Overview The fifth-generation Dodge Grand Caravan is a front-wheel-drive minivan, and for transmission work that matters right away. No factory U.S.-market AWD transfer case to chase. No PTU. No rear diff. No rear driveshaft. The whole drama lives up front in the transaxle, the converter side of the unit, the pump on a certain recall…
Overview The 2001–2007 Dodge Grand Caravan has a transmission story that is a lot simpler than the forums make it sound. This generation lives and dies by Chrysler’s 41TE family. That is the center of the whole conversation. If you are shopping one, driving one, or trying to decide whether to sink money into one,…
Overview The 2001–2007 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan have a transmission reputation for a reason. I’ve seen dozens of these in independent shops, dealer back lots, auction lanes, and family driveways where the owner swore it “just started acting up last week.” Usually it didn’t. Usually the tranny had been talking for months. Harsh engagement….
Overview The 1996–2000 Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan earned a reputation the hard way. A lot of it came from the transmission side, and most of that heat lands on the 41TE. I’ve seen plenty of these vans over the years, and when one rolls in with a shifting complaint, a flare, a no-reverse issue,…
Overview The first-generation Dodge Caliber is one of those cars that looks simple on paper and turns into a headache once you get underneath the skin. For U.S.-market cars, the transmission lineup was basically split in two directions: the T355 5-speed manual, and Chrysler’s CVT2 automatic transaxle. That’s the whole story. No hidden conventional automatic…
Overview The second-generation Dodge Avenger (2008–2014) is one of those cars that shows up in the shop a lot. Not always broken. But often enough that you get familiar with its personality. And yeah, the personality mostly lives in the tranny. This platform rides on Chrysler’s JS architecture. Front-wheel-drive layout, transverse drivetrain, the usual Chrysler…
Overview The first-generation Dodge Avenger. 1995 through 2000. Front-wheel-drive coupe, Mitsubishi bones underneath, Chrysler electronics bolted everywhere else. I’ve worked on plenty of these. Not hundreds, but enough that the pattern is obvious once you’ve seen a few roll through the shop with the same story: customer says the car still moves… just takes a…