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Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
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Author Topic: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear  (Read 631 times)
Sergio Rodriguez
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Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« on: April 07, 2007, 02:39:00 AM »

I have a 95 avenger with 125k miles on it, 5 spd auto transmission. My problem first started when I was slowing down the highway , below 40mph the car would abruptly (and I mean abruptly caused it scared the excrement out of me) shift into 2nd gear and would stay in 2nd until I restarted the engine on a red light. Then it would shift normally again , but I then would encounter the same problem.This would happen regardless if I applied the brake or not, below 40 it would downshift. But Now, all the car does is shift from 1st to 2nd and stay there, I havent been able to get above 2nd ,and honestly its kind of embarassing cause I drive my car on the highway at 45 mph an hour on 2nd doing 4000rpm.
If anyone has any idea of what it can be, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

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Shiano
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2007, 09:35:16 AM »

It's actually a 4 spd Auto [1st ,2nd ,3rd ,OD or 4th] called the A604 [tranny code] unless you or someone else has done a rather impressive swap.

To me it sounds like you are in limp mode.

There are a few questions you need to answer. I only remember a couple. There are others with more knowledge on here that would know the rest.

1: Did you recently put any transmission fluid in?
   If you did, make DAMN sure it was ONLY Chrysler ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. The A604 will have a heartattack if you DON'T!!
   This is available at any NAPA, Advance Auto, O'reilly's, Murrays, or AutoZone.
2: When was the last time you changed your filter?
   For the correct fluid type refer to question 1. An Auto Trans Filter should be changed at the LONGEST, every two years. If done properly [and i do stress that],
   there shouldn't be any problems that weren't already there after it's done.

Now the A604 is [co]controlled by it's own computer and talks constantly to your main computer. If there is a breakdown in communication that could cause a problem. I'm going to guess but i'd say you have a V6. Every V6 was Auto. [Hopefully] The 5 spd swap is actually being worked out and on as we speak. If Alain posts in here it should be more beneficial for you. I don't know how much transmission experience Mcgyvr has but he might also know.
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mcgyvr
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2007, 02:43:02 PM »

Yes, tranny is in limp mode (a protective mode so you can fix the problem and not break anything else)
More than likely its just a sensor that is bad.
You need to take it to a shop that can read the transmisson error codes. (sometimes autozone can even read them for free) (depending on the code you might need a tranny shop or dealership with a better scan tool though but Id start with autozone if your check engine light is on)
Have them scan the codes and if you want to fix it yourself report back with the error code and we can tell you how to fix it.

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roger reynolds
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2007, 06:17:49 PM »

Your car is most likley in the fail safe mode and remember if you end up needing to add oil
#4 oil  wasnt used in 95 so I dont recomend mixing because I dont know the out come..proubly none .
However ck on that,  we use mercon 3 and 4  in the units,, their  tons of hot air and not
much fact out their because people say things but they do no research,, The #4 oil is
mercon 5 and deals with heat on a much better basis and we use it in the ford  power
stroke units also  however for years we used dextron 2 in the 604 and just to end the hot
air I build one of my 604 race units and used the cheapest dextron 2 I could get and
guess what, It works fine and Im still beating the hell out of it,Their is more hot air out
their than fact when it comes to transmissions and I always got some morons who know
nothing and dont work on transmission telling you your wrong , they have lots of
entertainment value but not much else...If you have transmission questions, go to a
shop or ask a transmission person... Roger reynolds.. owner  Hannibal transmission
and roadrager quick change gears... go ahead and change both input and output
and dont buy them at auto zone,, go to mopar.....I can give you the ins and outs
on the reasons for different oils but I dont l have two days to wright a report
E   RREYNOLD@NEMONET.COM  roadrage quick change gears...
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mcgyvr
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2007, 01:59:43 PM »

Roger,
While you may have a few trannies running without any problems using a dexron/mercon. The main problem comes if you need to make a warranty claim for a transmission problem. It will be denied IMMEDIATELY if they find anything but atf 3 or 4 in there.
Just because you have one race tranny running on it does not prove anything.  I highly doubt that a case can be made that roger said it was okay. Chrysler will just laugh and hand the customer the full bill.

Point is use the specified fluid (atf+3 or atf+4 depending on years,etc.. only) Don't take the chance unless you don't mind possibly having issues.

There have been a few members that have had a transmission flush and fill where the idiots put the wrong fluid in there only to have transmission problems shortly after that can be atributed to the incorrect fluid. Those members have been told to go back and have them put the correct fluid in and the problems went away.

Id just hate to see someone have to foot the bill for a costly tranny repair just because they took a chance on a non-specified fluid.
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Shiano
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2007, 09:49:51 AM »

Mcgyvr, I don't think i can smile any bigger right now. thank you.
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JusBringIt
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2007, 02:42:04 PM »

all the input has helped me understand limp mode a bit better.
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Sergio Rodriguez
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #7 on: April 12, 2007, 05:22:55 AM »

Thanks a lot for the help .  Im just hoping its some electrical problem and not something more pricy.

Shiano, the fluid I added recently was ATF 4 , but honestly I dont remember when was the last time I changed the filter, so that should be my next step. Its a 4 cylinder by the way. Thanks
Ill update the forum once I get the problem fixed.
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jw
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2007, 11:56:01 AM »

Don't forget the input and output sensors ... they
are a common problem on our cars. Mine failed at
43K. You can find them on eBay or any 5 Star dealer.
« Last Edit: April 12, 2007, 11:57:33 AM by jw » Logged

Shiano
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2007, 10:18:12 PM »

Just make sure you remember.  Wink
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Sergio Rodriguez
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2007, 05:43:33 AM »

Well guys , I recently changed the transmission filter and fluid (after a bit of procrastination) and its still stuck on 2nd. My next guess would be something electrical , I hope.
By the way, the car rarely shifts properly all the way up to 4th but 90% of the time it gets stuck on 2nd.

Jw mentioned something about input and output sensors, and a friend of mine from work mentioned that it could be a shift sensor. My question is are they easy to repair and how.  Thanks once again.
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Leonard
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2007, 04:51:23 AM »

Can you get your hands on a scanner and ck for codes. With scanner ck input RPM in park, should have engine RPM and ck the output in drive or reverse and let the car roll or drive in parking lot. You want to see RPM from the sensor too. If you don't have any RPM from the sensors, ( Zero ) the sensor that reads (Zero) is no good. Just for information if you already replace the output and still reads zero, then you have a broken wire at the connector. If the sensors read good, then you have inside the transmission.
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jw
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2007, 09:37:27 AM »

You can get get a free scan at any Autozone.
Replace the input and output speed sensors.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2007, 09:39:43 AM by jw » Logged

Shiano
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2007, 07:28:56 AM »

if you're in the midwest-east coast you can go to an Advance also.
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Shawn Gibbons
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Re: Tranny stuck in 2nd gear
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2007, 10:44:59 PM »

This might help  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4800878-Chrysler-Dodge-Input-Sensor-A604-A606-41TE-42LE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33727QQihZ001QQitemZ110129897153QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
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