Kroyton

Hi Andy

Thanks for your reply.

I tried the key dance and it says "Done" which I gather means no codes to show.

Both sides of the wheel spin freely so I guess that rules out the drum

At first I thought it was the brakes but the fact that without moving forward (to unclog brake if it had a problem) but just moving from R to D and bank to R it frees it up for a few meters and then have to do R to D and bank to R again and again to get it to move easily

I think it might me something in the electronics that set the gear because again, nothing moved in that R to D to R shuffle, except the engagement of the R gear.

http://www.chryslerforum.co.uk/topic/373-grand-voyager-auto-jumping-in-reverse-problem/

That page said it might even be the alternator although I have had no charging issues, but you know how these things are, one sensor gives a dodgy reading and the electronics misinterpret.

Of course it could be the gear is stuck between R and Park I guess, the problem with Transmission shops is they just want to swap out very expensive parts such as whole transmission at £2.5k or other whole parts at £1.3k.

The above page also suggested an OBD2 but as you say probably useless at my budget.

I did find this software

https://www.obdautodoctor.com/

which can run on a laptop as well as phone, it has a free edtion as well as some better options

https://www.obdautodoctor.com/compare-editions

I am going to order a mid range unit and see what the above does, I guess it will be useful to own such a thing for diags,  I found the apps below in my search which may help others.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/car-scanner-elm-obd2/id1259933623?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/obd2-expert/id1142156521?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/carista-obd2/id954363569?mt=8

Thanks a lot for your help so far, any other suggestions of what to get them to look for next would be great!

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Hi,

Welcome! Hopefully we can help you out here. First a couple of easy ones.

ODB2 - Don't bother, they're pointless unless you spend best side of 400+ on them for this car, you'll get nothing other than basic codes which wouldn't give you enough info to investigate. Key dance, do a quick search on the forum, basically switching ignition on and off (not starting) 3 times leaving it at ON the last time, the mile indicator should then start to work through codes stored until it then displays END which is the last code. Good for getting the basic codes out of the system.

 

Onto your problem, since it only happens in reverse I'd be thinking more mechanical than gearbox, electrical, selector, etc. First thing, jack up on side of the rear then spin the wheel forward then in reverse, check it spins/moves freely/about the same in both direction. Then swap sides and do the same again.

My guess would be the rear drum parking breaks have either dropped apart or damaged in there and are jamming in reverse, so you really need to check that out first. Probably will need a drum repair/replacement kit (springs, clips, etc) as they're notoriously rubbish on these cars and often fail.

 

I'd say do that and then see what you get first before starting to look at worse case with the transmission, etc.

I have a Chrysler Grand Voyager XS bought recently, I have done less than a thousand miles of around town driving.

It is having a problem reversing, no issues with driving forward.

I can engage reverse but it feels as if I am reversing with a brake engaged.

If I go gently I can reverse the car but I am keen not to damage it.

I was trying to figure out if this is a handbrake issue or transmission issue, in diagnosing I found that if I move it from R to D and Back to R without moving it allows the car to reverse a bit, so if I keep doing that I can reverse a bit each time without the feeling of the brake,

I have seen suggestions that it may be a sensor or a fault with the alternator that impacts on Transmission Control Unit, but not clear on how I diagnose that.  I do not want garages to go on a "let's replace this that and the other" , I also do not want to pay a Transmission Shop a fortune if the issue can be resolved with a sensor.

I am wondering if the car is engaging R and Park at the same time, I am not clear whether Park is applying a brake or a gear?

Also considering an OBD2 adapter, these seem to be a minefield, from risky £7 chinese devices that report blow an engine management system, to £100 products that seem to be overkill.  Can anyone recommend an good one that supports Voyager?

Seen refererence 'key dance', anyone know what this is?

Any suggestions on a way forward, I bought this car because my last Voyager had a problem with transmission that was beyond economic repair.