Questions and Answers

Dodge Stratus Transmission Slippage Q. Vincent, I am having a problem with my 1995 Dodge Stratus, 2.5 liter V-6 engine. I brought the car from an auction. The car drove well for the first 10 or 15 miles then it started slipping. I chalked it up as a good bargain and I can invest in a transmission and the car will be running well. I got the transmission rebuilt and it drove excellent for the first two months, then the same problems occurred again. High RPM's at low speeds and the transmission slipping.

I immediately brought it back to the transmission guy who did the work and he said he couldn't find anything wrong and to bring it back when it is malfunctioning. Each time it would do it I would bring it to him and upon arrival it would act right. Finally on the third time it happened I brought it back top him and he checked it and again couldn't find anything wrong, so he assumed it was an electrical problem.

It is an intermittent problem so I assumed he was right. Car runs good for two weeks then the same problem. I took it to a Dodge dealer and they said the transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced but couldn't tell me anything about the high RPM's.

I've been told it could be sensors, the transmission, electrical, etc. I don't know what to do at this point. Please Help!

Thanks in advance,
Andre

A. Well, unless it acts up for the technician, it is going to be a very difficult problem to find. I guess the first thing I would do is check the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for stored codes.

To call up codes, cycle ignition switch on, off, on, off and on within 5 seconds. Stored codes will be indicated by flashes of the power loss/check engine lamp. The codes will be indicated as two digit numbers, with a four second pause between codes. An example of a code is as follows:

• Power Loss/Check Engine Lamp illuminated for approximately 2 to 3 seconds as a bulb check, then turns off.
• Lamp flashes 2 times, pauses, then flashes 6 times.
• Lamp pauses for approximately 4 seconds.
• Lamp flashes 3 times, pauses, then flashes 1 time.

This would indicate that code 26 and 31 are stored. The lamp will continue to flash until all stored codes have been displayed.

If we are lucky we'll get some codes to work with.