97 dodge caravan transmission problem

From : mubtar

Q: hello i have 97 dodge caravan se 3.0l 3 speed transmission 125k miles changed tranmission oil/filter every two years. for last few days when i stop and then accelerate the gear starts at 2nd gear. but if i reverse or put the gear to neutral and then to drive it starts from 1st gear as it should. today it was fine and no problem. i took to couple of shops and they said it needs transmission overhaul $700... also i got conflicting information i.e. one said he needs to attach a scanner and wants to charge $70 to diaganose. while other said since this is 3 speed and not overdrive so this is not electronic transmission and no need to attach scanner to check this out. q who is right q has anyone have this problem if so what is the solution q if i had to overhaul the transmission should i change torque convertor as well. q if i keep driving like this will i break something that would cost me more.... how long should i keep driving thanks very much for your help! .

Replies:

From : catherine jemma no spamcatherine jemma no spam

sorry folks to be posting on the not-quite-appropriate group.....but hey youre all dodge family guys here anyway although im in australia a us friend of mine is buying a low-ish milage used dodge neon car im guessing that this is almost the same as the one marketed here in small numbers as a chrysler neon is just wanting to do a bit of research on the groups re neon cars but with my reader function anyway ive had no luck finding any if there is a dodge/chrysler neon car group out there can someone please tell me where to find it thanks catherine .

From : catherine jemma no spam

hi guys calling from australia here just cause i happen to be on this ng anyway i dont know what a dodge caravan is for certain but i believe that its a midsized passenger van doesnt matter anyway your vehicle is 6 years old and even if well looked after etc it could well be coming upto that kinda time when a full trans overhaul is called for youd normally expect more than 125 k miles from a tranny but perhaps a lot of city driving or towing a trailer etc that said it could run for another few years with just that minor annoying hiccup you mention ive known of another car with auto trans with the same defect you mention however it would never select first stage on its own so the owner simply drove the car as a semi-automatic. selecting 1 on the gear shifter when starting off at traffic lights etc then later changing to 2 / d when they got a bit of speed up another point if youre likely to be spending $ 700 on a full overhaul then paying $ 70 for a diagnosis beforehand seems a bit pointless often if you/re getting an overhauled engine/transmission you may be getting an exchange unit so you are not getting your original one back anyway this way the workshop/garage can have your car in and out inside of a day as common models of engines and transmissions can be available in stock already overhauled hope this helps catherine outback western australia .