tranny noises

[brother chris]

I have a 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan and when I put it in reverse, I hear a click, click, click, click, click, click, really fast for about 1/2 second. And when I stop quickly, it does the same thing, a really fast click, click, click, click, click, click. (just for a 1/2 second or so).
The tranny fluid was changed last month, but I suspect it is still the tranny.
Anybody familiar with what I am referring to, or have any ideas (besides burning the darn thing).
Thanks,
B.C.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: tranny noises

I have an old 92 Caravan i use to haul stuff.The tranny has clicked like that since i have owned it(about 8 years)
I changed the filter,no help.It only does it in first gear.
Not sure what causes it...but it keeps on going.I got about 180,000 miles on it.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: tranny noises

Have you checked the fluid level? Be sure to check it when it's hot ideling in neutral. That is a typical sound of a tranny starving for fluid.

 

[dolluper]

Re: tranny noises

Planetary gears wearing, not engaging right because of improper fuild flow,or as said above low fuild.When it quits drive it into the Ocean

 

[brother chris]

Re: tranny noises

Thanks for the input fellas.
I was going to take the van to a mechanic, but I'll check the tranny fluid first.
I wonder, is this an issue that would need attending to, sooner than later, or is it okay, providing the fluid is at the proper level?
I post that question because Gary's van has made that noise for over 8 years now, without an issue......hmmmm.

 

[CrabShack]

Re: tranny noises

I wouldn't worry about it. The only time the transmission acted up un our '95 caravan (185,000 miles) was when I didn't hear that noise. I explained the noise to the transmission shop as a "ratcheting" sound when shifting from park to reverse or drive. Mechanic said the noise was typical solenoid sound for that transmission.

 

[brother chris]

Re: tranny noises

I just checked the level and the fluid looks normal and smells normal and it is at the proper level.
Crabshack...what did you do when your van's tranny acted up? Did you get a new filter and fluid change?
I'm thinking maybe I should do just that, but I would hate to spend the money only for the van to still make that noise after the filter and fluid change.
B.C.

 

[brother chris]

Re: tranny noises

Wait....the van just had the tranny fluid changed last month. I guess I do not need to do that.
But it still bugs me though!

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: tranny noises

I think its the Tranys low/revers band ratchiting up against the drum inside the trany.If im right thats normal for them.

 

[CrabShack]

Re: tranny noises

Don't do a thing to it except for the regular maintenance. Like I said, the only time I had trouble ws when that noise disappeared. The car would slam into gear, buck, jump and not shift out of low. I had it towed to a tranny shop and they couldn't find any codes. They drove it for half a day, on and off, and couldn't get it to repeat the problem. They serviced the tranny and said everything was really clean. He could have easily taken me for a new or rebuilt transmission at around $2500. A good guy to know. He just wrote it off as a "brain fart" in the ecu that may never happen again. That was two years ago.
I'm not a big Chrysler fan, but this has been one of the most reliable cars we have owned. I have talked to other owners who are on their second or third transmissions, but ours just keeps going on. Just lucky, I guess.

 

[brother chris]

Re: tranny noises

Well, I talked to another mechanic about this and he agrees. I should just leave it be, change the filter and fluid on a regular basis.
I just bought the van and got a really good deal on it, so I guess I should just drive it until it dies.
Thanks for the tips!