Operation Characteristics At Various Fluid Temperatures: Overview

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Dodge Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Intrepid, 2002 Chrysler Concorde, and 2002 Chrysler 300M. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

42LE transaxle shift schedule depends on temperature of transaxle fluid. The shift schedule is modified to extend life of transaxle while operating under extreme conditions. Transaxle fluid temperature is measured by transmission temperature sensor, located in Transmission Range (TR) sensor.

If transmission temperature sensor fails, PCM will default to a calculated fluid temperature which is calculated from a combination of inputs. Calculated fluid temperature is continually updated and retained in memory for 20 minutes after ignition switch is turned off. When vehicle is started after an extended OFF time, calculated fluid temperature is reinitialized at a value between battery temperature and engine coolant temperature signals received from PCM. Calculated fluid temperature may become inaccurate during extreme operation, causing incorrect shift schedule. Highlights of various shift schedules are as follows: