Intrepid tray probs...

[DLausche]

Intrepid trany probs...

I'm thinking about buying a 97 Intrepid from a neighbor that has trany probs with the hope of fixing it and I have a couple of ?'s that you guys/gals might be able to help with. It is a 3. 3l, auto and has only 75,000 miles on the ticker.



The car drives fine, but one can't go very fast. After 2nd gear, there is nothing and the engine appears to rev freely like it is in neutral. Slow down again and it downshifts into 2nd (and then 1st) and all seems fine again. Needless to say, about 30mph is top speed in this condition.



I've read on several websites about a "limp" mode where the computer disables 3rd and 4th gear - enough to get a person home or to the shop. Sound like not too uncommon of a problem. My question is what typically happens when in this "limp" mode? Does the transmission typically just not shift past 2nd, or does it shift out of 2nd and then free-rev like this car does?



Haven't had a look in the transmission pan yet, just trying to determine if there is likely busted parts leading the slipping/non-existent 3-4 gears, or if there might be just a clogged valve or similar that is causing the computer to activate the "limp"mode.



Thanks in advance.

-Deon

 

[parcher]

If The trans slips then the computer puts it into limp in mode. In limp in mode the trans will start off in 2nd gear and never attempt to shift out of 2nd. If your car tries to shift into 3rd and then goes into limp in mode then you have an internal trans problem.

 

[Big E]

The speed sensor went out in our '98 about a month ago. As soon as you started the car and started moving it would shift into 2nd gear (hard) and stay there. Neutral, Park and Reverse all worked normally. If the engine was shut off and restarted it would reset and shift into first again. However as soon as it started to move it would go back into limp mode. The dealer replaced the sensor and all is well now.

 

[parcher]

This scenario is NOT a speed sensor, the trans works until it tries to shift into 3rd then slips. A speed sensor would not do this. A speed sensor would fail all the time or randomly, not with repeatable results.



There are actually two speed sensors on this trans, input and output. The computer "knows" the mechanical gear ratio of every gear and checks that input and output speed are correct for each selected gear, if they are not the the trans goes into limp mode and a code is set, "gear ratio error in 'X' gear" and usually "fault immediately after shift" , Speed sensors usually spit out "Input (or output) speed sensor error" If the output speed sensor dies the vehicle will have no speedometer.

 

[DLausche]

Thanks

Thanks for the info.



The way it is slipping (free-revving) in 3rd led me down the path of thinking I have some sort of internal problem causing it - more than just the limp mode being activated.



I think I'm gonna buy the car anyways (only $750) and try to get it working myself. I guess the worst it could take is a used transmission from the bone yard.



Thanks again for your input.

-Deon

 

[parcher]

One more question, What engine is in it? 3. 3 is like an anvil, indectructable! 3. 5 has aweak water pump that takes out the timing belt when it fails, not a valve bender but I'd replace the water pump every 50k to avoid being stranded.

 

[DLausche]

Which engine is it?

I'm not totally sure, but I think it is the 3. 3l. If it is the 3. 5, then your suggestion about changing the water pump seems to make good sense. Might as well do it while I'm in the fixin mode. Thanks for the info.



-Deon