Allpar Forums banner

03 T&C goes into limp mode and throws engine codes

207 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by  ImperialCrown
My 2003 Town and Country with roughly 180,000 miles does some pretty hard shifts between 2 and 3, and 3 and 4. It will also vibrate around 25/30 mph, right where the 2 to 3 shift is, if you hover around that speed and don't accelerate though the shift. When I first got it around 5,000 miles ago, the transmission was mostly fine. I had to replace one of the axles (and made sure to properly top it off with atf+4!) However, now if I drive it around hilly areas, it'll eventually go into limp mode on the the 2 to 3 shift, and then it keeps acting up until I park it overnight.

It's throwing a P1776 for the overdrive solenoid AKA the solenoid switch valve latch in the low/reverse position
And a general P0700 for the transmission control system
A P0731 for gear 1 ratio incorrect
And finally P0846 for the transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch b circuit range

The shifts might be hard, but no grinding, and I've only had it momentarily slip once or twice on the coldest days of the winter trying to leave my house.

I'm prepared to need to seek out a replacement, but before I jump to that, I wanna see if anyone can explain these codes to me better, and maybe it's something simple(ish) like the solenoid pack? Or it could just be super gummed up, not sure the last owner did a very good job with maintenance.

Any help is appreciated, feel free to ask any questions that might help!
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Welcome to Allpar. I would drop the transaxle pan for an inspection at what is in the pan bottom & on the chip magnet. Replace the filter & fluid.
Be careful about fluids that say they are compatible with ATF+4. The Walmart SuperTech meets Chrysler MS-9602 (it even smells like the Mopar stuff), Castrol TransMax ATF+4 does not.
The clutches may tolerate a couple of slipping episodes, but won't withstand it for long. Harsh shifting does the drivetrain no favors. If this transaxle is salvageable, don't wait.
Font Motor vehicle Electric blue Technology Advertising


No mention of meeting MS-9602. I found out the hard way. It doesn't have that unmistakeable ATF+4 odor either.
I had a torque converter lock-up shudder that wasn't there before the fluid & filter change. It had me doubting myself.
Font Screenshot Document Number Pattern
See less See more
2
Welcome to Allpar. I would drop the transaxle pan for an inspection at what is in the pan bottom & on the chip magnet. Replace the filter & fluid.
Be careful about fluids that say they are compatible with ATF+4. The Walmart SuperTech meets Chrysler MS-9602 (it even smells like the Mopar stuff), Castrol TransMax ATF+4 does not.
The clutches may tolerate a couple of slipping episodes, but won't withstand it for long. Harsh shifting does the drivetrain no favors. If this transaxle is salvageable, don't wait.
View attachment 95806

No mention of meeting MS-9602. I found out the hard way. It doesn't have that ATF+4 odor.
View attachment 95805
I will make sure to double check that on the fluid I used! If I remember correctly, I think I went Mobil, but I'd have to go look. Luckily I already bought a new gasket/filter so I should be all set to check for metal flakes in the pan, see if there's any major damage.

Is there anything else I'd want to visually look for when I have the pan down? If everything's looking all good in the pan and a fluid change doesn't eliminate the problem, what culprits should I be looking for next?
Mobil makes the real ATF+4.
Rectangle Font Parallel Screenshot Number
See less See more
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Top