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changed transmission fluid, drove car, engine light came on and now in limp mode

30K views 85 replies 18 participants last post by  blue_devil 
#1 ·
I changed the transmission fluid and filter in my car. I followed the write-ups on this form but I used a dipstick that I got off Amazon that's supposed to be for these cars with the 6.1L. The tip was not user friendly. So when I put in the amount of fluid I thought was correct and went out to drive the car it initially shifted fine but seemed like it wouldn't go into overdrive. After I quickly realized that it wasn't shifting into the last gear I turned around to head back to the house. It was around this time the engine light or CEL came on and the car acted like I had put it in neutral until my speed got down to about 20 mph. Then it continued driving but no matter how far I depress the throttle it only goes about 20 mph. It reminds me of limp mode in my old 2000 323 BMW.

So I bought the Dorman dipstick everyone on this forum says to get and went back through my process. It looked like I was a little low on fluid but not by much. At temp the new dipstick showed about 60 mm. So I added fluid until I got to the proper level. But the CEL never went off and the limp mode or drivability issue did not change.

Any thoughts? I did the ignition key dance to see if any codes display but it did not show any. How can I clear the CEL without a scan tool?
 
#82 · (Edited)
Both the Factory Service Manuals and Parts Manuals refer to it as the Adaptor. That 7mm bolt is deliberately captured within the adaptor...there is no reason to remove it.

If you are trying to assembly the electrical Adaptor (05189122Ax) to the electrical control unit (ECU - 52108308Ax) on the bench, you need to lubricate(!) the O-rings to allow them to slide in order to properly seat (never assemble dry) into the ECU receptacle - then hand-tighten to have the bolt engage the receptacle thread structure...
 
#83 · (Edited)
Nag1 transmissions are very susceptible to getting debris stuck in the shift valves entering thru cutouts on top of the valvebody, especially the 3-4 valve . The original early nag guide bushing orings were a white/clear looking oring and the replacement ones are black. The OP sounds like he filled the holy **** out of this thing but must have knocked some crud loose that got hung up in a shift valve. I've never needed to put more than 4.5 quarts back in on a pan off service on one of these, im shocked it didn't puke fluid out the vent on his test drive. Good practice that has already been stated by hemissary is to lube up the orings well before install, line the guide bushing up and push in by hand , do not hammer anything. Also as already stated do not overtighten the bolt!! Tightening the bolt up more than very lightly isn't not going to make it leak or not, that is the job of the orings.
 
#84 ·
The image, my new parts, was for reference. I am trying to remove the stuck adaptor sleeve from the trans housing. Sorry for the confusion. The package from Germany-Mopar refers to the adaptor sleeve as (Pilot Bushing), my Service Manual/ DVD-1000+ pages refers to it as Guide Bushing. I'm a noob to the LX platform.
 
#85 · (Edited)
Ah; given you're replacing both parts, use whatever means you like, including destroying the adaptor. I would use Vice-Grips on the head of the 7mm bolt and pull / pry with a screwdriver until it separates - bringing the nutsert with it.

Edit: drop the pan and loosen the ECU, exerting tension on the nutsert to see if that allows the bolt to be turned...
 
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#86 · (Edited)
Hemissary, I like that idea of maybe creating tension, if your first option does not work. I'm trying to keep calm, lol. I will collapse the upper 3rd of the adaptor with channel locks, if nothing else works, and pull it thru as I lower the valve body. I do not want to nick-damage the aluminum (adaptor) orifice trying to bluntly remove it. I would also like to prevent the possibility of shattering the conductor plate (Electrichydraulic Control Module-ECM--LOL!) sending small plastic fragments into the valve body. I've seem to have hijacked another thread... sorry OP!
 
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