Expert: Roland Finston - 10/27/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2001 Chrysler Concorde, it has a 2.7 litre V6. After removing the 3 bolts from the starter to the transmission, is there any other major components that have to be removed before the starter can be removed.

ANSWER: Hi Sarah,
I have the '98 manual which adds the following steps:
remove one nut from catalyst support bracket
remove two nuts to catalyst support bracket mounting
remove the two wiring connectors to the motor (of course prior to that disconnecting the battery)
remove two bolts and one nut to starter heat shield
then remove the three bolts from the starter/transaxle housing connection (already done)
remove the starter from the transaxle
rotate starter solenoid toward engine block and slide rear of starter motor out between catalyst and engine mount
that should allow removal entirely.
I can't be certain the procedure is the same for '01 but give it a try.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The starter went on successfully but just a few days later the car then locked itself in second gear (which i believe is called limp mode). I did some research and found that it may have something to do with the overdrive solenoid, your thoughts?

ANSWER: I would try to get a fault code readout at a nationwide autoparts store where they often will do that for free. Then let me know which 4-digit codes it shows and we'll go from there. An independent shop will also do the readout but will probably charge $40. There are many possible reasons for limp mode so we need to know the code number(s).

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I put the car on a scanner and two came up, they are

P0700
TRANSMISSION FAULT
ACTIVE
MIL CODE 137

P0760
OVERDRIVE SOLENOID
SOLENOID CKT
ERROR
MIL CODE 067

Answer
Hi Sarah,
The 0760 is the relevant code. The 0700 is an overall alert to another code being present and is not otherwise relevent unless there is no other code present.
The code says that the overdrive solenoid is not responding electrically when it is requested to by the transmission controller. Aside from the solenoid itself the only other explanation would be a wire problem between the solenoid and the transmission controller. It is a brown wire that runs from pin 4 of the socket on the side of the transmission over to pin 60 at the trans controller plug. With an ohmmeter or continuity testes that wire should be verified.  If that passes then the only fix would be to replace the solenoid/pressure switch pack inside the transmission. Fortunately that only requires dropping the fluid pan on the bottom of the transmission and removing the valve body and then the pack. So the labor/parts cost is much less than rebuilding the transmission due to mechanical damage. I would look for an independent transmission shop that know the Chrysler transmission and is well-regarded by your friends and see if they agree with this approach.
Roland
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