Automatic Transmission - Servicing: Other Dodge Caravan III

Transaxle

Check transaxle fluid level when performing other underhood services. Under normal service conditions, change transaxle fluid, adjust bands (31TH 3-speed) and replace transaxle filter every 30,000 miles. Under severe service conditions, perform listed procedures every 15,000 miles. Severe service conditions are conditions such as continuous operation during freezing temperatures, continuous operation in stop and go traffic, long periods of engine idling, trailer towing, police, taxi, local delivery service or operating in dusty or excessively hot conditions.

Power Transfer Unit (AWD Models)

Normal service interval for power transfer unit fluid not available at time of publication. Under severe service conditions, change power transfer fluid every 15,000 miles. Severe service conditions are conditions such as continuous operation during freezing temperatures, continuous operation in stop and go traffic, long periods of engine idling, trailer towing, police, taxi, local delivery service or operating in dusty or excessively hot conditions.

1. Drive vehicle until engine and transaxle are at normal operating temperature. Park vehicle on level surface.
2. Check fluid level. Fluid level should be in the HOT range (cross-hatched) area on dipstick. Add MOPAR ATF Plus 3, Type 7176 fluid if necessary. DO NOT overfill.

Park vehicle on level surface. Remove fill plug from power transfer unit. (Scheme 128) Fluid level should be even with bottom of fill plug hole. Add SAE 85W-90 gear oil if necessary. DO NOT overfill. Install and tighten fill plug to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 128

Manufacturer recommends using MOPAR ATF Plus 3, Type 7176 fluid. Manufacturer does not recommend using additives with transmission fluid.

Manufacturer recommends using SAE 85W-90 gear oil.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen oil pan bolts. Tap on one corner of oil pan to loosen. Allow fluid to drain. Remove oil pan bolts and oil pan. Remove oil filter bolts, oil filter and gasket or "O" ring from valve body.
2. Adjust kickdown band and low-reverse bands if necessary. See KICKDOWN BAND and LOW-REVERSE BAND under «ADJUSTMENTS»(ref-124591-S33742425982001100200000) .
3. Clean oil pan, magnet and all sealing surfaces. Using NEW gasket or "O" ring, install NEW oil filter. Tighten oil filter bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000) .
4. Apply RTV sealant on sealing surfaces of oil pan. Install oil pan. Install and tighten oil pan bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000) .
5. Add 4.0 Qts. (3.8L) of MOPAR ATF Plus 3, Type 7176 fluid to transaxle. Apply parking brake. Start engine and allow it to idle for at least one minute. With brakes applied, shift transaxle through all gears, ending in Park.
6. Add additional fluid to bring level 1/8" below ADD mark on dipstick. Recheck fluid level with transaxle at normal operating temperature. Adjust fluid level within HOT range on dipstick. DO NOT overfill.

Service information not available at time of publication.

31TH Transaxle

1. Kickdown band is also known as front band. Loosen kickdown band adjusting screw lock nut while preventing kickdown adjusting screw from rotating. Kickdown band adjusting screw is located on top front side of transaxle. (Scheme 129)
2. Back off kickdown band adjusting screw lock nut 5 turns. Ensure kickdown band adjusting screw rotates freely in transaxle case.
3. Tighten kickdown band adjusting screw to 72 INCH lbs. (8.1 N.m). Back off kickdown band adjusting screw 2 1/4 turns. Hold kickdown band adjusting screw in this position and tighten adjusting screw lock nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000).

Scheme 129

1. Low-reverse band is also known as rear band. Oil pan must be removed from transaxle to adjust low-reverse band. Raise and support vehicle. Loosen oil pan bolts. Tap on one corner of oil pan to loosen. Allow fluid to drain. Remove oil pan bolts and oil pan.
2. Loosen low-reverse band adjusting screw lock nut while preventing low-reverse band adjusting screw from rotating. Low-reverse band adjusting screw lock nut and low-reverse band adjusting screw are located inside transaxle, near low-reverse band lever. (Scheme 130)
3. Back off low-reverse band adjusting screw lock nut 5 turns. Ensure low-reverse band adjusting screw rotates freely in transaxle case.
4. Tighten low-reverse band adjusting screw to 41 INCH lbs. (4.6 N.m). Back off low-reverse band adjusting screw 3 1/2 turns. Hold low-reverse band adjusting screw and tighten low-reverse band adjusting screw lock nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000).
5. Clean oil pan, magnet and all sealing surfaces. Apply RTV sealant on sealing surfaces of oil pan. Install oil pan. Install and tighten oil pan bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000).
6. Add 4.0 Qts. (3.8L) of MOPAR ATF Plus 3, Type 7176 fluid to transaxle. Apply parking brake. Start engine and allow it to idle for at least one minute. With brakes applied, shift transaxle through all gears, ending in Park.
7. Add additional fluid to bring level 1/8" below ADD mark on dipstick. Recheck fluid level with transaxle at normal operating temperature. Adjust fluid level within HOT range on dipstick. DO NOT overfill.

Scheme 130

SHIFT CABLE

1. Park vehicle on level surface. Apply parking brake. Place gearshift lever in Park and remove ignition key. Loosen shift cable retaining nut at shift operating lever on transaxle.
2. Pull shift operating lever on transaxle fully forward to Park detent position. Release parking brake and rock vehicle back and forth to ensure transaxle is locked in Park.
3. Tighten shift cable retaining nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000) . Ensure gearshift lever indicator indicates proper gear position when moving gearshift lever. If shift cable is properly adjusted, engine should start with gearshift lever in Park and Neutral only.

1. Drive vehicle until engine is at normal operating temperature. Loosen swivel lock screw on throttle pressure linkage. Ensure swivel on throttle pressure linkage slides freely along flat surface on throttle pressure linkage. If swivel slides freely, go to next step. If swivel fails to slide freely, it may be necessary to clean or repair swivel.
2. Hold throttle valve lever on transaxle firmly toward engine. Tighten swivel lock screw to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-124591-S11588028182001100200000) . Release throttle valve. Adjustment is complete. Linkage backlash is automatically removed by preload spring.