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Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? UPDATE

Burbman

Burbman

New member
'98 GT with 145k miles, daughter's car. Transmission dumped its fluid due to a front seal failure a few years ago and was a total loss. Had it completely rebuilt at a reputable shop in Nov 2008, so that's 2 1/2 years ago now.

So she's on the road to her boyfriend's house in NJ yesterday, I get a call that and she says that the car is "surging". Sounded like the TC was unlocking/relocking, she described a momentary increase in RPMs with no change in speed. This is highway speed, 65 mph. I figure it probably needs a fluid change and tell her to keep going.

She calls an hour later to say that the car is dead. Last symptoms were trying to maintain speed uphill but losing speed no matter what. The engine RPMs would stay at 3000 regardless of how much the throttle was pressed, no downshifting was happening, but the car lost all forward motion until coasing to shoulder at 15 mph. Road service flat-bedded to a local shop and I'm waiting for a call now.

Is this trans toast again?? I'm hoping maybe this maybe something simple....any advice appreciated!

UPDATE

Tech refilled the trans and took it for a ride and it shifts fine! *phew*

Diagnosis: left side axle seal leaked all trans fluid out. Fortunately DD stopped in time before the trans cooked itself.

Tech said it looked like a bad pothole or impact on the left side caused some damage...axle shaft, wheel bearing, CV boot and trans seal all damaged. Will also service the trans with new fluid and filter, total bill in the $650 range. The GP lives on!!!
 
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Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Sounds a bit like it got hot. Then limped in 3rd until totally dying. If your daughter was the driver in both cases, then you need to rib her about it once it's fixed.

Meanwhile.. it sounds like it got hot and maybe low on fluid.
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

No kidding....I know she is a "sprited" driver LOL, but she's gonna have to start paying for her own rebuilds at this rate....

Actually she just graduated U of Hartfold, trans rebuild was done up your way by LaFleur Transmissions in Enfield CT.

Trans definitely got hot, she said it "smalled bad" when she got out of the car...the question is, will it run again once it cools off and is refilled with fluid? Also must be a leak somewhere if she lost the fluid in the first place.
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

I think I've heard of them, can't recall where they are in town though.

Well..if it's still under warranty and you end up having it brought up this way, give me a holler and we'll get lunch or something.
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Well, it's past the 2-yr warranty, so repairs are on my nickel...any advice is appreciated. I had the roadside service tow take it to the local garage in Rural Northern NJ that her boyfriend's family uses, I have no idea if the guy is any good or not...If he doesn't sound like he knows what he's doing when we speak this morning, then I'm going to get it with a trailer and go to plan B, whatever that is.....
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Plan B

Try fluid and have issues. Choose to get another trans off car-part.com from a JY with warranty of about 6 months unlimited mileage. Then take a look at the write up for swapping. First time out..figure 8 hours.
 


Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

You think there's any chance at all that I could revive it with a fluid and filter change?
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Burbman said:
You think there's any chance at all that I could revive it with a fluid and filter change?
Click to expand...
Here's what I would do (been playing with cars for 40 years now and dad was a top notch mechanic first for Chrysler then for New York City Transit Department he retired as head of all depots in NY. so I have pretty good instincts) remove and replace the trans filter remove the bottom line from the trans (I have done this on several vehicles of mine and if your are careful you are fine) put a funnel in the trans dipstick tube start engine with it in park or neutral. As the fluid drains keep adding fluid until it runs out clean (this drains the torque converter and not just the pan). Check the fluid make sure it is at proper level. Let car sit for 24 hors (make sure any air bubbles that you MAY have incurred are gone) Check fluid level again, drive 50 miles and check fluid level again, drive another 50 and check level one more time. Over the next two thousand miles or so made sure fluid is not burnt or going down. If not you are good to go. Every 30,000 miles change fluid and filter
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Thanks for the info! Right now it's over at the garage in NJ and I'm headed out of town on business tomorrow. Still waiting for the guy to call. I suppose I will have to call tomorrow if I don't hear anything. That's encouraging that it might have some life left in it....hate to spring for another trans right now. we are in the process of packing up and moving to KY and I've already crated most of the tools.
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Burbman said:
Thanks for the info! Right now it's over at the garage in NJ and I'm headed out of town on business tomorrow. Still waiting for the guy to call. I suppose I will have to call tomorrow if I don't hear anything. That's encouraging that it might have some life left in it....hate to spring for another trans right now. we are in the process of packing up and moving to KY and I've already crated most of the tools.
Click to expand...
What part of NJ? I was used to live in Dayton NJ and 8 years ago moved to TN where in Ky you headed to?
 


Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Car is at Mark's Auto in Sussex NJ...that's the NW corner off rt 23. We are moving down to Louisville, I'm relocating down there to work from the company';s HQ. We are suppoosed to move next week, bad timing for DD's GP to crap out on her way to visit her BF.
 
Re: Need Diagnostic help: Is trans totally shot? *again*

Burbman said:
Car is at Mark's Auto in Sussex NJ...that's the NW corner off rt 23. We are moving down to Louisville, I'm relocating down there to work from the company';s HQ. We are suppoosed to move next week, bad timing for DD's GP to crap out on her way to visit her BF.
Click to expand...
yep real bad timing, I used to have some cousins lived in sussex county. Good luck in Louisville, one warning once you hit the South the Italian food and Chinese food are terrible
 
UPDATE

Tech refilled the trans and took it for a ride and it shifts fine! *phew*

Diagnosis: left side axle seal leaked all trans fluid out. Fortunately DD stopped in time before the trans cooked itself.

Tech said it looked like a bad pothole or impact on the left side caused some damage...axle shaft, wheel bearing, CV boot and trans seal all damaged. Will also service the trans with new fluid and filter, total bill in the $650 range. The GP lives on!!!
 
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