99' tranny gone with no warning!

[bulrid8]

Hello,

Have a 99' windstar with 167k on it. Driving down the interstate last night, there was a bump in the tranny and noticed the rpm's shoot up. Realized I lost drive. Shifted to second gear and it was still working. Got it off the hwy and to a truck stop. Put it in park and tried all gears. There is a grinding sound and it tries to move, but just jumps a little. When you start the engine, it has a grinding sound for about 20 seconds, then goes away.

I checked the fluid, it is full and does not smell burnt. No leaks any where. Had it towed to the closet dealer today, will find out on monday, what they say.

Anyone have a guess at what this might be? I read up on the broken pump shaft issues, but would this still allow it to try and catch a gear? Anything else that might cause this problem?

Thanks for any answers. I can't afford $3k for new tranny!!!!

[12Ounce]

If the fluid was actually "overfull", by the stick ... I'll bet on the pump shaft. I've also heard of the torque converter shell/drive plate fracturing ... giving similar symptoms.

There are other things that can go "thump" ... including a drive chain.

[bulrid8]

Do these require complete rebuilds?

[12Ounce]

The pump shaft alone does not require total rebuild. (The chain would.) In fact, the pump shaft can be replaced while tranny is still in auto (according to the "book"). The pump shaft breaking usually wipes out the "control valve body assembly", which is also easy to remove/install. However, both these parts plus labour is going to be a fairly large price ticket.

With the miles on your tranny, I would go ahead and replace the entire tranny with a Ford supplied rebuild ... not as expensive as you might think, especially if there is a sales promo going on now in your area ... and you get quite a warranty from Ford. I know this could be a little bit more out-of-pocket money ... but think what you get ... essentially a new start on the tranny.

Of course, we are leaping ahead ... your dealer may find something fairly easy to fix, that is not so costly, on your current tranny. I hope so.

[garync1]

I checked for when mine goes and it will run 3700 at one dealer and the other dealer will cost 3400 in my area both have 3 yr 100,000 mile warranty..Also they both are motorcraft parts with all new sensors and servos.. That's the better deal to me. Them sensors and servos add up.. Sorry for the cost but in your area could been even less.. I seen some get there's as low as 2500 installed.. Both of my prices I was quoted were with labor flushing system and flash programing if needed...

[wiswind]

My old '96 got a remanufactured tranny from FORD in about 2001.......at just under 100K miles.
Vehicle now has over 200K.....and the tranny is still doing very well.
I added a auxillary cooler....use synthetic ATF....that I change each year.
In short.....the Genuine FORD unit hurt the wallet....so I certainly know how you feel.....but was certainly the way to go as it has given me great service....and I am hoping for "a couple more years" out of this vehicle.

When mine went....I spent a number of hours reading on the internet......and there were lots of posts on various boards about localy sourced units that were cheaper not holding up.......
This is why I shelled out the money for OEM......I do NOT like going through it once.......and I don't want to have a repeat experience.......which costs more in the long run.

Something to consider if the vehicle is in good overall shape...and you plan on keeping it.

I can afford to replace my vehicle.......but the reason that I can afford it.....is because I don't unless I cannot feel confident in the reliability of the one I have.

[bulrid8]

I finally got a hold of the guy that built the tranny for my diesel. He builds them to handle anything and I have pounded the tranny in my truck!

He is going to rebuild my windstar tranny from the ground up and with all updated parts for $1250 installed. I will install a cooler and run synthetic in it.

I will see how it holds up. This guys has 30 years exp. in auto trannies and he is well respected.

[12Ounce]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Keep us posted.