Anyone know a place to buy a rebuilt trans for a Plymouth Voyager Van?

[Torque King Jay]

I've got a 94 Plymouth Grand Voyager with a 3. 3 V6. It's never had trans problems before and it doesn't slip at all. Shifts fine and all the gears work. It's got 132,000 on it. After you've been driving and come to a stop it will sometimes stall. It will sometimes try to lurch forward on you when you are sitting at a stop light with your foot on the brake almost like the transmission is mechanically trying to lock up instead of just slipping. When you start the van up and put it in Drive or Reverse a few seconds after it's in gear you can hear a random chirping noise coming from the transmission almost like a belt squeeking. Replacing front wheel drive transmissions doesn't look like fun to me. What should I do?



Is it repairable or do we have a terminal illness?



If it is terminal where is the best place to buy a remanufactured transmission?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Just a guess but sounds like the torque converter to me. bg

 

[MMeier]

Sounds like a tcc engagement problem to me, quite possibly caused by a bad solenoid or a computer glitch of some sort. Any reputable repair shop (no, not your local dealer) should be able to hook up a scan tool and see whats going on. Mark

 

[Torque King Jay]

Thanks for the help. I'm clueless on these.



MMeier, If it is a TCC problem and it is related to a computer problem or a bad solenoid how much do you think it would cost to have it reflashed or the solenoid replaced? Will they have to take the transmission out to do this work? Is it just cheaper to replace the transmission?

 

[lgibson]

You have a 604 transmission which has a very complicated electronics setup. The transmission goes into limp mode for many reasons, like battery voltage low/high or engine temp. got too high. Disconnect the battery for a few minutes to reset it. How is the fluid? These transmissions can overheat and can dump metal into the pan.



After you connect the battery drive it. If the same problem persists than I would suggest you take it to a good shop. There is a solenoid block under the black cover on the front of the transmission that can get plugged with metal flakes. It also has two sensors one input speed sensor and the other turbine sensor. These have little magnets that the metal flakes stick to and causes bad readings. These things a shop should be able to check for you.

 

[SGibson]

The 604 has been upgraded several times since it came out. I had one in an Aeromate go out and I bought one out of a wrecked 3. 3/3. 8 minivan for 400$ took me 5 hrs. to swap so labor shouldn't be too high, have the shiftcable changed while your at it, they tend to fray where they make a 90 at the end. My trans. did what yours is doing, skipped limp-home mode and went directly to AFU mode.

 

[MMeier]

TKJ, pretty much what the last two responses say, just take it to a reputable shop in your area and let them check it out.

 

[Torque King Jay]

Thanks for the help guys it is much appreciated. Here's the latest on the van.



I have a local shop that has a great reputation for being able to repair what's wrong without nailing you for a new transmission when you don't need it. I talked to them at length yesterday and they have a feeling that it is the torque converter. He said that they have replaced quite a few converters in these transmissions and that was the only thing wrong. He told me it would be $400 to replace the converter if it needed it and that would include a full service of the transmission. I asked him the dreaded question "what if" it needed a complete rebuild. Just by the tone of his voice he seemed like it was not going to be necessary , but if he had to do it it would be about $1400. One good note is that he wants to hook it up to their diagnostic computer to check to see if it is something simple before he goes any further. I'll let you know what happen I take it in today. Thanks Guys!

 

[Torque King Jay]

***Update for those of you who helped me***



Took it in to the shop that did my friends 56' T-Bird transmission. Sure enough the torque converter is munched. Had some metal come apart from it. The guy was willing to replace the converter for $475. 00.



I figured with 130K on the odometer, and we plan on turning this vehicle over to our courier business for small and medium size packages, I decided to have them do a rebuild. They are going to charge $1400 for it. I figured it's worth it. We've put virtually no money in the van for repairs. It runs great it's in good shape and it has new tires on it. That and I didn't want my girlfriend to get stuck while doing a delivery far away from home and have it crap out. I thought about the doing it myself and I just don't have the time. I'll have it back by Friday.



Thanks for all the help guys. It's great having resources like you people to back me up in a pinch.



Thanks



Jay R.