P1776 Diagnostic and Repair for 2002 Chrysler Intrepid 3.5L Transmission
I recently purchased a 2002 Chrysler Intrepid with a 3.5L engine, and it's now exhibiting transmission problems. The vehicle is throwing a P1776 code, which indicates 'Solenoid Switch Valve Latched in the LR Position' — a known issue related to the transmission control system. This is accompanied by a P700 code for 'Transmission Control System Malfunction'. The symptoms include sudden lurching when decelerating from 40 km/h, mimicking a manual gear shift or engine braking, even though RPMs are not at a level that would warrant such behavior. After this event, the vehicle fails to upshift properly — at 100 km/h, the engine runs at approximately 4200 RPM. The issue resolves only after a complete shutdown and restart, but this solution is temporary and must be repeated 3–5 times within a 15-minute drive. Given that the vehicle is valued around $3,000, I'm trying to determine whether repairing these transmission issues is worth the cost. What are the most likely causes — such as solenoid valve failure, wiring faults, or software glitches? And what would be the typical repair cost and success rate for a 2002 Intrepid with this fault?
The P1776 code on a 2002 Chrysler Intrepid 3.5L is most commonly caused by a faulty solenoid valve in the transmission valve body or damaged wiring to the transmission control module. Software issues are less common but possible, especially if there's a history of electrical interference. A diagnostic scan and physical inspection of the valve body are recommended before any repair work begins.