Grand Voyager Transmission Fixes

How to Repair a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager with Transmission Woes

© Vincent Ciulla

May 12, 2008

This weekly Q&A session answers your questions about cars and trucks. This week explores a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager with some serious transmission woes.

Question: 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager Transmission problems

I have a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager that had the transmission stop working. I started searching the Internet looking for possible solutions to get it working again and came across an article 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager on this website and the problem sounded so similar to mine. Maybe you can help.

The scenario:

During the winter months when I put the car into Drive after it's been parked for a few hours or overnight, it would feel like it was in neutral for a moment, less than 2 minutes, and then it would catch gears and everything would be okay. I thought it was just the cold and the transmission fluid was too thick but once it warmed up, the viscosity became more fluid; after that I had no problems.

Then a month ago, it started making a high-pitched, squealing noise. I had no problems with the transmission during this time, I think because the weather warmed up a bit, so I started thinking it was something with the alternator, water pump or anything else the main belt worked.

Then one day on my way to work, I felt the transmission slipping gears when shifting. That evening on the way home the squealing noise got louder and I started losing power going up a slight incline. By the time I got it to my street, it felt like the car was in neutral, this lasted for more than 5 minutes. I just kept my foot on the gas and as it squealed it caught enough of the gears to get me moving so I was able to pull into my garage. A few days later, I moved it out of the garage.

When I put it into reverse it had no gears but it rolled out, because of the slight slant in the driveway. When I moved it forward and over, I just kept the foot on the gas for a while, it squealed loudly, until it caught a gear that allowed me to slowly move it forward. I have identified that the squeal noise existed whether I was in gear or in neutral and that it was tied to the RPMs of the engine.

My questions:

1. Does this behavior sound like the transmission is shot?
2. How do I determine the code described in the article (example: DTC P0732 is a transmission code indicating "Gear Ratio Error In 2ND"?
3. In the article you mentioned a solenoid being stuck. Could you elaborate on this?
4. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

I am all ready to take the plunge and donate the car, but I would like to make sure there is nothing simple left that I can do, or inexpensive to have a professional do.

Thanks,

Rick Trompak

Answer:

Okay Rick, by the numbers...

1. Indeed, the transmission does sound like it's gone to that great transmission shop in the sky. Pull the transmission dipstick and smell the fluid. If it makes you gag then it's not good. Now drop the transmission pan and see what's inside it. Some fine steel dust is normal. If you have big chunks of metal then it's for sure a goner.
2. To access the diagnostic P codes you will need a scan tool. You can do the key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON and count the check engine light blinks but that won't get you transmission codes.
3. The solenoids are the transmission shift solenoids. Here is how they work: The Solenoid and Pressure Switch assembly located on the transmission is used to control the shifting of the transmission. Power for the assembly is provided on circuit T16 from the transmission control relay. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) provides the ground path for the various solenoids and pressure switches depending on operating conditions. This assembly is also case grounded to the transmission.The following circuits are controlled by the TCM for the Solenoid and Pressure Switch assembly
   • T20 - Low/Reverse solenoid
   • T19 - 2/4 solenoid
   • T60 - Overdrive solenoid
   • T59 - Underdrive pressure switch
   • T50 - Low/Reverse pressure switch
   • T47 - 2/4 pressure switch
   • T9 - Overdrive pressure switch
4. From here it looks like the transmission is gone and needs to be either rebuilt or replaced. Your best bet, if you want to keep it, is to get a remanufactured unit from Jasper transmissions. Or you can get a used transmission from a junkyard.

Of course you can donate the vehicle to a worthy charity. They usually have mechanics and technicians that donate their time to fixing these vehicles up to make them usable again. Check the IRS website to find out what you need to do to document the donation and get the proper deduction.

That's all for this week. Feel free to browse the archives for past topics. And, as always, if you are stuck and need an immediate answer you can always call Vince on the phone.

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