My van went from drive to 3rd gear while i was driving. and now its stuck in 3rd gear. its a 98 dodge caravan. i checked the transmision fluid it was full. how do i fix it?
Is the Check Engine Light lit up?
Is the trans fluid the normal reddish color, or it is more of a brown color?
Does the fluid have a “burnt” smell?
How often has the transmission fluid been changed over the past 15 years?
If you haven’t owned it for all of those 15 years, has the trans fluid (& filter) been changed w/in the past 3 years?
the check engine light is on. a little red. and no it didnt smell like it was burnt.and i dont think it has been changed recently
This sounds like you are in “limp mode” which could be the result of several things. I had this problem on an older Caravan and it proved to be an external sensor, cheap and easy to change, but required a transmission shop to identify the problem with a scanner tool. I would think your check engine light may be suggesting something along this line. So it’s possible that you have something similar. That said, your transmission is not the exact same as the one I’m referring to, probably has more electronics on it, so no guarantees, but worth a shot. In my case, I bought a new speed sensor and replaced it myself for a grand total of $35 plus a $10 deep socket, and 20 minutes work. That was four years ago, problem cured.
I suggest you go to a locally owned transmission specialty shop (NOT a chain like AAMCO or Mr. Transmission etc) to have them diagnose it for a reasonable fee. If all you need is a sensor, you’re more likely to not be upsold at an independent shop. While you’re there, have the trans fluid and filter changed. For future reference, ideally, trans fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles.
Good luck. I hope your problem is as simple as mine was.
As WesternRoadtripper noted the van’s transmission is probably in “limp home” mode which allows you to get the van home and to the repair facility. The transmission is probably in 2nd as that allows you a reasonable launch and useable road speed. In addition to limiting you to 2nd and Reverse the transmission applies full pump pressure to the clutches and will not allow the torque converter to lock. Both will heat the transmission fluid so watch your engine coolant temperature as the transmission oil is cooled in the radiator. Also don’t overrev the engine in an attempt to get somewhere fast.
As WesterRoadtripper also noted have the Transmission Control Module scanned for codes and other diagnostic data to determine the problem. It could be as simple as a blown fuse feeding the transmission solenoid pack or as stated a defective input or output speed sensor. The Diagnostic Trouble Codes pulled will lead the transmission technician to the solution.
The reason to avoid the chain transmission shops is that you will get the underlying problem fixed after a rebuilit transmission is installed (even if you did not need one).
Hope this helps.
Well i just drove to my mothers and it was fine. so i dont know whats going on with it. is that something that happens?
Transmissions don’t normally fix themselves, so I strongly suggest that, since the CEL was lit up, you get the stored trouble codes “read” (free of charge) at an auto parts retailer like Autozone, Advance Auto, or (possibly) Napa.
As to “limp mode”, I was under the impression that when a vehicle goes into limp mode, it will not shift above 2nd gear. The OP stated that his trans defaulted to 3rd gear. Is my recollection of limp mode incorrect?
As to, “i dont think it has been changed recently”, does that mean that the OP acquired this vehicle very recently, or does it imply that he doesn’t keep his maintenance records, or…?
Well i just drove to my mothers and it was fine. so i dont know whats going on with it. is that something that happens?
In my case, yes. It was intermittent for me, beginning just before I drove from southern Arizona to central California, about 1300 miles. I took a chance and made it with the transmission shifting properly most of the way. It misbehaved a couple times on the trip, at which point I parked it for a while, then tried it again. I mostly cruised at 50mph thinking there might have been some connection with speed - not sure if that had any influence but I rolled down the highway for hours with the trans right where it should have been. Lucky!
The trans shop told me that the sensor was probably slightly coated with just enough residue to be barely reading the signal (magnetic I think), accounting for variable behavior. But it wasn’t going to heal on its own, though I may have been able to remove the sensor, clean it, and try again. I decided to go with a new one.
As to "limp mode", I was under the impression that when a vehicle goes into limp mode, it will not shift above 2nd gear. The OP stated that his trans defaulted to 3rd gear. Is my recollection of limp mode incorrect?
I think mine (1990 GC) was in 2nd. I’m guessing the OP misjudged this, an easy mistake to make IMO. Or maybe the newer model has a different program?