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2006 Dodge Caravan Disabling Torque Converter Lockup

5.6K views 20 replies 6 participants last post by  hansff  
I have a 2006 base Caravan with the 2.4. It has developed a tendency to buck at highway speed when the load slightly increases, like going up a hill, and I am fairly certain this is the torque converter clutch slipping somewhat. The issue has definitely gotten worse over time, and I would just like to disable torque converter lockup. I used the instructions from "Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge Four-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Disabling" (I can't post links in my first post) on how to disable lockup, following the simpler version with just two relays.

So far it did not work. As soon as I open my "torque converter lockup" switch, it immediately sets a LR solenoid circuit code, even sitting at a standstill in drive. I don't see how that is possible, because the LR interrupter relay should still be unenergized, providing a LR solenoid circuit path. Before I dive into this anymore, I want to see if anyone else has attempted this. This is a 40TE, not a 41TE and over 10 years newer than the transmission that the guy used in that post (a '94) so it is likely something has changed. Is it still even possible to make this work? I don't want to waste all of this time messing around to find out that a failure of the torque converter to lockup puts the transmission in limp mode.

Any experience or advise is appreciated.
What is this diagnosis based on?
I have a 2011 Chrysler 200 with the 2.4L engine (NON-PZEV). When I bought it at 95K miles, it also did this.
It was worn-out spark plugs.
My engine takes copper plugs and they have a 32K mile service life.
The PZEV engine, which my wife has, takes platinum plugs that have a 104K mile service life.
I'm convinced from the appearance that my plugs were the original. The gap was over .080 inches and they were visibly worn. Someone either mistakenly thought the car had 104K mile service interval, or they just neglected it.
Changing the plugs immediately cured this problem.
When were your plugs last changed, and what is the service interval?
 
owns 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited
The 2006 2.4L does take Platinum plugs (Champion RE14PMPB). I thought about a misfire causing this also.
A misfire should also set a fault code & turn on the 'Ck eng' light.
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All 2006 2.4L engines take platinum? Because there are PZEV and non-PZEV versions in 2011, and the non-versions take copper plugs every 32K miles.
Mine never set a code or a CEL. It just skipped under light load at highway speed on a slight upgrade. I was afraid it was the transmission at first, but it was the plugs. Anyway, very easy to check.
 
owns 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited
Exactly - check the plug type in the car against what is called out in reference guides. And the gaps.
Your symptoms are exactly like what I had. When I gave it more gas and it downshifted, it stopped bucking. And make sure all coil towers are plugged in fully, and that the coil wires are plugged fully into the coil packs. Check the contacts on the plugs for corrosion. I don't believe this is a transmission problem. It's ignition.
 
owns 2011 Chrysler 200 Limited
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