15 Feb 2013
I have a 1998 Caravan with a 3.3V6 and the 41TE transaxle and about 178k miles on the van. Last summer the transmission went out and I got a used one to put in it. I’ve put about 12 thousand miles on it since then, we put about 500 miles a week on it, almost all of which are highway miles.
I try to make a habit of checking all the fluids, but a couple of weeks ago it started acting up, and when I checked the fluid, it was not registering on the stick. I put almost a quart and a half to get it back up to level. So now to the real issue. When we are driving, usually with the cruise control on, the engine surges. Actually, the speedometer drops and the engine RPMs increase to compensate for the speed loss. Only there is no real speed loss. I’ve noticed this more when we are on an incline and it requires more power. It has gotten more frequent and it happens without the cruise control when I hold the throttle steady.
I worry about two things. First is, I have no clue where the fluid went to. I have been watching it like a hawk, and found no leaks and the level has not dropped in the last 600 miles or so. The fluid does not smell burned, but I’m wondering if changing the fluid will help or make a difference.
The second is that while I don’t know all the intricacies of the 41TE, I do know there are two speed sensors, the input and output. It seems I’ve read they caused similar problems for others, and I’m hoping to get some suggestions on what I should do. I see a few options:
2. Change the fluid and filter, then clean the sensors.
You guys really helped me when I swapped the transmission, and I want to thank you all in advance for any advice you may have now.
Thanks. Clay
I have a 1998 Caravan with a 3.3V6 and the 41TE transaxle and about 178k miles on the van. Last summer the transmission went out and I got a used one to put in it. I’ve put about 12 thousand miles on it since then, we put about 500 miles a week on it, almost all of which are highway miles.
I try to make a habit of checking all the fluids, but a couple of weeks ago it started acting up, and when I checked the fluid, it was not registering on the stick. I put almost a quart and a half to get it back up to level. So now to the real issue. When we are driving, usually with the cruise control on, the engine surges. Actually, the speedometer drops and the engine RPMs increase to compensate for the speed loss. Only there is no real speed loss. I’ve noticed this more when we are on an incline and it requires more power. It has gotten more frequent and it happens without the cruise control when I hold the throttle steady.
I worry about two things. First is, I have no clue where the fluid went to. I have been watching it like a hawk, and found no leaks and the level has not dropped in the last 600 miles or so. The fluid does not smell burned, but I’m wondering if changing the fluid will help or make a difference.
The second is that while I don’t know all the intricacies of the 41TE, I do know there are two speed sensors, the input and output. It seems I’ve read they caused similar problems for others, and I’m hoping to get some suggestions on what I should do. I see a few options:
- Pull the sensors out one at a time, clean them off and put them back in, see if that makes a difference.
2. Change the fluid and filter, then clean the sensors.
- Change the fluid and filter, then swap the sensors from the old transmission.
- Change the fluid and filter, and purchase a new sensor, or sensors.
You guys really helped me when I swapped the transmission, and I want to thank you all in advance for any advice you may have now.
Thanks. Clay