solenoid relay is acting up or if there is a bad wire feeding it or if the TCM=transmission comp is faulty or if the solenoid pack is failing here.

The info I'm about to share could save you hrs and hundreds of dollars in long run and many headaches too.

Step no1 check the under the hood fuse panel for a relay marked transmission relay or EATX , No2 disconnect the battery and pop out the relay.

No3 is use some wire at least say 18 gauge and strip both the ends , one end strip it so you can wrap it around one if the legs or pins coming out of the relay.

No4 take a 12 volt light probe with a few sets of double ended alligator clamped wires and wrap that wire around the relays leg that is closes to the inside of the vehicle.

No5 clamp the wire the other end of the wire you've wrapped along pin coming off the relay leg and then make sure the bare wire is tightly wrapped onto the relays pin and pop the relay back into position.Keep the other end of the wire with clamp covered or out of the way of vehicles metal chassis or ground.

No6 Reconnect the battery and clamp the light 12 volts test probes ground lead to the negative battery post.Now use the probes tip and connect it to the battery's positive terminal......The light should be in fact lighting now

No7 clamp the wire coming off of the relay to the test probes metal and then place it so you can see it from the inside of the vehicle.

No8 if the probe is light now then you've found the 12volt feed to the relay, if not light try putting the key into ignition and see if the probe lights up in any and all ignition positions.If it lights up now that means you've found the relays output and its live when suppose to be.

No9 it's not easy to explain without a diagram but basically the transmission relay should have a pin A that is the negative and connected to ground or chassis or negative battery post. Next pin B  will have a a constant 12 volt feed coming from the under hood fuse panel, plus pin B has a 12 volt live feed wire going to the TCM feeding it too.Pin C will be the red white wire that will become live once the ignition is on, this wire is for feeding the solenoid pack via the TCM I mentioned.Pin D should be the 12 volt green wire that comes from the TCM and turns on the relay.One red wire off TCM will go back to the relay but other pin beside it on TCM red wire will feed the solenoid pack wiring harness that feeds the solenoid pack.

No10 bec your dash is also going dead you need to be sure the main 12volt feed wire that comes off of Pin B  isn't corroded or faulty bec , also there is two pins that gain power from the ignition on the TCM , one will be a constant live pin  and the other will be switchable and become live with the ignition switch. These wires alone will cause the transmission to go into limp mode and also cause the speedo and rpm Gage's to not function.

So basically the relay has a 12 volt red wire that is called the hot or constant feed that is fed by a fuse and then when the ignition is turned that sends power to the TCM and that sends power back to the relay so relay via a green wire that then acts like a switch and closes the 12 volt constant feed output to the TCM and therefore feeds the solenoid pack with a constant 12 volts via a red-white wire.

Keep in mind that the transmission relay ground wire is also involved here bec the relay must be grounded and have a solid ground, plus grounds are the main cause of such electronic failers in vehicles.Never try using a different gauge of wire then what is being used by manufacturer.

Here's a bit of info extra Pin A the ground should be facing directly the drivers side at 12 o'clock , Pin B should be facing the engine or to the left at 9 o'clock,Pin C should be at 6 o'clock and Pin D at 3 o'clock.

Note the relay might not be facing the same way but the pins should be like I've mentioned.

Hope that helps and if you need anymore info feel free to ask but I really would like to know if your vehicle has a single socket plug going to the main comp and if it's a single plug going to TCM. That would help me know if I've the diagram for it too, although I've no scanner etc so I can't send but I could give you certain pin info etc.

Answer 4

Try buying a European or Japanese car.  American cars are awful.