02 Intrepid ES Auto tranny woes

Long time lurker, rarely a poster here...

My 02 w/ a 3.5 has been great for 80,000 miles. The last 1000 miles are driving me crazy!

First, the transmission cooler begins to leak. Monro fixed that for me.

NOW, I am having transmission goblins! First, when I coast down frmo 40 mph to 20 mph, then press the gas, the car lurches (A hard transmission catch). It feels like I am driving a stick shift, and I popped the clutch out too fast.

NOW, in the last week, sometimes, when I first start driving, I back up then go forward, the car feels as though it is in neutral, THEN it catches and lurches forward HARD.

The tranny was flushed at 40K miles.
No metal on metal sounds when any lurches occur.
No trouble lights.

I need to get this fixed. Are there any freebie TSBs I need to look into? What do I need to ask for if I go into a transmission shop so they don't take me for a ride?

First thing, was the last time you had a tranny service, was it 40,000 miles ago? If you haven't had your fluid changed within the 30,000 mile/24 month schedule, that could have an affect because the fluid becomes tarnished and wears out. Another thing is that whoever last serviced your tranny didn't use Mopar ATF +4, the fluid that Chrysler recommends for all its transmissions. About the lurking thing, check to make sure your shifter is in the "D" position and not "3". What happens is that when the vehicle slows down to 30 MPH or slower, it downshifts to second gear and when you accelerate, it'll feel like it's bucking b/c you are in a lower gear. I can get the TSB for the tranny fluid for you.

Here's the TSB for the tranny

NUMBER: 21-006-01

GROUP: Transmission

DATE: Jun. 29, 2001

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 21-16-99, DATED OCTOBER 22, 1999, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE 1999 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN MANUAL (PUBLICATION NO. 81-699-00004). THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION AND NO ASTERISKS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO HIGHLIGHT REVISIONS.
SUBJECT:
Automatic Transmission Fluid Usage ATF+4 (Type 9602)

MODELS:

1989 - 1995 (AA) Spirit/Acclaim/Lebaron Sedan

1989 - 2002 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon

1989 - 1993 (AC) Dynasty/New Yorker/New Yorker Salon

1989 - 1993 (AD) Ram Truck

1989 - 1994 (AG) Daytona

1989 (AH) Lancer/Lebaron GTS

1989 - 1995 (AJ) Lebaron Coupe/Lebaron Convertible

1989 - 1990 (AK) Aries/Reliant

1989 - 1990 (AL) Horizon/Omni

1989 (AM) Diplomat/Gran Fury/New Yorker Fifth Avenue

1989 - 2002 (AN) Dakota

1989 - 1994 (AP) Shadow/Sundance

1990 - 1991 (AQ) Maserati

1990 - 1993 (AY) Imperial/New Yorker Fifth Avenue

1994 - 2002 (BR/BE) Ram Truck

1998 - 2002 (DN) Durango

2002 (DR) Ram Truck

1995 - 2000 (FJ) Sebring/Avenger/Talon

2000 (GS) Chrysler Voyager (International Market)

1995 - 2000 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze

2001 - 2002 (JR) Sebring Sedan & Convertible/Stratus Sedan

1996 - 2000 (JX) Sebring Convertible

2002 (KJ) Liberty

1993 - 2002 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision/LHS/New
Yorker/300M

1989 - 1992 (MJ) Commanche

2000 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

1995 - 2002 (PL) Neon

2002 (PG) PT Cruiser (International Markets)

2001 - 2002 (PT) PT Cruiser

1997 - 2002 (PR) Prowler

2001 - 2002 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)

2001 - 2002 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager

1997 - 2002 (TJ) Wrangler

2001 - 2002 (WG) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)

1999 - 2002 (WJ) Grand Cherokee

1989 - 1995 (YJ) Wrangler

1996 - 1998 (ZG) Grand Cherokee (International Markets)

1993 - 1998 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneer

NOTE :THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CHRYSLER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS EXCEPT 1999 AND EARLIER MINIVANS.

DISCUSSION:

A new transmission fluid (ATF+4(R) - Type 9602) has been developed and is being used as factory fill for all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions. Until now, vehicles originally filled with ATF+2 or ATF+3 were to be serviced with ATF+3. Effective immediately, it is recommended that all vehicles with Chrysler automatic transmissions except for 1999 and earlier minivans be serviced with ATF+4(R). ATF+3 should continue to be used for 1999 and earlier minivans because of the potential for torque converter shudder during break in. For all other applications the ATF+4(R) fluid offers significant benefits as outlined below.
NOTE :ATF+4(R) MUST ALWAYS BE USED IN VEHICLES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY FILLED WITH ATF+4(R).

NOTE :SERVICE INTERVALS DO NOT CHANGE. THE SERVICE INTERVAL CURRENTLY IN EFFECT FOR A GIVEN VEHICLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED.

NOTE :ATF+4(R) IS COMPATIBLE WITH ATF+3 AND CAN BE USED TO TOP OFF VEHICLES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE ATF+2 OR ATF+3. DO NOT USE ATF+2 OR ATF+3 TO TOP OFF VEHICLES THAT HAVE ATF+4(R) FLUID.

BENEFITS
^ Better anti-wear properties

^ Improved rust/corrosion prevention

^ Controls oxidation

^ Eliminates deposits

^ Controls friction

^ Retains anti-foaming properties

^ Superior properties for low temperature operation

FLUID COLOR

Mopar ATF+4(R) is a World Class Fluid having exceptional durability. However, the red dye used in ATF+4°R is not permanent; as the fluid ages it may become darker or appear brown in color. ATF+4(R) also has a unique odor that may change with age. With ATF+4(R) fluid, color and odor are no longer indicators of fluid condition and do not support a fluid change.

If you want to print this out and show it to the people who serviced your transmission, you can. Will they honor a refund, I don't know but they messed up and in honor and ethics, I would consume the bill for my customers because of one word, CSI (customer service index). We want to keep our customers happy and even if we have to absorb a high bill, as long as we don't lose to much overhang in the process.

Transmission flush/fill was done at a Dodge dealership, so there is a better chance that they used the correct fluid.

ANYONE ELSE have these symptoms?

What color is the fluid now?

about 2 mos ago, I had a leak in the crimp fitting going to my AT cooler. The place that fixed it didn't tighten the new fitting enough.

I was 3 quarts of ATF low!

THX for all the help guys. Glad I didn't run off to a transmission shop and get my wallet raped.