1998 Chrysler Town & Country LXi transmission trouble

Listen to your mechanic! Chrysler gearboxes are weird and the solinoids go out all the time. We change some almost everyday. The reason it only happens when it is warm is because there are electronic controls and they don't go into effect until the oil reaches a specific temperature measured by a probe in the wiring harness inside the transmission. If the fluid is black you have issues that need addressed and they could be that the gearbox is dwealing between gears caused by bad solinoids! Heat causes transmission death sure as can be so don't screw around or you won't have anything repairible before too long. I have been doing heavy line automotive repair work and have a shop with seven techs for almost 35 years now, your probllem is very common and the solinoids are most probably the issue.

Had a very similar situation last summer with son's Intrepid. We tossed the solenoid pack, flushed and refilled with fresh ATF and new filter total success. Mileage right at the 110k range shifting great.

1998 that means about 100,000 miles --- replace the electric brain. if that fails pay the 1000.00 get it rebuilt and while your at it replace the lifters and valve stem seals. You must have a good van or you would not be angery.

These vans will go for about 230,000 miles but around 100k to 120 k miles the tranny starts acting up the computer begins to fail, valve stems wear down and you begin to burn oil which interfers with the Vaccum system and all the sensors the computer relies on.

I used to buy these vans from rental companys for about 1500, rebuild the tranny do the valves and lifters then resale.

I have stopped because of the economy but made for good vaction money and christmas for a long time.

1) do a CVI test, most scan tools can do this.

that's a clutch volume test, and will tell you if it's worn internally.

2) check the harness to the solenoid pack, and the ground wires as well.

3) use only ATF+4 fluid, and no additives.

Failure to shift code can be attributed to front pump, clogged filter or sensor pack.

1. Have transmission fluid analyzed

2. Get a second opinion

3. $1000 will not cover vehicle replacement hassles, if required replace Tranny then consider selling, good vehicles set up the way you like'em are hard to come by.

I have a 2000 1 ton Dodge van. Last year the transmission started acting up, starting in second gear. The codes steered me to the solenoid pack. Replaced it and no problems yet.

If you think the cost of the solenoids are expensive, get a price quote on rebuilding that trans. If the cost scares you, get the solenoid pack from a junk yard. You will still get to change the transmission fluid and the chances of two solenoid packs performing exactly the same bad way are not likely at all. If the junk yard solenoids change anything, you will know that you need new ones. Good luck.