Troubleshooting tips: Narrowing down the reasons for a no-shift situation
A customer brought their 2013 Ram 1500 equipped with a 5.7L/65RFE powertrain to our shop in Omaha, Nebraska, with a complaint that it “will not shift at times.” A quick scan of the truck revealed a P0750 (Low/Reverse Solenoid Circuit) code. I took the vehicle for a road test and was able to duplicate the
Debris, Melted Insulation Cause Two Codes to Set
About two months ago a customer brought in his 2006 Ford E350 Econoline van equipped with a 5.4L engine and a 4R75E transmission for an evaluation. His concern was that the check-engine light was on and the transmission seemed to shift hard at times. We always begin our evaluation with a battery and charging system test with a Midtronics electrical system analyzer, and we scan all modules for codes using a Snap-on Verus Pro if we are not using an OE scan tool. After a quick visual inspection of the vehicle and checking the engine oil level, we will proceed with the road-test.
Overdrive Solenoid Déjà vu All Over Again
About a month ago a customer came into our shop with a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country equipped with a 4.0 liter V6 engine and a 62TE transmission. He was complaining that it had a whining noise, and sometimes it would not shift and seemed to stay in the same gear. When the vehicle was hooked to the scan tool it had a code for the overdrive solenoid control circuit (P0760). The fluid was at the correct level and smelled like normal fluid; however, it was dark purple indicating possible metal contamination.
Rats! Foiled Again!
We had a 1998 Ford Contour come into the shop with a transmission wiring harness that had been completely chewed up by mice. I mean every wire in this harness had exposed copper running the length of the harness for at least two feet in one spot, and I can recall at least 10 wires shorting out against each other, causing multiple codes and drivability issues. I asked myself why this mouse (or these mice) would choose to feast on this poor, unsuspecting wiring harness?
Mr. DIY Ninja fails to master intricate wiring
One typical Tuesday a customer brought his 09G-equipped 2004 VW Beetle into our shop early in the morning. He stated that his 6 speed automatic transmission “… jerks on downshifts when warm, and the engine revs up on upshifts while driving on the highway. It also slams into gear on occasion.” Sounds like a fun one, so I prepared to duplicate, verify, and diagnose the issue.
Hard Shift Remains after Reset of Shift Adapts
We recently received a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, with a 09A five-speed automatic, with a complaint that it would not move. I determined that the fluid was burnt and black, indicating an internal failure. The check engine light was on and it had codes 00652 – gear monitoring not a plausible signal intermittent; 01045 – Tiptronic switch (F189) not a plausible signal intermittent; and 18032 – MIL request signal active (check TCM for errors) P1624. I drove the vehicle, and the transmission would slip and whine for about a block and then the vehicle would quit moving.
Don’t Overlook the Flex Plate
In the early 2000s, I was working as a transmission technician for a Dodge dealership in Omaha. I had been working there around five years. A customer brought in a 1998 Dodge Caravan equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 and a 41TE (604) transmission. The customer complained that the vehicle had no power. He thought it was a transmission issue, so the Caravan was routed to me for diagnosis.
