1996 Plymouth Voyager & A Flus

Question: 1996 Plymouth Voyager

Vincent: I have a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. During normal driving, the service engine soon light came on. I had the technician at Advanced Auto Parts pull the code and ENG: 65/P0703, Brake SW Perf was displayed. He said it was a brake sensor but could not tell me any more. Can you help with more information on this diagnosis?

Thanks for any assistance that you can provide.

Regards,

Harley L McCray

Answer: Code P0703 indicates a problem in the brake switch circuit. The brake switch is located on the brake pedal and may simply be out of adjustment or bad. This is the same switch that turns the brake lights on when you step on the brake pedal.

Question: Transmission Flush Gone Bad

Hi, My name is Rita. I just got through reading your article on transmission flushes: Do You Need To flush? By Vincent Ciulla. I wish I had read this article a week ago. I had my van in the shop because it was giving me problems. It was stuttering almost all the time. Sometimes it felt like the transmission was the problem but even on the interstate after a full shift it was still having trouble so I knew it was not the transmission.

The shop did a Tune-Up at the cost of almost $600.00 and then called me the morning of October 28, 2006 telling me the transmission was slipping and it needed a flushing. I said ok since I don’t know the first thing about cars. Last Saturday November 4, 2006 (one week later) my transmission hard shifted while I was parking at a local store. When I got out there was a large puddle of transmission fluid on the ground and more coming out.

I towed it to the place who was working on the week before and they are now telling me that the front pump seals are bad and it will cost me $700.00 to $900.00 to fix it. Researching the internet today after a local transmission shop said that was typical after an automatic flushing, I came across your article. I read where you stood up with someone and stated that it was the flushing that caused her problems. I am thinking of calling a lawyer tomorrow and see if they can help me out.

I was hoping maybe you could direct me to something that would help me in dealing with this shop. Something that would be seen as verifiable proof that the flushing is what happened. It definitely was not leaking before the flushing. For all I know just putting more fluid in it might have worked or draining it the old fashioned way.

I live in Florida just in case the state makes the difference on these types of cases.

Thank you for your time,

Rita Owens

Answer: I believe the transmission flush is what made the seals start to leak. The tough thing is proving it. What happens is over time sludge builds up inside the seal and as they get older the sludge helps them to seal even though the seals start to weaken. When you flush the transmission you clean out this sludge and the weak seals will start to leak.

I was involved in a case where an engine flush destroyed an engine. It took four years to settle at a cost of well over $35,000.00.

You will need the transmission repair at an independent repair shop and have them document what they find and retain the old parts as evidence. Then find a good Attorney and discuss the merits of the case. He would be better able to advise you on the process and what he will need from you.

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