Van's transmission seems to be dying?

Question

My '95 Plymouth van (with 116k miles) is having some automatic transmission issues. Whenever I first accelerate, it will shift and slip out a few times. Once I lurch across one lane (if I were turning left), it smooths out and is fine. Usually, the longer I let it warm up (usually a good 10 minutes), the less this happens. We bought the thing for $350 and don't expect to sell it, so we've never really done anything about it.
Yesterday, whenever I let off the gas and the speedometer hit about 34 mph, it would aggresively shift down. And as I accelerated and the car shifted up, it seemed to be reving the engine as it shifted. Basically everything was very rough; this has never happened before.
I'm planning on taking it into a mechanicto see whats wrong. However, I'd kinda like to know... Are they just going to tell me that I need a whole new transmission? I really don't want to put anymore that $200 into this local-commuter. Any input is helpful, thanks!

Answer 1

the automatic overdrive tranny in those minivans was the weak link in their vans .. ie 3.0/3.3 engines

a couple things you can try though.. discinnect the batetery and leave the door open for a minue or two to drain the computer off... the transmission is computer controlled and sometimes resetting it can help

also of course check the fluid for color , level and if it has a burnt smell

One Big problem with the tranny is that People put the wrong fluid in those trannys DO NOT take dextron they take atf +3 or type 7176 chrysler fluid, its a bit more expencive (arround a doller a quart more) but it is necessary Dextron will screw up the clutches in the transmission

Answer 2

The transmission is slipping. If the shop is honest they will tell you it needs to be rebuilt. Forget the $200. My mom's minivan ('88 Plymouth Grand Voyager) had the same problem. The transmission had to be rebuilt. Cost: $1200 The price is that high because the shop is rebuilding a transaxle, which is both a differential and transmission together in the same housing. All front wheel drive vehicles have transaxles. In a rear wheel drive vehicle the differential and transmission are separate units, differential in the back, and transmission up front bolted to the engine.
If you haven't already dealt with this, you will...depending on when or if they were changed out. CV joints. These are very expensive from the dealer. You can buy aftermarket from AutoZone or O'Reilly, but they are only good for about 30,000 miles.

Answer 3

it may or is probably no longer waiting to be fastened with new Transmission fluid. an computerized transmission (tranny) is largely a brilliant hydraulic pump that holds some issues on an analogous time as letting different issues spin in laymans words. If the oil is low in the tranny, the tranny filter out heavily isn't waiting to tug oil out of the pan with a view to make tension to force the clutches and bands interior the transmission. driving an computerized transmission with low oil is fairly undesirable to the long existence of the transmission. no oil ability no tension meaning slippage, meaning failure. in the experience that your oil continues to be on the ideal point yet is grimy and undesirable smelling (will scent burnt new stuff smells candy), it is nevertheless working, yet no longer besides. that's thinner by using this time and could no longer lubricate the interior aspects top. while you're oil is brown in shade yet possible see by using it, get a tranny flush and it is going to be superb. if the oil is burnt and has black debris suspended in it, take carry of harm has already took place in the transmission. attempt topping up the fluid, taking it for a astonishing effortless force and make beneficial it shifts superb up and down by using all 5 gears, if so purely replace the fluid. if the fluid is crowned up, yet moving is a controversy, there is harm already accomplished.

Answer 4

Check the following web site. It may have some information that is helpful....Good Luck...
http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html