01 sebring hard downshift
 

i have a 2001 sebring convertable with the 2.7 and an auto trans. I replaced the engine with an 07 15k miles ago. it has 83k on it and the trans was serviced 15k ago. My wife complained about it shifting strange. I checked it was 2 quarts low. i filled it. it will down shift into first when decelerating so hard the car stutters. putting fluid in it helped some but not completly. it works and shifts fine going down the road. any ideas.

RE: 01 sebring hard downshift
 

First question is why is it 2 quarts low of fluid? Is there a leak you can see? Spots on the driveway? Two quarts is a lot of fluid. Are you sure that the fluid you put in is the right stuff? Wrong fluid can create havoc.
The solenoid pack on these models is often responsible for both leaks and shifting problems. It's located on the front of the transmission underneath the air cleaner and is fairly easy to replace by someone who knows what he is doing. You might consider having that looked at.

RE: 01 sebring hard downshift
 

I found this site while surfing the problem http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.htmlit is a good mopar site. the leak is from the pan gasket and the solenoid. The fluid it the sythetic castor +4. I will first look for loose ground, then I will replace the solenoid. the car shifts fine otherwise so I do not think it is a sensor.

RE: 01 sebring hard downshift
 

also there are no codes, no check engine light.

RE: 01 sebring hard downshift
 

As long as you're fooling around down there, you might as well replace the transmission cooler lines. It's relatively easy and inexpensive. After 8 years, they are probably getting pretty hard and old. You'll have to pull the left headlight to get at the upper clamps, but with the light out, it's a clear shot. Replace the clamps while you're at it.