Grand Caravan Transmission

[Pound]

Hello all! I have a 2009 Grand Caravan with a 3.8 and a 62te transmission. Lately, the transmission will not shift out of first about every other time I start it. It does pop a code for the first gear solenoid. Has anyone replaced a solenoid pack in one of these? I'm looking for tips other than what YouTube has. This particular model has the exhaust crossover that passes right over the trans front cover. There is NO WAY the bolts are coming out of that sucker without snapping off!

 

[413]

Acetylene torch on the bolts will greatly improve their turning. If rusted too bad them cut them off.

I've heard of folks having success changing the solenoids. Keep things clean when doing it.

 

[Pound]

A lot of things make me nervous about this. We have considered junking the van, but it's really handy to have around. It's completely paid off and is the only vehicle we have that has auto-start. That being said, it has 201,000 miles, a clunky front end, at least 8 rusted out spots, leaks anti-freeze from somewhere, and always had burned a quart of oil every 500 miles.

 

[Pound]

Under the black cover is the other cover that gets you to the valve body. 21 bolts hold the valve body on. What are the chances of doing this clean and neat. Plus, I can't even see the rear exhaust manifold bolts. YIKES!

 

[Pound]

I'm starting to wonder if I should just try a fluid and filter change?

 

[Pound]

Of course I have to order a dipstick to do that as well.

 

[413]

Take it to the pressure washer and Castrol Super Clean before you start. That goes a long way to keeping dirt out of the trans.

The computer code tells you there is a problem with the solenoid circuit, is a fluid change going to help that? Nope.

It's not easy or fun, that's why it's expensive to take it in and have it done.

Sounds like this van is about worn out.

 

[Pound]

I dropped the pan. The fluid looks like used motor oil. The magnet had what i would call an average amount of filings on it for the mileage. Yes, the van is kinda all around used, but my wife likes having it around. We call it our 7 passenger old truck.

 

[George Jets]

Dirty fluid and particles on the magnet not good.

A quick fix for strange shifts on the Caravans is to replace the brake light switch up above the brake pedal.

That brake light switch talks to the trans computer, and they go bad causing weird shift problems.

My 2003 3.8 Caravan had the bump shift problem, bought a new switch > but just cleaned and lubed the original one with WD-40 and put it back in.

Transmission is working perfect now.

.

 

[Pound]

Decided to junk the van. The astro start will live on the '04 ram, though!