Hello all. I need some advice. long story short, I'm finally sallowing my pride and almost ready to call it quits. Figure I better give up on the van before my wife gives up on me!

Some short history:

99 town & country. 3.8l.

freeze plug went. local shop told me $650 - $850. figured I'd do it myself. mistake #1.

pulled the transaxle. replaced the offending plug. decided to replace the other plugs while I was in there. (yes, including the small oil plug - mistake #2)
While I was under there, found a leaking water pump and power steering pump. Replaced both.
got it all back together, started it up, and "pop" - the oil plug blew out. how'd I know? all the oil coming out!

took it apart again. found the failed plug next to the torque converter. (found later that it also destroyed the crankshaft sensor). went to the parts store and bought a selection of plugs. fitted them in until I found one that fit nicely. Realized much later that I accidentally dropped on in the block - I thought it fell on the floor. (mistake #3) hind sight being what it is, I'm kicking myself. after getting everything back together again, started it up. heard some nasty metalic grinding, which I first thought was the starter shim, then the oil pan, then realized that it was the plug in the engine (see above [:@]) engine did run for a few minutes...

called around to a few machine shops and a few used engine shops. complete head job & gaskets were quoted at around $500 - $550. found an engine out of Howbill Automotive for $600, so I went that route. nice clean engine too. very helpful staff.

put the new engine in, tried firing it up, and that's when I found the bad crankshaft position sensor. repolaced that, and it fired right up! let it run for a minute or so and checked for leaks. no found, I proceded to put it all back together. took it down off the stands and started it again to let it warm up. After about 5 minutes, it started to run very rough, then it stalled and wouldn't start. noticed that the block was hot, but the radiator was cold, so I replaced the thermostat. runs a little longer now, but still very rough (erratic idle, slight back fire, etc.) it does throw codes, but I don't have a reader yet...

so here's my dilema:

- Engine won't stay running. very rough once it warms up. also, while cold if I "give it gas" it stumbles badly.
- shifting through the different gears doesn't yeild any productive results. won't go forward or backwards. kinda like its staying in park.

I'm hoping someone here can help steer me in the right direction. I think I have the following options:

- admit I'm an idiot and take it to the shop and tell them what a fool I am...
- get a code ready and continue digging.
- set it on fire.
- turn it into a camper for when my wife kicks me out!

Any constructive suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've already explored the unconstuctive ones!

Thanks,
Doug

 

if u can get to a place like autozone or most auto parts store they can hook it up and read the code for free..
The we can go what ever route it says.
Second do u live in my area Atlanta??

 

I got my hands on a code reader today. There are three codes:

- P1391 - iginition system or misfire
- P1784 - control transmission
- P0700 - trans Control Sys Malfunction

I'm in the Buffalo, NY area. unfortunately!

 

quick update: I replaced the camshaft sensor and now the engine is running like a top. now, if only it would shift into gear....

 

I'll give you an A for the effort. I wouldn't have made it that far . Seems like your coming to the end of the troubles?If you didn't have any issues with the transmission before you started, hopefully it will be a simple fix. Good luck!

 

Symptom:
P1784-L-R PRESSURE SWITCH CIRCUIT
When Monitored and Set Condition:
P1784-L-R PRESSURE SWITCH CIRCUIT
When Monitored: Whenever the engine is running.
Set Condition: The transmission uses pressures switches to monitor fluid pressure in
L-R, 2-4, and O/D elements. The pressure switches are continuously monitored for correct
states in each gear. If and error is detected the code will set.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
CHECKING SYMPTOMS AND POSSIBLE CAUSES
LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE CAUSING SYMPTOM
INTERMITTENT CODE P1784


The p700 u will need a better scanner inorder to get into the tranny computer for that one.

 

Thanks tmp3tnc!

In talking with one of my Neighbors, turns out he has a friend that is a mechanic. He said a common issue with these transmissions when removed is a possible bent pin on the large connector, and a poor ground. I removed the plug, clean all pins and put that back together. I then ran a ground direct to the battery. No luck.

I cleared the codes, ran it through the gears several times and no more codes. still no movement though. Could the TCM be bad? I wonder if I might have hit it on something when I removed it?

Thanks!
Doug

 

2005 Town and Country freeze plug leak , front of transmission. What can I do to fix it?

 

replace the freeze plug