# Transmission issue in my '02 Dodge Caravan

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** caravan, dodge\
**Created:** [February 5, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167 "2013-02-05T04:57:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kwiltinguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@kwiltinguy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kwiltinguy)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167/1 "2013-02-05T04:57:28Z")

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Hi … a couple of weeks ago, when it was about -15 here, my car started acting strange. In the morning after I started it I tried to shift into drive and it wouldn’t engage. The same happened in reverse. I would shift into drive (or reverse) and it would not shift. I would put it in park then shift back to drive and after a couple of times it worked. Once I am up and running it seems to be fine, it shifts up as it is suppose to when I am increasing speeds and it does not slip out of drive. I thought at first it was the cold, but has continued to happen - usually just in the mornings - even now that the weather has warmed up (!) to 20. The fluid seems fine according to the dip stick and the color of the fluid is pink and has a sweet smell, no burning smell. Could this be a first sign of bigger issues or something that can be taken care of with a fluid change or flush?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167/2 "2013-02-05T05:08:57Z")

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The problem might be that the transmission control solenoid is being effected by the temperature. Common problem on your vintage of Chrysler vehicle.

Tester

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**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167/3 "2013-02-05T05:13:27Z")

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How many miles since the last trans fluid and filter change?

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**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/transmission-issue-in-my-02-dodge-caravan/77167/4 "2013-02-05T05:22:11Z")

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First, get the car up to operating temp., you need to drive it at least 7 miles.

Then with the car running in park, check the transmission dipstick, it should be up to the hot full mark.

If it is low, add ATF+4 trans. fluid.

What transmission do you have? Some 92s had the old 3 speed Torqueflight, some had the newer 4 speed electronic transmission. The older 3 speed had bands that could be adjusted.

If it wasn’t low on fluid you probably need to find a good independent transmission shop. The national transmission shops generate more complaints than any other business in my opinion.