Transmission temp light problem

Asked by Shantina84 Sep 13, 2018 at 11:41 PM about the 2008 Dodge Caliber SE FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

What does it mean when your transmission
temperature light come on, I mean the car
drives fine untill the car gets to normal
temperature then it quits pulling but the car
temperature hand never gets passed the
normal level an nevers runs hot, do I need a
new transmission or new sensors.

9 Answers

42,870

There are two temperatures here. Your engine is running at normal temperature but your transmission is not. Check your transmission fluid level to see if it is low. If you still have trouble, take to a transmission shop to have it scanned and checked out further before damage is done. You might only need a fluid and filter change if it was never done at 30-50K miles. Or like you said, it might just be a false alarm from a bad temp sensor.

16 people found this helpful.
190

I am also having the same issue. I have had this same issue for the past 4 years. I drive several hours at highway speeds. The Transmission Temperature light comes on. If I go slower the light does not come on & I can continue to drive the car. I can drive about 5 miles before the car goes into "limp mode". I was just informed I need to have the Radiator replaced along with 2 thermostats, and the Coolant Manifold seal. I have the Lifetime Warranty but because the service was not performed I will have to pay out-of- pocket for this = $1,575.00 + tax. REALLY. I agree this seems like an ongoing issue that A LOT of people are having.

13 people found this helpful.
130

This happens to my 2007 Dodge Caliber about every 6 to 8 months. It will run fine no issues at all then all of a sudden it starts doing it again. I just had my oil changed and they check the transmission fluid said everything was fine but must be in the transmission.

13 people found this helpful.
140

Same issue here. I would drive one hour from the valley to my house in the mountains and the transmission temp light comes on. TIP: pull over , shut the engine off, wait 10 minutes and it’s fine after that. I had my transmission serviced, the problem stopped for a year and then came back. I am currently trying to get the problem fixed. Filters changed, transmission stills looks fine, oil levels still good, and still have the problem.

13 people found this helpful.
90

My 2007 is doing the same thing. I am going to put CVT transmission fluid to see if that helps. Wait a few minutes back to normal. Driving 1 hour. I am afraid to go any farther. any suggestions?

9 people found this helpful.
40

I’ve had the same problem for years. About every 40k mikes I’d have to flush and fill the transmission fluid and it would be fine after that for a few years. However there is a transmission cooler so this should never be a problem. I’m thinking the line is clogged or the thermostat might be faulty and not giving the signal to run the fluids into the cooler.

4 people found this helpful.
130

I also am having this same issue I have 250k miles and it just started doing this. I had never had this problem ever until now and got my 09 caliber SE 2.0 NEW with maybe 8 miles on it engine temperature stays normal (in middle) but my transmission temp light or whatever that light is comes on after driving on the highway for awhile and it starts winding pretty loud when trying to speed up and won’t get up to speed. I seen videos of ppl replacing the cooling radiator with an aftermarket one and they say it works fine after that but first I’ll try changing the transmission fluid for the first time ever and see what happens. Then I’ll look into the cooling radiator if it keeps happening. This transmission is solid and can’t get inside to change filters and no dipstick to check fluid levels either. The only time I had to put fluid in was when I replaced the one axle cause fluid spilled out once I took axel away from transmission so I had to “eyeball” the amount that spilled out but I’m sure I put plenty back in if not maybe over filled it once this started. It first started in my way to Chicago about half way I pulled over got fluid put a quart in and seemed to be fine I made it there and back to Missouri just fine after that first time

9 people found this helpful.
130

Correction my 09 Dodge Caliber SE 2.0 has just over 260K miles and had NEVER had a transmission problem till now. Well actually it went into “limp mode” very first time a few months ago on my way to Chicago about half way so I stopped put a quart of fluid in and I didn’t start acting up until now (“couple months later”) it’s doing it every time I drive for about and hour on the highway so I stop let engine/transmission cool down then continue to drive again. Changing fluid tomorrow 10/31/20 will update after fluid change and test drive

4 people found this helpful.
30

Could be power band going when mine went in my 2010 it still drove on there other band but the shards took the out the other band next day had to replace trans also might need trans cooler and really really look under the car trans could be getting issues if axle was under strain pressure from possible subframe rott or lower ball joints if shocks in from are bad will cause lower control arms to go I got 230 k on mine and redid the front in moogs but subframe but usually you here that whine like it's super charged and it's not you trans might be on its last leg

3 people found this helpful.

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