I have a 1999 Plymouth Voyager 2.4L with the 3 speed transmission and 132,000 miles on it just recently it started having problems shifting. I have well maintained this van the last trans service was at 125,000 flush and filter changed. I added Lucas Trans additive for high mileage transmissions because I noticed a slight slip on the highway from 2nd to 3rd. At around 129,000 miles a whining noise started from the trans and then the smell of trans fluid occurred. I checked for leaks and fluid level every thing seemed fine. Later the sound got louder and the trany is having problems shifting from first to second and further after warm up. My guess was the trans is overheating causing shift problems and possibly malfunctioning the shift solenoid but Im no trans tech. If you can help please let me know if it is the shift solenoid please tell me the location so i can try that step. I have not drove the van after these major problems have started and need it for the 5 kids we have and dont have 1200.00 or 4000.00 to repair it but i have done some repair work on manual transmissions before. Please Help?

Shift problems can be a pain to figure out ,most cases the trans need overhauled/ replaced, if getting a check engine light on you would get some kind of clue to the cause,but if not,its like shooting in the dark the best advice I can give you is have AAMCO look at it,and if youre a customer of Autozone they'll do it free. (Thank Jim for that info)

It's not that I'm cheap or anything, I just know how to find the "deals"...LOL

Aamco will do basic diagnosis for free....free estimates..but "teardown" isn't..we all know that..

Couple other freebies..
We have "Discount Tire" stores around here....they will repair any tire for Free..no strings attached..
Every tire is dismounted,plug/patched from the inside ( the proper way),all rims are cleaned,bead sealer is added and a new stem is put in...and balanced...all for free....only they won't repair a worn tire,dry rotted one,cracked side wall ...you get the point...also will rotate tires for.. free...Good deal....

Jiffy lube stores here will lubricate(grease) your car for ...you guessed it ..FREE...

Jim will diagnose your car for ...Free.....

Jim, thats a deal,don't know about here, these guys here,the word free makes their a$$ clinch gonna have to check it out,BTW didn't mean to make you look cheap, a dollar saved is a dollar........the wife gets

No lights on and the wierd thing is that the trans operates great when cold shift problems happen when its atr operating temp. I found this out last night when I thought of some thing. Would a shift sylenoid cause such a problem or possible that not enough fluid is being transfered causing the trans to over heat and not shift?

The solenoid retracks to allow fluid displacement, when the fluid temp rises its affecting the the operation of the device, a shelac could have build up on it causing it to stick, in that case a running a tran flush thru the system could help,and its less costly too, just a thought

Ill try that but what do you think the whining noise could be it has gottin loud and it is constant.

Thanks for the help Dave.

When you say whining noise,like a whistle type?, and it does it in gear or out of gear?

The noise is constant in and out of gear also goes louder when reving up the sound stays with the rpm. No whistle noise the accurate discription is whining or buzz. stick your tounge on the roof of your mouth and make a buzzing sound like that noise. Best discription i can do without you hearing it.

Was this noise first to appear before the trans problem or at the same time?

The trans had a minor slip going into 3rd gear only on the highway and not often then the noise started very little and not often. I flush the trans at a shop without any chemicals just a power flush with fluid and it seemed to be good for awhile oh I added Lucas high mileage trans additive to it as well. Then later the noise got louder and shifting became more of a slip going into third.

And what about when its cold,do you still hear it?

Cold and hot Now the noise is always there.

The problem is going to be internal any which way you turn, the noise could be several things from a pump to a torque converter not getting the correct amount of fluid, try this site and see if theres anything that might help,but still a trans cleaner flush I'm thinking
http://www.aa1car.com/...ary/2002/bf90222.htm

Thanks for all the help ill check the site out and let you know how things work hopefuly the less expencive does the trick.

We be here tomorrow good night.