I recently changed out my drivers side CV axle on my 2008 T&C touring 3.6 and it drove fine for about 20 miles afterwards and then wife called and reported that it began to stop moving forward while in Drive. After pulling over I met up with her and found that the shifter moved fine between all gears (Park, Revere, Neutral, & Drive) however nothing was engaging. I towed it back home and ensured that the CV axle didn't slip out and after getting it installed back in I found that it engaged briefly but then failed again.

I believe that it's a type 62TE transmission and the vehicle has about 170,000 miles. I never changed the trans fluid and it seemed to be at an ok level and color. Are these symptoms and description enough to confirm that the transmission is shot or is there something else that I can check? Could I have caused this when I replaced the CV axle?

 

I couldn't determine from your posting if indeed the inner joint had popped out of the trans, or how you changed it as to not have loss of trans oil. If you lost oil from either time and did not "top up", yes it could be a matter of not enough oil.As to internal damage possibly being done...that would only be told by dropping the trans pan and checking for metal debris.

 

I second REBEL59's suggestion to make sure you have enough fluid in you transmission.

Please note that if your van is a 2008 your engine will either be a 3.3L or 3.8L (or possibly a 4.0L), the 3.8L and 4.0L have the six speed 62TE transmission, but the 3.3L has the four speed 41TES transmission. If your transmission has a dip stick it is the four speed.

 

Thanks George and Rebel - it is indeed a 3.8 (my original 3.6 was a typo) and only has the 'dealer use only' opening and I do recall that, when I changed the axle, no fluid came out so now I'm suspecting that it could have been low to begin with. I hate to ask this but, if the fluid is low, would that actually prevent the gears from engaging? I just always figured it was like motor oil and, if low, it would just cause overheating and premature stress on the moving parts (not good) but they wouldn't actually stop engaging...

So I'd like to top it off just as a test - is there any significant risk if I happen to overfill it with ATF+4 or equivalent fluid?

 

In any auto trans the oil in it is what transfers the power of the engine thru to the drive wheels...NOT there for lubrication only!
From what you post, NO it won't cause any more harm to add a QUART of ATF+4 oil to the trans. It is a rather awkward process to proper check the fill level, IF adding a quart gets the car moving again...Get it to a reputable independent shop for having the trans. "serviced". I mean by that to have the bottom pan removed and checked for any internal debris and a new filter(yes it has one) and proper refill of ATF+4. They should also recheck your prior axle shaft work for you as it will be "up in the air" on a lift.
Good Luck !

 

Well, I added another quart of trans oil and the shifting hasn't improved. So I put an add on Craigslist and I'll see what someone will offer for it. Thanks for the assistance though - I feel better after giving it a final shot.