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Have a question about a 4spd auto in an '01 stratus.

What seems to be the problem???

2001 stratus 2.4L 4spd auto (unknown trans model#)

WEIRD stuff:
-rapid fire locking/unlocking of converter in 4th gear at cruise.
-delayed shift ~3k at almost no throttle on occasion
-seems to start off in the wrong gear every now and then- like starting from 3rd
-sometimes no lockup in 4th; or a lockup then unlock, then lock back up over a second or so. Not like the rapid fire locking up.

It isn;t slipping, the fluid is full, smells and looks good.

And sometimes, it runs perfectly.

I'm leaning toward some kind of electrical problem more so than a mechanical problem in the trans. I have no clue what to check, but if it has a lockup solenoid inside it, I'd bet it was that. Maybe a bad throttle positioning sensor, or a bad ECM. Any idea where to go with this one?

The trans is a 41 T series trans, computer controlled 4 speed. You are probably right about the possiblity of it being an electrical issue. The diagnostics on that trans are very good if you have a good scanner. I have the Snap-on Modis and I can scan it for you, find out what the problem is and repair it. Where are you located??

Old Bridge. I'd appreciate it if possible. If not, I'll see what I can do about getting a free scan from Autozone, if they still do them.

See if Auto zone will give you any fault codes that have been stored, but also see if they will check input and output sensors, and the PRNDL switch for proper operation. The common electrical problems with that trans usually come from those sensors. The solenoids are located outside of the trans, right below the fill tube. The solenoid pack is a closed assembly containing 4 solenoids and three pressure switches. The earlier solenoid packs were prone to failure, the problems were addressed by your model year. They still go bad, but more often, the problems associated with solenoid packs are not intermittent. Let me know how you make out, you can call me @ 856-404-1789 Tony

Thanks man.

ATS hit it right on with what he said, but i'll add that these transmissions can act funny with fluid that seems perfectly fine, especially if it's not ATF+3 or ATF+4. I've never seen another company other than dodge create a trans fluid that by itself fixes fundemental flaws in a transmission. When I worked at Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep I saw many times where customers had trans services at an outside shop and they used something like a Dex/Merc fluid and problems arose, only to be fixed by a fluid change.


Is the service engine soon/check engine light on?

Nah, no CEL. I have yet to hook up my scanner to it and see if there is some minor code that wouldn;t trigger the CEL stored in there.

I havent had the wrong gear starting issue again, and it seems like the converter/trans may not be the problem. It feels more like a miss at cruise than anything else, and now I'm leaning toward some kind of problem other than the tranny. I SHOULD be getting far better than 21 MPG with the 4cyl 2.4l, which is leading me away from the trans and more toward a fuel/electrical/ignition issue.

Plugs looked ok when I pulled them, air filter is new, so next step is more trouble shooting.

It could also be the fugazi anti-theft system the previous owner had installed. The ignition won't work unless you disable the system, to allow it to turn over. I checked the wiring on it yesterday, and it looks like a goddamn rat's nest in there. I found a power wire uncapped and just hanging in the engine compartment. I'd just as soon rip it out, but there are 2 harnesses and about 3 dozen wires spliced into this frigging thing. Electrical is not my strong point. It'd be easy enough to reconnect the old wires, but who knows if they cut one out, or what the hell they did....

I doubt the alarm system can cause a miss, it will shut the starter/ignition down, not individual cyllinders. With the lock-up torque converter any misfire will be amplified at a cruising speed and light acceleration.
A good scanner can show misfire info per cyllinder, or as long as the engine is not coil on plug and HAS plug wires, you can spray water on the wires with the engine running and look for a spark jumping from the wires. A spark jumping from the wire would indicate a bad wire or plug and will point you in the right direction. I have the Snap-On Modis and would be happy to scan it for you, it will just cost you a ride to my place. Tony

Thanks, much appreciated.