My 2003 T&C LXi totally stopped moving. No limp mode, just gone.
Reputable local tranny shop has taken it out, and it quoting me about $3700 bucks to rebuild it.
It includes $775 for the overhaul kit and $464 for the torque converter. I feel like those 2 prices are way out of range. Or am I missing something?
I’m willing to pay a little more for quality work / products but… yikes!
That overhaul kit LISTS for $280.00 For $775 they better be including a new solenoid pack and electronics with it. Check with them again and confirm EXACTLY what you are getting for $775. A master overhaul kit usually comes with all clutches, steels, seals, gaskets, and sealing rings. $464 is too much for a torque converter. A rebuilt torque converter can be had for around $150. I would get a second opinion.
transman
You don’t have a problem with 2500 dollars labor for the transmission R and R and overhaul?
The price on the kit sounds a bit high but if it was a kit including all of the hard parts, solenoids, etc. I could see that much money.
This is a bit after the fact now seeing as how the vehicle is in pieces but what were the symptoms leading up to the vehicle not moving?
Jeez, a broken halfshaft can cause the vehicle to cease moving.
Did this shop scan the vehicle or anything or did they just pull it out and pronounce it dead?
Just based on the limited info you have provided this situation would make me a bit antsy.
It includes none of that. That’s all seperate.
Symptons leading up were late shifting and check engine light. Then, the check engine light went away. Then it died. I tried to get codes from the odometer and it showed nothing. They say they scanned it and got nothing as well.
Is the name of that reputable shop scAAMCO? AAMCO stands for All Automatics Must Come Out. In most cases a reputable shop could have told if your transmission needed a complete overhaul with a simple scan.
I don’t know where you live or what your local labor rates are, but I had one in a Caravan overhauled with a 12 month or 12,000 warranty about a year ago for $900. They even supplied a used case to replace mine that was badly cracked. Tell them they can get those parts a LOT cheaper from A and Reds Transmission parts in Kansas City. They ship nationwide. Call 866-780-7337.
The only thing you’re missing is the hole in your wallet.
I asked him. he said it includes the items you mentioned in the master rebuild kit.
Nope. it’s not AAMCO.
Now I’m wondering will it be rediculous to take it somewhere else?
They’re jerking your chain, all because they have it out and disassembled. Tell them they need to rethink that quote because they are way way out of the ball park. So far out that they are making it obvious that they’re sticking it to you.
transman
Unfortunately they will probably try to stick you with half of their ridiculous bid for taking it out and apart. That’s ridiculous too. They play this game every day. You may only play it once in your lifetime if you’re lucky.
Transman, once you have a unit out and on the bench, how long does it take you to gut it and put it back together? I once knew a transmission specialist who tried out for a job at a local Ford dealer by removing, overhauling, and reinstalling a transmission in a RWD Ford before lunch. Of course he got the position, but the boss was dubious before trying him on the job. Looking at the guy you wouldn’t have thought he could consistently get out of bed every morning. He was so crippled by a childhood bout with polio that if he had chosen to sit on his keester and draw welfare, no one would have complained. With braces on both legs, he still walked in a permanent “C” shape.
MG, Depending on what kind of unit is on the bench… With the OP’s (a 604 Chrysler) I can have one of those torn down and ready for the vat in about 30-35 minutes. While it spends 1 hour in the vat, I go to work on the valve body and soak the frictions. Once out of the vat the drums get inspected for excessive wear, bushings are pressed out and in, new sealing rings installed. Drums are then built with new piston seals, adjusted for proper clearance and air checked. Pump is rebuilt, all electronics are replaced. All updates performed then transmission is reassembled then air checked again. Total time uninterrupted, about 6-7 hours. About your guy at the Ford dealer, there is no way on gods green earth that you can R&R,and overhaul any transmission and have it in and running in 4 hours. Not PROPERLY that is. I was in the dealership world building transmissions. More than likely what he was doing was the R&R and just repairing what was broken inside the trans. No vatting, no replacing sealing rings or disassembling drums. He might have put new frictions in it also. If that was the case, I could have the OP’s 604 torn down and reassembled in an hour to hour and a half and ready to reinstall. I choose to build them the way I do, it pays off and I dont have comebacks, at least a comeback that was my fault.
transman
You can issue a “stop work” order, make an arrangement with another shop, and have it towed there. You will have to pay whatever labor charges already accrued. But the mere threat of doing this will perhaps bring on a change of attitude…Do not get emotional or nasty.
Thanks everyone. I’ve haven’t authorized any repairs. I’ve got another shop (quoting me 1200 to 1600 total) lined up to come get it Monday. So, I’m ready to go down there and tell them I’ll be moving on… We’ll see what happens.
I am keeping calm… it’s just on my mind and putting a damper on my weekend.
I’ve seen AAMCO operate, and it ain’t pretty.
My guess is, if you’re like thousands others, that somewhere in your paperwork youv’e authorized $500 for a "Pre-Estimate Removal and Tear Down. I’ll bet you have to pay the $500 before they release the van to the other shop on Monday.
It’s consistent with their nationwide business protocols.
Google “AAMCO Scams” and look at the long list of deceptive business practices and class action law suits.
wow…did thay hook it up to a diagnostic machine or a calculator?
Keep in mind that it was at least 36 years ago. The transmission may have only been a two speed to have been in need of an overhaul. There were no electronics involved. I suspect it was an adequate overhaul for the era. He kept the job for several years. They must have liked his work.
The OP said it was not scAAMCO.