Repair 7

If the transmission is not working as it should in your Dodge Intrepid, then you might be very worried. People have the misconception that when you have issues with a transmission it will be very costly to fix. Simple troubleshooting techniques can be performed even by someone with little mechanical ability. Set aside about two hours to troubleshoot your Dodge Intrepid transmission.

Instructions

1

Look at the ground where you regularly park your Dodge. If you have a puddle of red transmission fluid under your Intrepid, then you have a transmission leak. This is most likely the reason why your transmission is acting up.

2

Lift up the hood on your Dodge and pull out the transmission dipstick. The transmission dipstick is located on the drivers side of the engine. You will see that the dipstick is identified with the word "transmission" on the top of it.

3

Start the engine of your Dodge. Pull out the dipstick and wipe if off with the paper towel. Put the dipstick back in and take it right back out. You will see two different level lines on the dipstick. One will read "full hot" and the other "full cold." Make sure that the fluid level is correct for cold since you have not driven or warmed up the transmission yet. If you have low fluid, then this is the reason for your transmission malfunction.

4

Follow the dipstick tube down to the transmission. Locate any wires connected to the transmission. If you have any broken or disconnected connections, this could be why your Dodge Intrepid transmission is failing.

The Chrysler transmission bump shift describes a condition when Chrysler transmissions shift harshly from one gear to another when downshifting, for example, from fourth to third or third to second gear. It may be simple to fix or require extensive work.

Causes

In some cases, the wrong type of transmission fluid can cause Chrysler transmissions to bump shift. In other cases, it may be a computer malfunction or a problem with the underdrive clutch.

Fluid Replacement

Changing transmission fluid to one of Chryslers recommended types may be enough to solve some bump shift problems. Sometimes, however, the fluid is only a part of the problem and a more complicated fix is required.

Retraining

Sometimes, Chrysler transmissions with bump shift problems need to have the computer retrained to correctly recalibrate the shift points. This requires disconnecting the battery to erase the computers memory and then repeatedly driving the vehicle with steady throttle position as it accelerates through all four gears, then performing kickdowns -- downshifts caused by pushing the accelerator to the floor -- to help the transmission relearn the correct shift points.

Rebuilding

When the bump shifts in a Chrysler transmission are the result of a problem with the underdrive clutch, changing the transmission fluid or retraining the transmission will not alleviate the problem. In this case, rebuilding the transmission is required.

When youre driving your car, you tend to get a feel for any mechanical changes in your vehicle that could signal trouble. For example, if you notice that your vehicle is not shifting as smoothly as it used to, it may indicate transmission trouble. When your transmission hesitates or slips, the gears arent moving well. You can often prevent more costly repairs by servicing the transmission.

Instructions

1

Your transmission needs to be checked and serviced every 80,000 miles. You can do this by replacing your transmission fluid or flushing it out. Removing the transmission fluid is vital because this ensures that any debris it has accumulated will be removed. When removing the transmission fluid, you will have to remove the transmission pan, drain it, and then replace the filter and fluid.

2

When you add or replace your transmission fluid, make sure that you fill it up with the correct amount, according to your vehicle manufacturers manual. The transmission fluid lubricates and allows hydraulic pressure to occur in the transmission gears. If the fluid is too old, it wont be able to provide the necessary lubrication. Check the levels by looking at the transmission gauge. Examine the fluid and note its consistency. It should have a pinkish hue to it. If it has a dark red color, the fluid is should be replaced.

3

Transmission additives can help keep your transmission from slipping. Several companies make transmission additives, but you will need to make sure that the additives are compatible with your transmission.

4

Keep an eye on our RPM gauge when driving. If RPMs are higher than usual and your vehicle is laboring as it shifts gears, it indicates a transmission problem. Many vehicles made after the year 2000 have a transmission module box in the engine. The codes in this module box can be scanned at an automotive repair shop to give a more definitive answer to what is making your transmission slip.

Called standard transmissions, from the days when they were issued standard on all vehicles, manual transmissions are easily identified because they are smaller than automatics and are shifted manually. Automakers offered a variety of manual transmissions, each with their own identification features.

General

A standard transmission will have the shifter linkage attached directly to the top of the transmission. On floor-shifter models, the stick shift will be part of the transmission and for column shifters, the linkage will lead to the transmission. Automatic transmissions are much larger and will have a removable pan on the bottom.

Variations

Standard transmissions can be anywhere from three to six-speeds. Earlier cars and trucks from the 1950s and 1960s usually came equipped with either three or four-speed transmissions, and some were not manufactured by the automaker themselves. Contracted transmission manufacturers, like Borg-Warner, made transmissions for Ford and General Motors. Each manual transmission has its own unique identity features, such as stamped codes, bolt patterns, gear ratios and reverse gear placement.

Differences

Stamped codes may identify the transmission, and at other times may be just a piece of the identification puzzle. General Motors used three basic transmission types, the Borg-Warner, Muncie and Saginaw, and these can be identified by the number of bolts on the cover and by reverse lever placement. On most Fords, counting cover bolts works well, and on the Borg-Warner transmissions code identification is possible

The Ford Taurus automatic may have a stick shift lever on the steering column or it may have a gear shift in the floor. If the gears fail to engage, it could be a problem with the cable or something more serious in the transmission.

Main Reasons

The most likely cause of a stick shift lever failing to engage the automatic transmission will be the gear lever shift cable. The cable can snap over time or become disengaged. In the case of this type of occurrence, the only recourse is to replace the shift cable.

Floor Shift Models

In the case of floor shift models, the same thing can happen, but the cable is fixed in a different fashion. It will likely travel in a horizontal direction from the shift lever to the transmission. If the cable shows signs of resistance it may need a simple adjustment, but again, if snapping occurs, replacing it will be the only option.

Other Possibilities

If the gears will attempt to engage but fail, or you find that you can start your Taurus while it is in a gear other than park, you may need to take your car to an approved mechanic.

Shipping a transmission may seem like a challenging ordeal, but if you pack it correctly and ship with the right company, your transmission should reach its destination. However, you need to complete some steps when packing up the transmission to ensure that the shipping company will agree to take it.

Instructions

1

Drain all fluid from the transmission. Make sure it is completely dry before shipment. Remove unnecessary parts such as the shift console and speedometer drive, and any other parts that may easily be broken during shipment. Place the items in a box and put the box inside of the bellhousing. Firmly attach the box so it will not come loose during shipping.

2

Scrape excessive oil or "goo" from the transmission case using a plastic scraping tool. If you are shipping a complete transmission, place the transmission inside of a crate that has been specifically designed for shipping transmissions. Strap the crate securely to a sturdy pallet. Alternatively, strap the transmission directly to the pallet without using a transmission-specific crate. Write your name, return address and phone number on a shipping label. Secure the label to the crate or directly to the transmission.

3

Contact a reputable shipping company such as FedEx, United Parcel Service or Greyhound PackageXpress to confirm that the company will accept your transmission. Inquire about the estimated time for delivery and consider insuring your shipment.

4

Load the pallet containing your transmission on the back of your vehicle and take the transmission to the shipping company. Back your vehicle up to the loading dock. Ask the shipping company if a forklift driver is available to remove the pallet from the back of your vehicle.

A Suburban transmission mount is a block of rubber, bonded between a metal plate on top and a threaded stud centered on the bottom. The mount fits between the transmission tail-shaft and the cross member. It bolts to the two threaded holes under the transmission tail shaft, and to the bracket on the cross member, with a threaded stud. The transmission mount failure occurs when the rubber gets stretched or becomes separated from the top plate or the threaded stud on the bottom. Even when new, some transmission mounts allow for movement and noise.

Instructions

Remove the Transmission Mount

1

Drive the Suburban onto a set of ramps, and apply the emergency brake.

2

Place blocks on the front and rear side of the rear wheels, to prevent the truck from rolling.

3

Go under the vehicle, using a creeper. Place the tools and hydraulic bottle jack within reach.

4

Remove the two mount bolts on the bottom of the transmission tail shaft, as well as the nut from the threaded stud in the cross member. It may be necessary to hold the rubber mount with a pair of lockjaw pliers, while removing the nut from the cross member.

5

Place a bottle jack under the tail of the transmission, and jack it high enough to remove the old transmission mount.

6

Insert the new transmission mount with the threaded stud through the hole in the cross member bracket.

7

Thread the two top bolts into the tail shaft of the transmission, and tighten.

8

Lower the transmission, centered onto the cross member, with the threaded stud through the cross member bracket, and tighten.

9

Remove the blocks from the rear wheels, and back the vehicle off the ramps.

As automobiles age over the years, they have audible and sometimes visual signs of showing it. One of these signs is a slipping transmission. However, even this can happen to fairly newer cars if certain problems arise. Taking the car to a mechanic seems like the obvious decision, but paying for that mechanic to fix a problem that may or may not be wrong with the car is another story.

Diagnosing Problems

There is no getting around it, replacing a transmission is an expensive option, costing $2,000 or more. But first, the exact problem must be diagnosed. This is where the owner should take the car to the nearest vehicle parts or service shop. Many today will hook the car up to their diagnosing computer system and locate the problem for free if the vehicles dealership will not.

Transmission Repairs

If in fact something is wrong with the transmission, replacing it would probably be too drastic, because a slipping transmission could mean only minor maintenance. How much maintenance needs to be done depends on the age and mileage of the car. If it is still under 80,000 miles, then it is recommended that the transmission fluid and internal filter be changed every 25,000 miles. Failure to do so could result in more transmission problems later in the cars life. If the car has run greater than 80,000 miles and the transmission is slipping or it is shifting erratically, then advice from a specialist could be needed. In this case, changing the transmission fluid would be a bad decision. Since the fluid has stayed in the car for such a long period of time, it is sustaining the car to a certain point and maintaining friction within the transmission. Replacing the fluid could just cause the transmission to slip even more.

Replacing Transmission

If the car has gotten to a certain point that the transmission is no longer pulling its weight, it might need to be replaced. But you cant buy a new transmission. Transmissions are built in the factory and installed in vehicles. The options are to rebuild the original transmission or purchasing a used transmission. Rebuilding the transmission can vary widely in price, based upon the year, make and model of the car and the type of transmission. Purchasing a used transmission can be problematic. There is a chance that the transmission may not work at all for the car. But for the cost of purchasing a used transmission that has been sitting in the junkyard for years, it might be worth the gamble.

The Ford AXOD-E transmission has received more than a fair share of complaints over the years, including continuous stalling, difficulty shifting, sudden complete failure, slipping out of gear and hesitation to engage in gear.

History

The AXOD and AXOD-E transmissions were introduced in 1986 and have endured several problems since their inception. Meltdown of the geartrain is a common problem, usually as a result of too little pressurized oil present in the gearbox. Historically, cracks appearing in the foremost clutch piston are also a common problem, resulting in the vehicle feeling as though it is stuck in neutral.

Time Frame

Problems plagued this transmission from 1986 through 1995, when it was discontinued. In 1995 a Consumer Reports survey showed that almost 20 percent of 1991 Ford Taurus owners experienced some sort of transmission problem in the past year, a figure four times the average for all 1991 vehicle owners.

Prevention/Solution

Many AXOD-E warranties specify that only the first transmission fix is covered, prompting consumer advocacy groups to advise owners to insist that their first repair be a complete transmission replacement, including the transmission upgrades Ford instituted in order to address the many problems experienced by customers.

Reported problems with Kia transmissions include sticking and lagging. According to the website AutoPartsFair, signs of malfunctioning Kia transmissions include oil leaks, burning odors, muddy transmission fluid and unusual sounds when shifting.

Sticking

Some Kia drivers have reported clutch failures resulting in the cars inability to go into gear. According to the website Consumer Affairs, this might be due to improper mounting or grounding of the transmission control unit.

Lagging

Some Kia owners report issues with lagging gears. A lagging gear is defined as the situation occurring when automatic transmissions take more time than usual to shift up or down.

Warnings

Kia owners have reported that dealer follow-through on warranties were not what they had expected. Warranties vary based on model and other factors, it is important to understand precisely what your warranty covers before making a purchase.