Why is my Plymouth Grand Voyager stuck in second gear?

Short answer: When a 41TE (also called A604) automatic in a Grand Voyager detects a problem, it goes into 'limp mode': it stays in second gear (plus reverse) until you shut the van off. The cause can be electrical, like a dirty ground, a corroded connector between the transmission computer and the solenoid pack, or a bad relay, or it can be inside the transmission. Check the cheap electrical stuff and read the transmission codes before you pay for a rebuild.

Symptom: Takes off in second gear or stays in second, won't upshift, sometimes slips to neutral when trying to shift to third, then works normally for a while after a restart. All gear lights on the dash may light at once.

What to check first

1. Read the transmission computer's codes with a scanner that can talk to the Chrysler transmission module. A basic engine code reader won't.
2. Clean the ground eyelet bolted to the transmission dipstick bracket. Owners say a dirty ground there causes all sorts of transmission computer problems.
3. Unplug, clean and grease the 8-pin connector between the transmission computer and the solenoid pack.
4. Check the transmission control relay in the underhood fuse box.
5. Check the fluid level and condition using the Mopar ATF type your owner's manual calls for (ATF+4 replaced the original ATF+3).

Likely causes

1. Poor ground or power to the transmission computer. A forum member said all the dash gear lights coming on at once points to the computer losing power, an electrical problem rather than a mechanical one.
2. Corroded TCM-to-solenoid connector. One owner said cleaning that 8-pin connector and packing it with dielectric grease fixes his limp mode for about 8 months to a year each time.
3. Speed sensors or solenoid pack. Owners replace input and output speed sensors and the solenoid pack, but on one van this didn't fix it.
4. Internal transmission wear. If electrical checks pass and it slips going into third, the problem can be inside the transmission.

What it usually costs

A 1996 Grand Voyager owner at 172,000 miles replaced the transmission computer, solenoid pack and both speed sensors, and changed the fluid and filter, without fixing it. Owners didn't post shop prices for a rebuild. Start with the free and cheap checks.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Limp mode is meant to get you home. You can drive slowly in second, but don't use it on the highway, and stop if it slips. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Ground, connector and relay checks are DIY. Reading the transmission codes needs a capable scanner. Internal repairs or a rebuild are shop jobs.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• No recall covers the limp mode problem.
• NHTSA complaints: 492 keyword-matched complaints for Plymouth Grand Voyager and Voyager 1996–2000 (of 3,307 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-18; keywords: transmission, second gear, 2nd gear, limp, shift, slip) (NHTSA returned no complaint data for 1 model-year queries).

What owners report

• In A604/41TE transmission problems HELP on The Chrysler Minivan Fan Club, a 1996 Grand Voyager owner with 172,000 miles was stuck in limp mode after replacing the computer, solenoid pack and speed sensors. Members suggested cleaning the ground eyelet on the dipstick bracket and checking the transmission relay. Another owner said cleaning and greasing the 8-pin connector keeps his van out of limp mode for 8–12 months at a time.
• On r/MechanicAdvice, a 1996 Grand Voyager 3.3L owner asked Chrysler transmission techs for help with the A604, and owners on the Minivan Fan Club discussed an intermittent TCM wiring problem.

My take

My advice as a former lot tech: before anyone sells you a transmission for one of these vans, clean the ground at the dipstick bracket and the solenoid connector. I've seen the 'blown transmission' turn out to be dirt on a ground.

Vehicle focus: 1996–2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager and Voyager with the 41TE (A604) four-speed automatic; Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country of the same years share it.

Safety / mechanic note

A transmission stuck in second gear limits speed and can slip. Verify with a mechanic.