# Dodge Caravan - NOT GAINING SPEED **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** caravan, dodge\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542 "2010-01-14T15:41:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ash704](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@Ash704](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Ash704)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/1 "2010-01-14T15:41:18Z")
Dodge caravan 1993, 208000 miles - transmission fluid leaks, engine oil leaks - was driving fine - but this morning, was not gaining speed above 60mph even though the rpm was hovering around 5000 - usually at 3500 it is well over 70mph. Can’t buy another car/replace the van at this time - had to make it work to go to work. What might be the problem - is it the transmission or maybe one or two pistons not working properly or something to do with exhaust. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/2 "2010-01-14T17:05:20Z")
It’s the transmission. Since the transmission is leaking, insure that its fluid level at the mark. If you take it real easy, you may be able to milk a little more time out of the transmission. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/3 "2010-01-14T17:23:15Z")
Check the transmission fluid to see if it’s at the right level and if it’s a pink or red color (versus brown). However, chances are that the transmission is on the way out, in which case you want to get it to a good local transmission shop, not a chain outfit. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/4 "2010-01-14T21:23:09Z")
Check the fluid immediately. Your trip this morning and any others like it are completely burning up the transmission, and may have killed it already. If I had to guess I’d say your fluid is probably black and burned up. If you add use only “ATF+4” ---
**Author:** ![Bodybagger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b77776/32.png) [@Bodybagger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bodybagger)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/5 "2010-01-14T21:59:02Z")
You didn’t specify whether you had an automatic tranmission or manual… but from your description you have a classic automatic tranmission failure. The clutch pack for the high gear is slipping under load. They are toast. You’ll need the transmission rebuilt as well as a new torque converter. ---
**Author:** ![realbinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a87d85/32.png) [@realbinky](https://community.cartalk.com/u/realbinky)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-caravan-not-gaining-speed/42542/6 "2010-01-14T22:06:57Z")
Don’t think the caravan ever came with a manual