The Chrysler 200 is arguably one of the most popular cars Chrysler has made in the past decade. Furthermore, we’ve also written about the ins- and outs of this car on this blog. Today we’re going to look at the transmission of this car and its various aspects. Let’s start with a quick overview:
From 2011 – 2015 the Chrysler 200 was equipped with the 62TE transmission. From 2015 to 2017, the 9HP48 transmission was placed in the 200. Both transmissions have had several technical problems caused by design flaws during their lifetime, making them reasonably unreliable.
However, that certainly doesn’t tell the whole story. Below we’ll talk about the lifespan of these transmissions, how much they cost when you want to replace them, and we’ll talk about the various problems and recalls they’ve had throughout the years. Finally, we’ll also talk about proper maintenance. Read on!
Also read: The Types Of Gas A Chrysler 200 Uses (Explained)
How Long Does a Chrysler 200 Transmission Last?
Both the 62TE and 9HP48 have different lifespans per each unique unit of the transmission. Some of these transmissions have been shown to have a lifespan of 200.000 miles before they need replacement. However, both transmissions have had technical problems, which cause some of them to be rebuild or replaced between 70.000 – 100.000 miles.
How Much Does a Chrysler 200 Transmission Cost?
The cost of a new Chrysler 200 transmission could be over $3,500, depending on the car. However, transmission services such as fluid changes and a transmission fluid flush are considerably less expensive, in some cases costing less than $150.
- 62TE Transmission costs around $3,500
- 9HP48 Transmission costs around $3250
Common Chrysler 200 Transmission Problems
There are the following issues that you must encounter before any big damage.
Also read: 7 Destructive Problems Of A Chrysler 200
62TE Transmission
The 62TE transmission is an average transmission in terms of quality. It’s not riddled with problems, but it certainly has its flaws mainly caused by improper design. Below we’ve described the symptoms you should look out for, together with what is most likely causing it and how to fix it.
- High pitched whining noise
- Poor shift quality
- Premature wear of the valve body
- Engine stalls
- Transmission shifts into neutral instead of 1-2
Of course, each of these problems has its causes and fixes. We’ve outlined these for you below.
- The high pitched whining noise and/or the poor shift quality can be caused by a faulty bearing in the torque converter that sheds metal into the transmission filter causing it to plug off. Partial disassembly of the transmission and replacement of the bearing and torque converter is needed.
- The premature wear of he valve body of the 62TE transmission is a design flaw that causes shift quality to deteriorate quickly once the 125.000 miles mark is reached. Changing the valve body is needed.
- Engine stalls normally occur when the transmission is put into Drive. Mechanical failure of the electronically modulated converter clutch variable force solenoid / EMCC VFS solenoid, which can cause the torque converter clutch to engage when it shouldn’t, is normally the cause. To fix the problem, the EMCC solenoid will need to be replaced.
- In Chrysler 200’s that are older than 2007 drivers may notice that the transmission shifts into neutral instead of from 1 to 2. Worn sealing rings that land on the low clutch housing is normally what you should look out for. Replace the housing of the piston and, maybe, also the one from the direct clutch to fix the issue.
9HP48
- 2015 Chrysler 200’s were recalled because there were not enough wire crimps in the wiring harness of the transmission. These crimps are responsible for powering the transmission sensor cluster. This could cause the transmission to shift to neutral unexpectedly.
- When accelerating from a dead stop, the transmission has trouble getting into first gear. The same then happens when you try and shift to second gear. Then, when the car does shift into third, it’s very aggressive and causes the car to lunge forward. This is mainly an ECU problem.
- Failure of the mechatronics and premature wear of the iron of the 9HP48 is common due to overheating. Rebuilding is the most effective solution.
Difference Between The Transmissions Of A Chrysler 200
The 62TE is a 6-speed automatic transmission that is derived from the 41TE. It weighs around 400 lbs with the torque converter and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. It has a min/max oil pressure of 70/135 psi when in neutral, 70/180 psi when in drive, and 230/260 psi when in reverse.
The 9HP48 is a 9-speed automatic transmission with an average weight of 189 pounds. It’s used in vehicles with an FWD or AWD system. It has a maximum torque of 480 Nm in gasoline cars and 450 Nm in diesel cars.
Transmission Fluids and the Chrysler 200
It is significant to keep checking the condition of your transmission fluid. Here is how you could check your car’s fluid. Lay the dipstick on a white surface to examine the color of the fluid. You could know the condition of the fluid with its color. If your fluid is healthy, it should have a reddish-pink color; if it’s getting to the point of needing replacement, it will be brownish-red.
If the fluid is dark brown or black, then you may be replacing more than just your fluid. The transmission fluids of Chrysler 200 will need to be changed every 40,000 to 60,000 miles. It is also a good idea to take your vehicle in for a tune-up every year to eighteen months. Flushing your transmission’s fluid has fallen out of vogue in recent years because the high-pressure cleaning involved may dislodge debris inside the transmission that can gum up the works.
- 62TE transmission requires Chrysler made ATF+4 synthetic type 9602 fluid
- RAVENOL ATF 9HP Fluid is suitable for use in automatic ZF transmission of 9HP-Series.
Sources
- https://tricitytransmission.com/about-tri-city/media-stories/latest-news/item/5858-case-study-2012-chrysler-town-and-country-transmission-problems
- https://go-powertrain.com/blog/your-comprehensive-guide-for-the-62te-transmission/
- https://at-manuals.com/manuals/62te/
- https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/62te/
- https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/zf-9hp48/
- https://at-manuals.com/manuals/zf9hp48-948te/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_9HP_transmission
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/44699308
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
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