Description

Chrysler Neon 2001 Service Manual – 31TH Automatic Transaxle

If you are pulling a 31TH transaxle out of a 2001 Chrysler Neon, you need more than a Chilton’s summary. I have seen too many guys drop the pan, guess at the clutch application, then button it back up with a leak because they used a generic torque chart. This Service Manual is the factory book – 47 pages, published by Chrysler in 2001, and it covers the 31TH automatic transaxle from diagnosis to disassembly. It tells you exactly which clutch is slipping by reading the gear range, and it gives you the input shaft end play spec (0.008 to 0.060 inch) before you pull the case apart. That is the difference between a rebuild that lasts and a comeback next week.

Diagnosis and Testing: Use the Clutch Application Chart

The OEM manual includes a table on page 2 that shows which clutches and bands are applied in each gear position – Park, Reverse, Neutral, D, 2, and 1. You can trace a slipping condition through the chart: if the transaxle slips in D first gear but not in 1 first gear, the overrunning clutch is bad. If it slips in third gear and also slips in reverse, the front clutch is the problem. The manual explicitly warns you: “Unless the condition is obvious, the transaxle should never be disassembled until hydraulic pressure tests have been performed.” That is the kind of step-by-step logic that keeps you from tearing down a good unit. Pair this manual with a Chrysler Neon VIN Plate Decoding Technical Manual to verify the exact build of your 31TH before ordering parts.

Input Shaft End Play – Measure Before Disassembly

Before you remove the oil pan, the manual tells you to measure input shaft end play using Tool 8266 and dial indicator C-3339. The spec is 0.19 to 1.50 mm (0.008 to 0.060 inch). Record that reading – it determines the selective washer thickness you will need during reassembly. Skip this step and you will either have excessive clearance (clutch slip) or preload that burns up the bearings. The manual gives you the exact tool numbers, so you are not guessing with a dial caliper and a prayer. For the differential side, refer to the separate final drive disassembly procedure (not in this 47-page document, but the manual tells you where to find it).

Disassembly Procedure: Flush the Cooler First

Step one of the disassembly section: “If transaxle failure has occurred, it is necessary to flush the transaxle oil cooler and lines to remove debris and particles that could contaminate and/or fail a new or rebuilt unit.” That is a CAUTION, bold and all caps. I have seen rebuilds fail in under 500 miles because a tech skipped that step and cooked the new torque converter. The manual then walks you through removing the oil pan bolts (Figure 2), cleaning the sealing surface of old adhesive, and removing the oil filter-to-valve body screws. Every fastener location is diagrammed. Aftermarket manuals often blur those diagrams – this one is crisp because it came from the Chrysler printer.

3 Reasons to Choose OEM Documentation Over Aftermarket

First, the torque values in this manual are the ones Chrysler engineers wrote – not a downstream publisher’s interpretation. Second, the wiring and hydraulic circuit diagrams are production-accurate for the 2001 Neon, not a generic 31TH layout. Third, the troubleshooting logic (clutch application chart, pressure test requirements) is written for a technician who has to diagnose in a bay, not for a hobbyist reading on a couch. If you want a Chrysler Neon VIN Plate Decoding Information manual, we have that too, but for the transaxle itself, this is the only source you should trust. Manual Transmission documentation is a different animal – for the automatic, stick with the factory book.

Who Needs This Manual – And What It Covers

If you are a DIY owner with a 2001 Neon that has lost gears in Drive but holds in Manual Low, this manual will walk you through the hydraulic pressure tests before you drop the valve body. If you are a professional mechanic billing flat-rate, those 47 pages will save you the time of chasing TSBs online. The manual covers the 31TH automatic transaxle only – it does not cover engine, body, or electrical systems. But for transaxle work, it is complete: diagnosis, disassembly, and reassembly references. Need to decode the VIN to confirm your transaxle type? Check the Chrysler Neon 2000 VIN Decoding Technical Manual (the 2001 decoding manual is a separate document). For external info on manual gearboxes, see Manual Transmission resources – different physics entirely.

FAQ – Common Questions About This Manual

Does this manual include torque converter replacement steps?

It includes removal steps for the oil pan and valve body, but the torque converter removal is part of the transaxle disassembly procedure referenced on page 23. The manual assumes you have the correct puller tools.

Are fluid capacities and types listed?

Yes, but only for the transaxle itself. The manual instructs to use Mopar ATF+4. The capacity is not listed on the pages provided; you will need the full 47-page document.

Can I use this manual for a 2002 Neon?

No. The 2002 model year introduced changes to the 31TH valve body and shift solenoid set. This manual is strictly for 2001.

What diagnostic tools does the manual require?

Tool 8266 (end play set) and dial indicator C-3339 for input shaft end play. A pressure gauge is recommended for hydraulic tests. No scan tool is needed for these procedures.

Stop wasting time with third-party PDFs that reprint the same blurry diagrams. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and get the exact specifications Chrysler wrote for the 2001 Neon 31TH transaxle. Your rebuild will hold fluid, shift correctly, and last because you started with the right data.