[[Censored]Cruiser]

I have an 03 dream cruiser that is stuck in Limp mode. I've reset it and cleaned all transmission relay connectors.
It'll run but won't come out of that safety mode. Please help

 

[Doug D]

First place to start is to have the transmission scanned for fault codes.

 

[MillennialMopar]

There are a number of knowledgeable people on this forum who will help guide you in the right direction. Good luck solving this issue. The more information and codes you can give on here the better luck finding a solution.

 

[valiant67]

There are many fault codes that will put the transmission in limp mode, without knowing the codes it can just be a guess which leads to parts swapping.
A cheap OBDII code reader may provide enough codes to get started with this.
Does the transmission always stay in limp mode after a rest or does it start shifting then drop into limp mode?

 

[chuzz]

First place I'd look is at all of the ground connections on the drivers side fender. There's at least 7 ground connections behind the air box/battery on that fender. Corrosion happens there because of battery gases and we get strange behaviors from the vehicle. Remove and clean EVERY one of those wires and check for breakage on each one. If not that, then try removing the connector from the transmission control module and cleaning it. You'll have to take out the battery, air box and battery tray to get a good shot at it, but it's not that bad. Give those things a try as all it'll cost you is some time. MAYBE one or the other will help.

 

[[Censored]Cruiser]

First place to start is to have the transmission scanned for fault codes.

P0700
P0480 - not worried about this one im replacing my fan if i can get it running. I replaced the thermostat and radiator already. All parts were original same with the fan.

 

[[Censored]Cruiser]

There are many fault codes that will put the transmission in limp mode, without knowing the codes it can just be a guess which leads to parts swapping.
A cheap OBDII code reader may provide enough codes to get started with this.
Does the transmission always stay in limp mode after a rest or does it start shifting then drop into limp mode?

Takes about 50-100ft. Happens every time its turned off then on again

 

[Gerry G]

The P0700 is a general transmission code that will set the check engine lamp. A scan of the transmission codes is needed to determine the actual transmission diagnostic code that is triggering the P0700. You will need a scanner capable of pulling the transmission codes. A number of auto parts store are able to pull the trans codes and give you a printout.

 

[ImperialCrown]

Correct. The P0700 is just the PCM telling you that A TCM code is stored. It gives us no direction to go in.
We need the code that is stored in the TCM.
Try another, more capable OBD2 scan tool or try to retrieve codes in the odometer display using the cluster self test (this will not work on all cars):

 

[valiant67]

Unfortunately the P0700 is just a generic transmission code. Hopefully you can get access to a more sophisticated scanner.
I’m just guessing, but if it starts off in first gear then quickly drops into limp mode I’d be concerned it may be a mechanical problem rather than an electrical one.,

 

[[Censored]Cruiser]

Unfortunately the P0700 is just a generic transmission code. Hopefully you can get access to a more sophisticated scanner.
I’m just guessing, but if it starts off in first gear then quickly drops into limp mode I’d be concerned it may be a mechanical problem rather than an electrical one.,

Its supposed to be decent here this weekend. I plan on limping it to a store with a scanner. Ill also do my grounds under fds quarter panel. I looked today and wow.....wasnt about to get into it today....

 

[Gerry G]

It may be beneficial to drop the transmission pan and inspect for debris. A black slimy film on the pan is ok as is a fuzzy magnet. Chunks of metal are not ok. Change out the filter and refill with ATF+4 only (4.5 to 5 quarts).

 

[[Censored]Cruiser]

Correct. The P0700 is just the PCM telling you that A TCM code is stored. It gives us no direction to go in.
We need the code that is stored in the TCM.
Try another, more capable OBD2 scan tool or try to retrieve codes in the odometer display using the cluster self test (this will not work on all cars):

Correct. The P0700 is just the PCM telling you that A TCM code is stored. It gives us no direction to go in.
We need the code that is stored in the TCM.
Try another, more capable OBD2 scan tool or try to retrieve codes in the odometer display using the cluster self test (this will not work on all cars):

Just tried this and it gave me the two codes already present. But their is other letters and numbers.

What are they and how would i get a read out(or close to) of what they are?

Is there a name for those codes?

It may be beneficial to drop the transmission pan and inspect for debris. A black slimy film on the pan is ok as is a fuzzy magnet. Chunks of metal are not ok. Change out the filter and refill with ATF+4 only (4.5 to 5 quarts).

Yup very familiar with atf4 lol had a few ram 1500.....another Chrysler/Dodge DO NOT BUY nightmare of a vehicle

 

[ImperialCrown]

You may also see displays of the cluster software version & other cluster info show up in the odometer.
What is displayed?
The TCM may still need interrogation with a capable scan tool.

 

[MillennialMopar]

another Chrysler/Dodge DO NOT BUY nightmare of a vehicle

I think alot of people here would disagree. Good luck fixing your cruiser. If not, those "shittycruisers" are still worth something.

 

[valiant67]

It is an almost 20 year old car. Some repairs are to be expected.

 

[ImperialCrown]

At this age, any component failure has to be considered 'maintenance'.
By 2003, the 41TE was considered just as reliable as any other manufacturer's automatic transaxle.

 

[AllanC]

. . . . The TCM may still need interrogation with a capable scan tool. . . . .

By model year 2003 the 4 cylinder engines were using the NGC / next generation controller. The TCM / transmission control module logic was integrated with the engine controller logic / PCM. Any rudimentary scan tool that can retrieve engine codes should also display transmission diagnostic codes???

 

[[Censored]Cruiser]

It may be beneficial to drop the transmission pan and inspect for debris. A black slimy film on the pan is ok as is a fuzzy magnet. Chunks of metal are not ok. Change out the filter and refill with ATF+4 only (4.5 to 5 quarts).

Fixed it......turns out it just needed a filter and fluid change, hopefully. Either way limp modes off. Thats all i needed accomplished Thanx for all the advice and input.....

 

[Gerry G]

Fixed it......turns out it just needed a filter and fluid change, hopefully. Either way limp modes off. Thats all i needed accomplished Thanx for all the advice and input.....

Thanks for the follow-up. Appreciate knowing what was helpful.