Road Test

Ensure shift linkage, fluid level and condition are okay. Add fluid and adjust control cable as necessary. Road test vehicle, operating transaxle in each gear range. Check for slipping and any variation in shifting.
If vehicle operates properly at highway speeds, but has poor acceleration, torque converter stator clutch may be slipping. If acceleration through all gears is normal, but high throttle opening is required to maintain highway speeds, torque converter stator clutch may be seized. Torque converter must be replaced if stator clutch is defective.
In most cases, a slipping clutch can be determined by noting transaxle operation in all gear ranges and gearshift lever positions, and noting which clutches are applied under each condition. See TRANSAXLE ELEMENT APPLICATION table.
Process of elimination can be used to detect any unit which slips and to confirm proper operation of good units. However, although road test analysis can usually diagnose slipping units, actual malfunction usually cannot be decided. Practically any condition can be caused by leaking hydraulic circuits or sticking valves.

NOTE: Clutch volume may be checked using scan tool to determine if clutch is defective. See CHRYSLER 42LE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS article.

TRANSAXLE ELEMENT APPLICATION

Gearshift Lever Position		Elements In Use
"OD" Or "D" (Overdrive ON)
First Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Low-Reverse Clutch
Second Gear		Underdrive Clutch & 2-4 Clutch
Third (Direct) Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Overdrive Clutch
Overdrive		Overdrive Clutch & 2-4 Clutch
"3" Or "D" (Drive Gear, Overdrive OFF)
First Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Low-Reverse Clutch
Second Gear		Underdrive Clutch & 2-4 Clutch
Third (Direct) Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Overdrive Clutch
"L" (Low)
First Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Low-Reverse Clutch
Second Gear		Underdrive Clutch & 2-4 Clutch
Third (Direct) Gear		Underdrive Clutch & Overdrive Clutch
"R" (Reverse)		Reverse Clutch & Low-Reverse Clutch
"N" (Neutral)		Low-Reverse Clutch
"P" (Park)		Low-Reverse Clutch