# Rough shift from Top gear to next lower gear

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-shift-from-top-gear-to-next-lower-gear/58103>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** caravan, transmissions, dodge\
**Created:** [November 29, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-shift-from-top-gear-to-next-lower-gear/58103 "2010-11-29T21:57:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cjvillier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cjvillier](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cjvillier)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-shift-from-top-gear-to-next-lower-gear/58103/1 "2010-11-29T21:57:04Z")

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I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan, 120k miles and an automatic transmission. Just recently, we have noticed a lurch when coming up to a stop at a stop sign.  
  
 The transmission fluid was low and I have added a 1/2 quart , but it did not eliminate the lurch. I noticed that if I manually shift to gear 3 from Drive that the lurch does not happen. We only notice the lurch or jump when coming to a stop, gear change is smooth with no lurch when accelerating. I have not had my fluid changed in at least 50000 miles. Is this evidence of a major problem getting ready to occur or is an adjustment required?

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**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-shift-from-top-gear-to-next-lower-gear/58103/2 "2010-11-29T23:03:38Z")

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You may want to start saving up for a good sized repair bill. It would be a good idea to have the trans fluid changed. It might be too late, but worth a shot. My guess (and only a guess) is the lock up torque converter isn’t releasing properly. This can be a problem the computer controls, or mean the torque converter is on its way to failure. Wait for a response from “transman” who is an auto transmission guru.

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**Author:** ![cjvillier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@cjvillier](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cjvillier)\
**Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-shift-from-top-gear-to-next-lower-gear/58103/3 "2010-11-29T23:06:11Z")

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Thanks for your quick response UncleTurbo. I as you suggest, wait for Transman to weigh in.