irishmom

had tranny done in march...van started making a thumping sound on the front drivers side. Was going to take it in, but went to drive the van and the van tires don't move...any ideas..????

imamacanac

Had a similar problem on a 88 Caravan. The drive axle on the drivers side went. After replacing it 2 months later the differential went locking up the front wheels. Is there any Transmission fluid on the ground underneath the drivers side front, behind the wheel?.

irishmom

There isn't any tranny fluid (or any other fluid leaking). Do you know how much it would cost to fix it if that is indeed the problem? Just so I have a ball park figure.

Thanks for letting me know..appeciate your input.

luth

i just delt with looking at a diff repair last month on a 1990 caravan and i was told it would be 800 - 1000 to rebuild the diff and more if they found more problems when they got in there

hope you have better luck than I did

irishmom

WOW that much!!! I just put in 1000 for a new tranny and now this..i only paid 2000 for the van to begin with~~~ ARGH!!!! do you think that's the average price??? I guess I'm gonna have to check it out myself..but you know they're gonna find more wrong with it....hhhhmmmm Thanks though for the info..

RexNfx400

You paid $1000 for a "new" transmission? Was that installed too, for that much? How about a warrenty? Just curious

Here some info: The Differential, is part of the transmission. The differential has to be guaranteed with the transmission rebuild with normal use. The differential is subject to quick failure if excessive burn-outs are done. Or getting stuck in mud or snow and spinning wheels wildly. Its very easy to spot differential abuse, upon inspection. Which would void any diff guarantee...

Quick test for Diff failure or gear train in transmission failure:

With engine running:
Put car in park with E-brake off. See if you can push the car.

Put car in nuetral with E-brake off. See if you can push car.

Now, with engine off:
Put car in park with E-brake off. See if you can push the car.

Put car in nuetral with E-brake off. See if you can push car.

Try those if you like and we could narrow down the failure, maybe

irishmom

Um..nope..not a "new" tranny, a used one. I figured it wouldn't last too long, but I was hoping at least a year or 2 so I could get a new(er) vehicle...Man this is really argh @@ blah #$%! I'm going to go and try those tests you suggested and I'll post back...Thanks so much!

irishmom

Okay did test on the van.....van tires only move fully when the van is running and in neutral...what does that mean?

Thanks

RexNfx400

Well, that means:

• The axle shafts are ok

• The final drive (differential) is ok

• Either, the van will not move because the transmission filter is completly plugged. Or, Stripped splines on one of the, many, different parts with in the tranny. Also, the filter only plugs from major failure or not being changed for 10-20 years.

Its fairly certain its going to need another transmission, thats about the best a transmission guy could diagnose, over the net, sorry for bad news...

irishmom

That is a major downer....thanks for the help though...