I am not really sure now to explain this...

When going around 45-55 the van kind of sputter and shifts between 3rd and 4th...or whatever gear it is in. If I get up to 60 and hold the gas steady, it is fine. Once I get to 65-70, then it starts to sputter again.

I don't know if this is a Tranny Issue, or a Engine Issue?

The Check Engine light is not on, nor is the Tranny light. The Check Engine light has been on in the past, but it goes off every once and a while, and this happens to be one of those times.

It did this once last week, so I had the dealer change the Tranny fluid and filter and fill her up with ATF4.

Any ideas? Anything I could try to change on my own for a low cost fix before bringing it to the dealership?

1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE
3.0 v6
125,xxx miles.

Thanks
Ryan

Sounds like the transmission. I wouldn't put that off any longer. Is it still under warranty? If not I would go to Amaco Transmissions for a diagnostic test ASAP!!!

Sounds like the transmission. I wouldn't put that off any longer. Is it still under warranty? If not I would go to Amaco Transmissions for a diagnostic test ASAP!!!

It's not under warranty, so I would like to keep it from the dealership if possible. But if worse comes to worse, it may end up there...or the junk yard!

Anything I could check first?

It sounds like you are getting the sputter at a certain engine RPM - causing the tranny to downshift.

You should investigate the check engine light. Need to read the codes that are stored. Sometimes there are "history" codes - old codes when the check engine light was on if is now off.

Simular to your "burp", my caravan would hesitate (occational misfire) at speeds of 60 or so. The problem turned out that my throttle body unit needed a good cleaning (carberator cleanner).

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the TB tonight to see how gunked up it is. What do you recommend for a cleaner?

It sounds like you are getting the sputter at a certain engine RPM - causing the tranny to downshift.

You should investigate the check engine light. Need to read the codes that are stored. Sometimes there are "history" codes - old codes when the check engine light was on if is now off.

Simular to your "burp", my caravan would hesitate (occational misfire) at speeds of 60 or so. The problem turned out that my throttle body unit needed a good cleaning (carberator cleanner).

watch your tach, it's probably engine speed related, a bad or dirty TPS (throttle position sensor)

watch your tach, it's probably engine speed related, a bad or dirty TPS (throttle position sensor)

I have no tach :frown:

Try removing the input and ouput speed sensors on the transmission. This happens to mine once and a while. Because they are magnetic they pickup debris and it causes funny readings. Not enough to trow on the check engine light.

Remove them and clean off any metal particles, it may do the trick. When Mine acts up the speedometer and Tach go haywire and the vehicle stutters as the computer is not getting consistent readings.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the TB tonight to see how gunked up it is. What do you recommend for a cleaner?


www.allpar.com/fix/throttlebodycleaning.html

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look at the TB tonight to see how gunked up it is. What do you recommend for a cleaner?


www.allpar.com/fix/throttlebodycleaning.html

www.allpar.com/fix/throttlebodycleaning.html
Thanks!