Transmission slipping in the hot weather only

2008 DODGE AVENGER
148,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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DILLI
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My automatic transmission shifts first and second gear properly, but the third gear which is supposed to shift at thirty mph with lower rpm. It does not shift until it reaches over forty mph and the fourth gear only shifts when it reaches over fifty eight mph in cold weather which is usually shifted at forty five mph. These shifting only happens when the temperature outside (weather) is higher, usually when it is over eighty degrees Fahrenheit. This problem only happens in summer or in hot weather. I deliver pizza on this car so I drive it all day and the problem never happens in winter. The engine coolant is always at operating temperature and it has never been overheated. When I spray a lot of water on the radiator and transmission cooler in the hot weather then It starts shifting regularly but it only lasts for about thirty minutes, then again it goes back to irregular shifting. If I Spray water again It would shift normally. To diagnose this problem I flushed my radiator properly and added a brand new coolant. The transmission fluid is in good condition. It does not smell burned and it is at the proper level. I recently brought an external transmission oil cooler which you can see in the photo below. I installed this oil cooler but the problem still continues.
I believe the cooler I Installed might be too small and it is very cheap and it is not cooling the fluid enough. It only cost me about $40.00. Should I Install a better cooler or do you have any other suggestions?
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Jul 24, 2018 at 5:31 PM
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STRAILER
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It sounds to me like the engine coolant temperature sensor may be giving you problems telling the computer to lower line pressure inside the transmission. To confirm the issue scan the PCM to read the value of the ECT or replace it with a new part. Here are guides and the location of the sensor:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Jul 27, 2018 at 11:34 AM
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DILLI
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I have replaced the engine coolant temperature sensor with new one, but the problem is still occurring. When I touch transmission fluid lines going to radiator, I do not feel significant temperature difference between incoming and outgoing lines. They feel about the same, maybe 1-4 degrees difference. I even scanned the PCM and I do not find any code related to the transmission or engine. Please help me solve this issue,
Aug 4, 2018 at 11:18 AM
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STRAILER
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The difference in fluid temperature sounds correct is the line super hot? A cooler will help but I think we should service the transmission and see what happens. Here is a guide and diagrams below to help you get the job done. Let me know the condition of the fluid by uploading a video if you can. Use your phone and upload it in your response.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Aug 4, 2018 at 12:06 PM
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DILLI
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I uploaded the video. It shows the transmission fluid color and condition.
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Aug 16, 2018 at 7:49 AM
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STRAILER
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You have the cooler connected correctly and you will not be able to tell a big difference in temperature which is normal. The fluid color is good does the transmissions till slip when warm with the cooler?
Aug 16, 2018 at 12:05 PM
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DILLI
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The transmission only slips when the weather is hot. If I start the car cold and transmission is not warm, but weather outside hot, It will still slip. The only time it not slip is when the outside weather is cold. When its slipping in hot weather and I put water on radiator, then it will shift normal, but only more couple of miles and then it goes back to slipping again.
Aug 16, 2018 at 1:36 PM
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To me it sounds like you have a transmission pressure control solenoid that is going out. Here is a diagram to show you what to replace. But before you do can we run the codes to see what come up?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Aug 17, 2018 at 10:04 AM
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DILLI
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There is no code that is related to tranmission.
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:08 AM
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STRAILER
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The pressure control solenoid is the only thing I can think of that would cause this issue.
Aug 18, 2018 at 12:58 PM
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DILLI
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If the pressure control solenoid is bad will it put check engine light on? Because when I scan the PCM I do not see any codes. Can you also show picture how to change solenoid?
Aug 18, 2018 at 6:28 PM
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STRAILER
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If the pressure control solenoid is out it may or may not trigger a code depending on the failure. It is the only thing I can think of that would cause this problem. That is all the diagrams they give for the repair.
Aug 20, 2018 at 9:04 AM
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DILLI
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Hello, Ken, I replaced the Pressure control solenoid with the right part and confirmed with the dealer. I had to take the valve off to replace the solenoid. After putting everything back and adding new fluid the transmission only works into the reverse gear. The transmission goes into all gear but the does not move unless its in reverse. There is only code P0700. When I put in the park the parking brake does not engage. When I first started the car in park I did not feel anything wrong until I put in the Drive It staled. It happened a couple of times but after idling the engines for a couple of minutes and when I put it in drive it does not stall but instead, it feels like in Park but when I put in the park the starts rolling. When I put it in drive I does feel like its in drive but when release the brake it feels like its in park. Can you please help me to find you the solution. Its showing code P0700 only
Apr 25, 2019 at 2:26 PM
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STRAILER
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The PO700 is a general transmission malfunction which could be caused by a bad valve body or solenoids. I would remove each solenoid and test them manually using a simple 12 volt power source, They should click solid when voltage is applied, here are diagrams for the locations. Also I have seen the computer cause this issue as well. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on, that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Apr 27, 2019 at 10:44 AM
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DILLI
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I checked the solenoid they do click when volatage is applied. I think there is something wrong with the valve body. Here is the video showing that it does move in the reverse gear and it moved in the drive too but just for couple seconds and it stalled. And then it just doesn’t move but the engines sound like it’s under load but the wheel doesn’t move
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May 2, 2019 at 11:40 AM
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STRAILER
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Yep, I updated the post above this one to show you how to remove the valve body which contains the solenoids so you can get the problem fixed. Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
May 2, 2019 at 1:40 PM
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DILLI
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I removed the valve body twice before when It won’t shift and now I am going to install new valve body and I will upload video of old and new body
May 2, 2019 at 1:55 PM
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DILLI
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Your post above shows the solenoid shift control not the valve body.
May 2, 2019 at 1:58 PM
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STRAILER
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Correct, the shift control is what I would replace they had problems with them.
May 3, 2019 at 12:04 PM
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DILLI
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I am gonna replace the valve body first and if it does not solve the problem then I will replace the shift Control. Could also tell where is the TCM (Transmission control module) is located.
May 3, 2019 at 5:51 PM
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STRAILER
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Transmission Control functions are built into PCM. PCM is mounted to bulkhead in left rear of Engine compartment. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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May 4, 2019 at 10:07 AM
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DILLI
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I have changed the Valve body and shift control block and all the sensor. Now the car moves in first gear but It does not shift into second gear. After first gear when It try to shift into second it feels like in neutral. I am getting three codes P1607 P0700 and P0732. I think it is maybe because of bad PCM.
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May 11, 2019 at 12:30 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, that would be the next place to go, can you remove the electrical connector and check for corrosion first. Here is the location. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

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May 13, 2019 at 12:54 PM
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DILLI
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Hello sir, I changed the whole transmission. I replaced the transmission from Pick a Part. I had 80k Miles on it and it is pretty good condition. I added new fluid and filter in the transmission. I also changed the old the electric connection to the transmission. when I start the transmission for the time it shifted into the drive, reverse and other gears fine. Then I drove about 3 miles and it was shifting very smoothly then it started acting weird. The first thing I noticed it started delaying the transmission gear. for example 4th gear is supposed to shift at 45 mph but it wont shift until 55 mph. Then I stopped in parking lot checked the fluid and it was at good level. Then I started the car again and I noticed it engage into drive late. When I shift from park to any gear it takes about 2 to 3 seconds to engage. and then it started jerking when shifting. Everything was fine first 3 miles. But then It was acting weird. I even cleared the any codes before the starting the car for first time. The code that I am getting is Trouble code P0700 MIL Request and Freeze frame Data P0732. These codes were coming from the old transmission. I cleared it but then came back on. It shift in and out of 2nd gear but not very smoothly. I am assuming that it is the computer gone bad. Please help me so I can fix this car. Please Help me sir
May 27, 2019 at 7:56 PM
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It sounds like the turbine sensor has gone bad or there is a bad connection at the in the input shaft sensor. here is the location. Check out the diagrams (below). Please get back to us.
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May 29, 2019 at 5:52 PM