Codes P0320 and P0700…

[DoHio]

Hey guys, hello to all. Been a while since I last checked in but let me get right to it.

I don't drive the D like I used to, it gets fewer and fewer miles put on it every year, and on the way to the office this morning I'm sitting at the light in front of the office. When the light turns green I step on the gas (light throttle about to turn the corner) and there's a little stumble, the RPMs drop, and then it recovers but now the engine light is on.

When I parked and checked the codes it came up with P0320 and P0700. I'm assuming the crank position sensor based on a cursory google search. Would that be the consensus here?

How about the P0700? That's a transmission code of some sort but my FSM is at home… I saw one thread online about the tranny input and output sensors. I haven't driven but about 100 feet into the parking lot so when I take it home at lunchtime I'll have a better sense about any driveability issues.

Give me some feedback gurus.

[DoHio]

Well let me chime in on my own question.

Looked around a bit and it'd appear that the crank position sensor has indeed died. Hard starts, rough idle are characteristic of a failed crank position sensor in that the PCM has to rely on just the input from the cam sensor.

P0700 is a code that many times accompanies the failure of the crank sensor. On the drive home the tranny wasn't right at all…it was like I was stuck in 3rd gear. I decided to drive the freeway figuring third gear on the freeway is better than third gear with stop and go city traffic. Evidently since the crank sensor is out and the PCM has less than ideal info, the tranny controller response is to apply LOTS of drag to the transmission. I expect all will be well and starting, idling and tranny function will return to normal with a new crank sensor.

I'll update as I work through this.

[DoHio]

Hmmm…no one has anything to say??

29 views as of right now…

Hello…anyone??

[tomk]

You gonna make me go all the way down to the basement to dig up my powertrain manual?

In the words of Mel Brooks: "Work, work, work…"

[tomk]

Staring at it and, as others have noted, my guess is that you need to fix the P0320 first.

The transmission controller uses the crank position sensor in some situations to keep tabs on transmission performance (particularly the converter clutch) and, if the crank sensor is in the weeds, all manner of transmission problems can show up.

…tom

[IndyDurango]

When the engine stumbles, you can get any number of (TEMP) codes. If you know the CPS is toast, swap it out, clear the codes and review drivability from there. The likelihood of multiple things happening all at once is small.

As far as chiming in… we have a lot of lurkers (that's GREAT!) and I just got home from work.

IndyDurango

[DoHio]

Thanks guys. Tom think of the basement trip as exercise… no, think of it as… well, just think of it as a huge inconvenience. Thanks though… lol.

I find it interesting that the programming for the crank sensor causes the tranny to drag like it did. I didn't have time to work on it today, I close early tomorrow and will get the sensor tomorrow afternoon.

Good to see some of the long time DOC people. I'm going to make it a point to get back on the digest more.

Thanks again.

[DoHio]

Bought the sensor today. Took about 20 minutes to pull the old one and install the new.

Cleard the codes and the P0700 came right back. Tried to clear it twice…still there. The good news is that all is well, runs good again, zero tranny issues. Since the tranny codes are stored in the tranny controller I'll wait a few days and miles and on/off cycles. I'm assuming the code will clear and the check engine light will go out.

[jimbo]

When I've seen a P0700 on a Chrysler, it's usually the transmission speed sensor. Sometimes the core is followed by several other P070X codes.

[DoHio]

Thanks Jimbo, at this point it's P0700 only and then Pdone.

I'll try to drive it a bit this coming week and see if it goes away.

[jimbo]

I don't know about the 45RFE, I know the speed sensor on the 46RE is a simple change out.

[tomk]

The RFE tranny (IIRC) has multiple speed sensors.

I believe the 01 has a separate PCM and TCM. My '03 had the "NGC", which put both things in one box (not just physically; it looks like the two functions were fully integrated onto a common set of resources… e.g. there's no wire you can cut to disable torque management), so my '03 powertrain manuals are of limited use here.

If the code doesn't go away in a week, it'd be worthwhile to get the code pulled and see what it's complaining about.

[DoHio]

Correct, the '01 has separate modules. The way the tranny is configured the codes can't be read by doing the key on/off trick… it shows the P0700 but not the 'sub' codes. I've heard conflicting stories on the code readers… one person said that an OBDII reader will show the 0700 PLUS the other more specific tranny codes while another said it's available only with a scan tool.

I'm thinking I might need to buy a code scanner… which would help with some of the other vehicles we have… namely the 98 Rodeo.

Thanks again for the input.

[jimbo]

My AutoX-Ray scantool was able to give the Tranny subcodes on some newer model Caravans. You might see if AutoZone can pull the codes for you.

[DoHio]

Thanks I'll give them a try.