2002 Voyager with 112K.
Recently the transmission started bumping when changing down when you come to a stop, not harsh but certainly noticeable. When speeding up it kind of hesitates before it makes up its mind to change into top gear. When driving at a constant speed at about 50 and 55 it feels like it cannot decide between 3rd and 4th, almost like when the engine is missing badly.

I stopped at the dealer and they inspected the transmission and recommended $2000 worth of a transmission flush, oil change and new filter, new transmission solenoid - and berated me for not having the transmission serviced at 100K. That last thing really pissed me off because I have been taking the vehicle to the same dealer I purchased it from since day 1 at 3000 mile intervals, they should be cracked over the head for not doing it.

Anyway that price sounds heavy to me, parts are about $100 for oil + filter and $170 for the solenoid, can labor be that much???

I bought the oil and parts and decided to do it myself, I drive a 2003 Land Rover Discovery and do all the maintenance myself, including servicing the transmission.

I heard that the Chrysler tranny is touchy, so before I **** things up I thought I would stop by here and get some tips or opinions about changing the tranny oil. I did get the genuine Mopar ATF+4 and filter from the dealer and I will change the solenoid after I have changed the oil.
Draining the oil and replacing the filter replaces about 50% of the tranny oil, how do you deal with the rest? Drive around the block and then drain+fill again? Or remove return hose from oil cooler and let it drain while the engine idles in drive while you top up the tranny? I read about the last one here: http://www.allpar.com/eek/atf.html

 

Forgot to mention it's a 2.4l 4 cyl with a 4 speed auto.

 

I also have an oil leak around the solenoid area, I cleaned everything and then checked later and the oil leak is around the solenoid gasket area. The hoses look fine, they are flexible and there are no signs of any leaks where they attach to the tranny or oil cooler.

 

labor for the solenoid is .8 of an hour and trans pan service is about 220 total so yes 2k is out of there mind but I dont see them charging u 2k for what U said there has to be more to it.

 

Nope, the quote was for a chemical flush to remove glazing in the transmission (is that BS?), flush and fill trans + new filter, replace solenoid and reset computer.
They charged me 2k for a timing belt change at 90k miles, replaced belts and water pump at that time as well - I thought this was high as well but went ahead with it.
They also quoted me nearly 3k on replacing all 4 shocks, steering rack, lower swing arm, bushings, rear brakes and brake fluid flush. In total it was just under 5k for the trans service and the rest. I think they are totally out of their mind... I can buy a whole new van for that amount.

 

OK, let's forget about the charges and look at the trans oil change. What steps do you recommend?

 

do just the pan service that's all


ahhh still something is wrong a timing belt is 2.2 hours and all the parts should not run u more then 400 bucks I can see 1000 tops for a timing belt and normal belts

 

Just an update, I flushed the radiator and filled with new Mopar coolant and changed the tran oil filter and filled up with new Mopar ATF+4.
The water temp gauge has dropped from being just under 1/2 to now sitting just above 3/8 and the tranny is shifting real well, no more bumps on the down shift and no more hesitation on the up shifts.