Intrepid transmission probs II

[DLausche]

Bought a 97 Intrepid this past weekend cheap because of transmission probs. 3. 3L with the 42LE (I think) auto trans. After starting, it will shift 1st to 2nd fine, but free-revs when it goes to 3rd. It then goes into limp mode and stays in 2nd gear. Dropped the pan and changed fluid. Didn't find any parts or pieces in the pan which is good. There were fine metal shavings and a few aluminum flakes but nothing out of the ordinary (I think). The fluid appeared to have quite a few miles on it as there was a thin layer of brown gunk at the bottom of the pan. I also borrowed a scan tool from the local parts store and it gave the following diag codes.



Trouble Codes:

P0733 Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio

P0734 Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio

P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction



Pending Codes: No codes reported



Freeze Codes:

P0733 Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio



Drained ALL the fluid from TC and installed new filter and fluid. Left battery disconnected while working on it to erase any trouble codes stored. Started up and it reacts the same and eventually locks into 2nd gear and stays there.



From my reading & research, this appears NOT to be a sensor issue because it is obviously slipping in 3rd. Previous owner gave me a copy of the work order/estimate from the local dealer when he had it in to diagnose the issue. It reads "Inspected, had loss of prime, diagnosed a bad pump. Need to remove the trans and disassemble to reseal trans, replace the pump, and reflash the transaxle controller. " I've read elsewhere that a plugged valve body can cause issues like this. If the pump was bad, wouldn't it not shift into gear at all? Only reason to not totally believe the dealer is that previous experiences there with my 2500 they often recommend unneeded and/or slightly incorrect repair procedures.



Anyways, any suggestions would be appreciated. I don't know if I should try a new/rebuilt valve body next, or if I should just swap out the whole transmission for one from the salvage yard.



Anyone know of any good web resources that discuss issues and solutions similar to this?



TIA

-Deon

 

[parcher]

What you describe sound like an internal trans failure, no magic you can pour down the dipstick tube will fix this.

 

[Eric Kahn]

Nothing that $1600 at your local transmission shop can't fix, the transmission is toast, one of the clutch packs is shot or it blew out one of the sprag clutches

 

[parcher]

My bet is a broken hub, the hub broke while shifting into 4th hence the gear ratio error in 4th , the next time the trans tried shifting up it got to 3rd where the same hub is needed and set the gear ratio error in 3rd code. If you clear the codes the gear ratio error in 3rd will come back but the code for 4th will never set because the trans will go into limp in before it ever even tries to shift int 4th. BTW this trans has no sprag (one way roller) clutches. Also the "loss of prime" indicates wear of the reaction shaft support bushing, need input clutch retainer to cure this, pump probably ok.

 

[DLausche]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I'm gonna start calling the salvage yards for a used trans.



-Deon