Automotive Forums

I have a 98 Dodge Intrepid that recently had to have the torque converter replaced.  Immediately after replacing it, and driving, the shifts were now hard, mainly the downshifts to a lower gear at say 30mph , and starting to go up hill, probably a shift from 3rd to 2nd gear.  It also downshifts hard when slowing at a stop sign probably from 3rd to 2nd again, or 3rd to 1st.  I found out that the mechanic had put Dexron III in it, and Certified Transmission Specialist, and other transmission specialist mechanics here in KC only recommended Chrysler ATF+4 which is a semi-synthetic, and supposed to be pretty good stuff.  Certified replaced the fluid and filter, and flushed it with the Chrysler fluid.  It still shifted hard.  They took another look at it, and said that there are no codes, and the internal components of the transmission were in good shape.  They explained however, that a new torque converter is asking the transmission to shift with a certain amount of torque, and the transmission is worn enough that it can't keep up with the new torque converter, and that it may smooth out by 10-15k miles.  It didn't.  I put Lubeguard in it, didn't work at all.  I put Lucas trans fix in it, and it worked pretty well for a while, and now the car does this probably 40% of the time on those shifts mentioned above.  I'm getting ready for a vacation next month, and am considering putting either Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF in it, or Amsoil ATF.  This all happed about 9 months ago, and the car now has 14,432 miles on it.  Any suggestions?

Chris  

Have your mechanic hook up a scan tool and perform a "quick learn" to reprogram the trans controller. Should take care of the problem.  

Thanks, I've always been gentle on the transmission since this happened.  Do you think any damage has taken place?  I'm gathering opinions, then I'm going to take the car back to Certified Transmission Specialist.
Chris  

I'm Sorry!
It was not the torque converter that was replaced, it was the solenoid, that's all the ticket says, I'm *** it is the control solenoid.  The mechanic did say that it was up towards the top of the transmission, but could only be accessed by going up through the transmission.  Maybe this will help with your suggestions.
Chris  

go to the dodge dealer and see if the trans control module is flashable should be a flash for hard down shifting there is a flash for 4-3 down shifting hard