1st Generation tranny issue

[Durango03]

I have a '97 Avenger ES.  Polo Green.  Pretty clean and runs good.  I just have a Tranny problem I dont know how to solve without dumping a ton of $$$$$ into.  In the mornings it doesnt like to go into gear and sometimes when it does, it likes to pop back out.  Its an Automatic BTW.  Once I get going down the road its fine and wont do it again til the next day.  I know this is bad for it cause in order to get it to go back into "D" I have to accelerate quite a bit and I hear it slam into gear and I hear a groaning noise.

'97 Avenger ES
Automatic
6 cyl.
CAI

[Cumminalong]

1 - Have you checked the fluid level?
2 - How many miles are on it?
3 - When was the last time it was serviced?

[Durango03]

I always check the fluid.

Has @ 17?,??? miles on it.

Fluid was changed (not flushed) 3 or so years ago.

[Cumminalong]

Original trans, 170K +, 3 years between servicing.........

I would think it's time for a rebuild. At the very least, it will need a seal kit.

As long as no hard parts are messed up and the steels and frictions are okay, the seal kits aren't too much money, it's the labor that will get ya.

[dodgtec]

Did you have the TCM scaned for any codes, Like loss of prime? Or the CVI's and a clutch test?