Expert: Roland Finston - 6/18/2011

Question
My 2002 Chrysler concorde limited went into limp mode and Autozone gave me three codes as P0700, P0871, and P1776. They tried to sell me a speed sensor to fix it but wanted some advice on that? I was thinking it may be more serious, but after the car is parked for aiwhile it will shift fine and drive fine but eventually go back to limp mode? Help?

Answer
Hi David,
The 0700 is just an alert to the presence of a specific fault code of the transmission.
The 1776 says that the solenoid switch valve, located in the valve body inside the transmmsion is latched in the low/reverse position. This almost always requires that the valve body be removed and corrected for the problem. Fortunately it can be done by dropping the pan, removing the filter, and removing the range switch, so removal and rebuilding is not required.
The 0871 says that the OD pressure switch sense circuit is open at the wrong time. If instead of an 0871 you actually had an 0841 (which is about the lower/reverse sense switch) then the two codes would be linked and investigating the wiring of the sense switch and possibly trying only to change out the solenoid/pressure switch assembly if the wiring were good would be the way to go before doing anything about the valve body, in the theory that the sense switch was causing a false 1776. So you might want to re-verify if indeed an 0871 is present. If it is, then you might nonetheless first replace the solenoid pack which is externally mounted, and then if the problem persists do the valve body removal and repair.
I trust that you have checked the fluid level to be correct. Also note the color of the fluid and check wwhether it smells burnt.  You might, if questionable, want to do a power flush and fluid replacememt if so.  And you might want to inspect the wiring plugs and wire harnesses at the transmission for any signs of damage.
Then do a solenoid pack replacement, and assess if the limp continues. Then if it does drop the pan and check why the solenoid valve is stuck in LR.
In any case, I see nothing related to either speed sensor.
Of course you might do well to find an independent (non-franchise) transmission shop that knows the Chrysler etax and see what they advise after you tell them the codes and my suggestions.
Roland
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