[Starscream]

I know this was on a previous topic, but I'm taking my car to a trusted tranny shop this monday morning to run a diagnostics on it and see if the fluid needs changing bands tightening etc... Anyways, I talked to the guy yesterday and he said he replaces the fluid in the LH cars with Dexron + an additive. I told him whoa whoa, no no I want mopar atf 3 or atf 4 only. He insisted that the dexron + additive was identical to the mopar stuff.

Should I trust him? He rebuilt the tranny in our 97 caravan and no troubles since. Or, should I run down to the chrysler dealership and buy the right ATF fluid and watch him put it in?

Thanks guys!

 

[bat078]

get the mopar atf3 and make sure he puts that in as I don't know how many times I have seen that say the dextron plus addative is NOT equal to the atf3 and don't let him tell you otherwise unless he gives you a heck of a warranty as you will be bringing it back for replacement from what I hear.web page

 

[MoparPerformance]

Absolutely not, don't let em' do it! If he recommends this or tells you it's OK he does not know Mopar or the these Chrysler Ultradrive A604 and 42LE transmissions. For details you can check out my reply for "Tranny Fluid Controversy". I think a lot of these guys are old school mechanics where anything goes and are not familiar with the Ultradrive and it's sensitivity to fluids other than Mopar ATF-3/ATF-4. I would check with a dealer and see if the new 9602 or 9606 stuff that's used in the newer Intrepids can be used in yours otherwise go with the Mopar Type 7176.


Take care,
MoparPerformance

 

[Starscream]

Thanks. Any idea how much for the bottles of fluid and how many I need? Thx!!

 

[Lafrad]

Get the ATF +4 if ya can. it is recommonded by chrysler to migrate everything from +3 to +4, partially for cost, but mostly because it has better qualities to keep our trannies running smoother and longer

 

[MoparPerformance]

Yeah, he's right go with ATF+4, rather than ATF+3. If the Mopar Type 9602 or 9606 will work fine with your tanny, I'd use that otherwise go with the Mopar Type 7176 ATF+4.


Good luck,
MoparPerformance

 

[Djnrg]

DO NOT let him put that Dextron crap in your car. And if he thinks that our transmissions have bands in them, he's an idiot. Gear shifting is controlled by a solenoid pack in the tranny, not bands. Thats why you hear that clicking sound sometimes when you slow down or come to a stop in many chrysler cars. Go with ATF +3 or +4...

 

[Djnrg]

BTW, I think it was about 6 bottles I put in my car....

 

[Starscream]

He didn't think they had bands in them, I did. I didn't know we had the solenoid thing and that would explain why I hear that awful noise everytime I engage the gears or it downshifts. I was just saying that for an example why I wanted to have it looked at, but not anymore. Thanks Djrng. I will definitely go buy some from the dealership now.

 

[Djnrg]

Hey, no problem Starscream. Oh, and plz don't think I was calling you an idiot or anything...

About the solenoid packs: like you I always wondered what the hell that weird clicking noise was when my old minivan geared down and came to a stop. So, I asked around and now I know. Wow, asking questions works well, eh? haha..

BTW, it wouldn't hurt to throw a bottle of Pro-long or Moly Slip tranny additive into your transmission as well. I know the Moly Slip stuff is wonderful, but they had none left when I went to the local auto parts store, so I bought some Pro-long. I'll let you know how it works...

 

[Starscream]

I didn't think so at all Djrng. In fact, this morning I went down to Citrus Chrylser and bought 1 gallon and 2 quarts of mopar atf 3 7176 tranny fluid. I'm going to watch him put it in monday morning when I get my tranny checked out and the fluid flushed. Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[Black94ES]

So what is that annoying clicking from the tranny? is it bad? Is there anything else that the tranny needs other than a fluid change?

 

[FredB]

Chrysler TSB 21-006-01 states you can use +4 fluid in any Chrysler tranny except 99 or older minivans because of possible torque converter shudder during break in. Makes me wonder if it would be OK after break in whatever break in is.

FredB

 

[Starscream]

Djrng sated previously that it was a solenoid making that gear grinding sound. Its normal. And nice name FredB, I like it

 

[79lilred]

Don't know if anyone has covered this or not, but a friend who trains Chrysler techs told me +3 & +4 are the same with one major difference: If you use +3, you need to change the fluid every 30K miles. Use +4 and you're good to go forever.

-steve

 

[Starscream]

I got my tranny fluid changed today, don't notice anything. But they say my torque converter is going bad. 500 bucks to fix. I'm glad I'm selling the car. At least I did the next buyer the favor of changing the fluid before he gets it.

 

[babyalex27]

I just changed my tranny fluid myself and I put in Valvoline ATF+3 in it ( 4 1/2 qts ) It seems to work just fine. I think it was like $ 2.25 per qt.

 

[Djnrg]

BTW, why we're on the topic of tranny fluid, don't forget to add some transmission anti-foaming additive. You can get it from your Chrysler parts dept. All you need is 2 tiny bottles, and it really helped to firm up my transmission, and there was less "mush" and loss of power during shifting. Thats what I am gonna add again, when I get my tranny fixed. I am also gonna get a shift kit put on it so it shifts a little harder and faster too. Apparently you notice quite a difference with one...Anyone here have a shift kit?

 

[silver97trep]

FredH,
I just went through this myself. Found out my mechanic put Dextron Plus in my tranny,,,,I went to the dealer and got 24 quarts of ATF+3 and had the whole tranny flushed, put in a new filter as well....allpar.copm has an awesome write up about why only ATF 7176 should be used in our cars....good luck

 

[PBCrunch]

When changing from Dexron + additive to ATF+3 or ATF+4, is it necessary that the filter be replaced? Can ATF and Dexron exist in the same transmission without things going insane?

Thanks.