'96 Concorde 3.3 Trans stuck in one gear

Today, I started out okay but after making a stop to pick up someone,
the transaxle was stuck in one gear.

1. I checked the fluid according to the books procedure. It was the
right color and the right amount.

2. I checked the OBD codes with the ignition key and all I got was 55 so
I assume that means it is okay?

Anyway, after all that, I took a ride around the block and everything is
okay now.

I note some corrosion crud on the positive terminal of the battery. I
wonder if this might be causing a poor connection that might affect the
computer.

Question: I'm happy it's working now but should I be looking out for
something that might happen in the future? Vehicle has 136K miles.

On Aug 27, 12:58 pm, njoracle > wrote:
> Today, I started out okay but after making a stop to pick up someone,
> the transaxle was stuck in one gear.
>
> 1. I checked the fluid according to the books procedure. It was the
> right color and the right amount.
>
> 2. I checked the OBD codes with the ignition key and all I got was 55 so
> I assume that means it is okay?
>
> Anyway, after all that, I took a ride around the block and everything is
> okay now.
>
> I note some corrosion crud on the positive terminal of the battery. I
> wonder if this might be causing a poor connection that might affect the
> computer.
>
> Question: I'm happy it's working now but should I be looking out for
> something that might happen in the future? Vehicle has 136K miles.

If you can have a transmission shop with a scanner read the codes from
the transmission control module, it will tell you if any faults are
being reported with the transmission. If the fluid and filter has not
been changed recently, I would suggest doing that too, ensuring that
the correct fluid is used. ATF+4 should be okay for your Concorde.

I just fought a problem with the 41TE in my van. It was frequently
going into "limp mode" due to a bad connection. A shop cleaned all the
connections, and I have not had a problem for almost a month.

-KM

wrote:
> On Aug 27, 12:58 pm, njoracle > wrote:
>> Today, I started out okay but after making a stop to pick up someone,
>> the transaxle was stuck in one gear.
>>
>> 1. I checked the fluid according to the books procedure. It was the
>> right color and the right amount.
>>
>> 2. I checked the OBD codes with the ignition key and all I got was 55 so
>> I assume that means it is okay?
>>
>> Anyway, after all that, I took a ride around the block and everything is
>> okay now.
>>
>> I note some corrosion crud on the positive terminal of the battery. I
>> wonder if this might be causing a poor connection that might affect the
>> computer.
>>
>> Question: I'm happy it's working now but should I be looking out for
>> something that might happen in the future? Vehicle has 136K miles.
>
> If you can have a transmission shop with a scanner read the codes from
> the transmission control module, it will tell you if any faults are
> being reported with the transmission. If the fluid and filter has not
> been changed recently, I would suggest doing that too, ensuring that
> the correct fluid is used. ATF+4 should be okay for your Concorde.
>
> I just fought a problem with the 41TE in my van. It was frequently
> going into "limp mode" due to a bad connection. A shop cleaned all the
> connections, and I have not had a problem for almost a month.
>
> -KM
>

Thanks for all of the tips. I appreciate it that you took the time to
respond.

I pulled the cable and cleaned the terminal. Would that action delete
any codes from the transmission Control module? If it does, I guess I
would wait until the next time it goes to "limp mode" before checking
for the codes. In the mean time, I'll get the fluid and filter changed.
It's been about 45k since the last change.

Thanks again for the response.

njoracle wrote:
> Today, I started out okay but after making a stop to pick up someone,
> the transaxle was stuck in one gear.
>
> 1. I checked the fluid according to the books procedure. It was the
> right color and the right amount.
>
> 2. I checked the OBD codes with the ignition key and all I got was 55 so
> I assume that means it is okay?
>
> Anyway, after all that, I took a ride around the block and everything is
> okay now.
>
> I note some corrosion crud on the positive terminal of the battery. I
> wonder if this might be causing a poor connection that might affect the
> computer.
>
> Question: I'm happy it's working now but should I be looking out for
> something that might happen in the future? Vehicle has 136K miles.

Besides the poor connection already mentioned, it could be a bad speed
sensor - there are two - an input speed sensor and an output speed
sensor. If speedometer continues working while the problem occurs, it
would be the input speed sensor (or its connection).

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

"njoracle" > wrote in message
...
> Today, I started out okay but after making a stop to pick up someone, the
> transaxle was stuck in one gear.
>

The computer has to make this decision, to shut down the transmission, as a
result of things that it measures. For instance, if it takes a long time to
shift gears, the computer will shut it down, because it's afraid it'll slip
for a long time and burn up the clutches.

It's not big deal. With the mileage on the car, you know the transmission
is wearing out. It'll get worse, probably. I have noticed on my worn-out
Chryslers that if you don't drive the car for a few days, they're much more
likely to shut down when you go through the first couple of shifts.