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What will a bad input speed sensor cause the transmission to do on 1998 dodge grand caravan?

A bad input speed sensor (ISS) on a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan will prevent the transmission from receiving accurate information about the engine's speed. This will lead to a variety of problems, including:

* Transmission slipping: The transmission may slip because it doesn't know how much torque to apply. This can manifest as the engine revving high without a corresponding increase in speed.

* Hard shifting: The transmission may shift harshly or at the wrong times, due to incorrect calculations of engine speed versus vehicle speed.

* Overheating: Slippage causes friction, leading to excessive heat buildup within the transmission.

* Limp mode: The transmission may enter a "limp mode" – a failsafe where it restricts gear selection to protect itself from further damage. This usually means it'll only operate in a few gears, often only 2nd or 3rd.

* No start or no reverse: In some cases, a faulty ISS can completely prevent the transmission from engaging, resulting in a no-start or no-reverse condition.

* Check Engine Light: The malfunctioning sensor will almost certainly illuminate the check engine light and will store diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) retrievable with an OBD-II scanner. These codes are essential in diagnosing the issue.

* Erratic speedometer: While not directly related to transmission function, a faulty ISS often leads to inaccurate or intermittent speedometer readings because the speedometer relies on this sensor's input.

It's important to note that these symptoms aren't exclusive to a bad input speed sensor. Other transmission problems can cause similar issues. A proper diagnosis requires using an OBD-II scanner to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes and potentially further testing by a mechanic.