Expert: Roland Finston - 1/29/2012

Question
QUESTION: Hello I have a 2002 Chrysler T&C minivan. The transmission will not shift out of first gear code reads p700 replaced solenoid, speed sensor..no good. We then replaced the TCM it ran and shifted fine for a couple miles. Once stopped and started again it will not shift out of first and all the gear lights are lit as if to be in all gears. It also house some jerking with acceleration as if it wants to go in gear but will not shift. Any suggestions of what could be wrong we are at wits end? Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Susan,
There are several dozen specific transmission fault codes, one of which may be stored in the memory of the tcm. The 0700 is non-specific (it only says there is another specific code stored) so if you can try to get at it with a plug-in reader, via the socket under the dash by the steering column, that has a better access to the memory that would be the next step to solving this with the least amount of cost. So let me know if you have tried that more detailed readout approach or not since replacing the tcm.
For the record, exactly what have you replaced already besides the tcm?
Often a nationwide parts store like Autozone will do a free readout so call ahead and see if that is the case. An independent shop may charge about $40 for a readout. Get the 4-digit fault code, ask the title of it, what it means and what they recommend. Then let me know and we can compare that to what the shop manual says.
All the gear lights being 'on' may be due to the issue of the transmission or it could be an issue with the instrument cluster. To test the latter, simply press and hold the trip odometer reset button (with the key in the off position) until you see the word 'sof' appears in the odometer window, then release the button. Then watch for a 4 digit number with a decimal point to show in the window and if not then the word 'end' will appear. Let me know what you find.  If only 'end' appears there is nothing wrong with the cluster gear indicator and so we still need to get the fault code out of the TCM memory.
Roland

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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for the info. Yes we replaced the TCM,solenoid,& speed sensor. We did check the instrument cluster as you instructed. Here are the codes it give us .sof , 4.1, 100.1,100.3, 100.4, 100.5, 100.6 & 400.1. When we put the new TCM in there is no diagnostic code with plug in reader only p1684 ( the battery). Do you think the new TCM is defective or could just be the instrument cluster codes we are getting? Thank you!

Answer
Hi Susan.
The codes mean:
100.1 ABS communication fault
100.3 ETAX  "          "
  .4 FCM    "          "
  .5 ORC    "          "
  .6 SBEC/DEC/MCM "     "
400.1 Manual doesn't show this fault. All the acronym above are separate modules that communicate with oneanother by digital signals over a connected network called 'bus'.
Basically the cluster isn't getting any of the data it needs to operate via the "PCI Bus"
To me it looks like there is no digital data (PCI bus is what carries the data) getting to the cluster as it should on the white/violet wire on pin 9 of the cluster's plug. That wire should be found to be connected to pin 5 of the diagnostic junction plug under the dash by the steering column (so check that out first to begin) and from there the same wire is sent to the front control module (fcm at the power box under the hood), the tcm, the abs controller, heater controller, air bag controller, body controller, powertrain controller, etc.
So first off be sure the wire is connected, and also check that the solder joint between the pin 9 socket at the cluster and the circuit board of the cluster proper for the possibility that pin is not experiencing a 'cold' joint (i.e.disconnected), and you do that by heating that joint with a soldering pencil to re-establish the connection between the pin and the circuit board. Once you are sure that the connection from the diagnostic junction plug all the way to the circuit board of the cluster is patent, and if the cluster still doesn't work then the problem is somewhere else in the PCI bus "tree" itself.
The reason for the problem can best be found using a Chrysler Diagnostic Readout Box III in the hands of a trained mechanic. I have the 2 page troubleshoot and can share that with you if you would like to have it. Once you have this sorted out you are then going to see it the trans is also now working properly and if not can you then get a fault code for it other than 0700. I doubt the new TCM is bad, it appears to me that the PCI bus is at the center of the problem, but starting at the cluster is the way to determine if/when you have the PCI bus back in service.
So unfortunately you may have a two step repair process to go through.
You didn't say who you have been working with, but clearly this needs a sharp electronics tech familiar with the Chrysler system's details and has a good enough box to communicate with the PCI bus to locate the cause of the problem.
Roland
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