I am having a problem with my '03 300M. When I am slowing down from a 4th gear (highway) speed, it suddenly SLAMS into 2nd gear and goes into "limp mode".

Also, just putting around town, it will downshift normally when coming to a stop, and then suddenly jerk really hard and die, but it seems only after the car has warmed up. If I slip it into neutral as I stop, it is fine. If I DON'T put it in neutral AND it DOESN'T die, then the tranny slips when I take off. Again, only after the car warms up.

My car is giving me a P0700 error code, which I know points to the transmission computer, I was just hoping that someone could give me an idea of what it could be.

Thanks in advance.

 

you need to use a real scanner and get into the trans computer data/codes. PCM codes are too generic. However, the problems you are describing are indicative of an internal trans failure. The computer will not cause slipping. Shifting problems yes, but not slipping.

 

concur

 

Thanks guys. Is it also normal for the problems to occur only after my transmission warms up, but runs fine for the first 10-20 minutes of driving?

 

How many miles on that car? When is the last time the transmission fluid was changed?
A problem that shows up when the fluid is warmed up but not when cold COULD (possibly) be related to old ratty fluid.

 

'ratty' fluid probably not, plugged filter... likely, BUT when things get hot, they expand and then problems occur. You could always do a fluid/filter but that's not likely going to solve the problem. it may have a positive affect but surely not the absolute cure.

 

Thanks guys. I suppose I'll be making a trip into the shop after I get my tax refund. I am assuming that it will cost no less than $1500 when I hear the word "transmission" and "computer will not cause slipping". I'll let you all know what I find out in the next few weeks.

 

Any news? I'm intersted in hearing what the cause and the fix was.

 

Hey guys, sorry about the long delay. I finally took it into my Chrysler dealer, they pulled a code P0700, cleared it, and then it popped back on again. They then told me, take it to a transmission shop, your tranny needs to be overhauled.

I took it into the tranny shop last Thursday, today is Wednesday. The mechanic has been trying to get things squared away with my warranty company (thank God I bought that extended warranty with the car, let's just hope it covers my problem).

The mechanic has pulled some transmission codes that indicate 1.Bad Solenoid Valve Switch and 2.Bad Reverse Switch, or something like that. He did tell me that most of the time, failure of these parts is caused by metal shavings from the tranny plugging them up. He won't know for sure until he gets into the tranny and looks, but he can't do that until my warranty company approves it.

I will let you know what happens as soon as I find out.