94 caravan-transaxle problem-maybe
madmanjohn
03-11-2008, 07:24 PM
Hello anyone- I need advice and fast. Ill try and get to the point as much as possible here.
I aquired a 94 caravan-3.3v6 2wd-knowing it had a problem but it was essentially free to me so it was worth it. so i thought. it acted like a cv joint was bad- and would vibrate real bad while taking off from a dead stop. worse when turning. I grew up in a garage and i know a few wrenches in town, but i got out of it about the time front wheel drives got started. so im rear wheel v8 knowledgeable- all brands but lost on fwd to a point. Anyway a trip to the local garage proved a passenger side spindle bearing was bad. ok replaced it. still the same problem. The CV was fine. I have been told by a few that this tranny is a cluster----!.however im pretty sure this is the non electrcal version.
anyway a few things ive read and other things ive been told, most seem to think its the transaxle, which i would accept if not for the price. the other thing i know from past fwd experience is that engine alignment and positioning are also critical here. heres the clincher- 205,000 miles plus on it at present time. i know already the front mount is soft, maybe shot and the end mounts dont appear to be any better. Ive also been told that these were notorius for transaxle related internal bearing issues.
the other noticable thing is that as you come to a stop, in the last few feet, every so often some thing slams hard. almost like a toolbox gets dropped onto the floor, but its trans related. Fluid is discolord, dont appear that its ever been serviced in its history.
Im not sure which trans it is yet, as ive only had it 3 days and had the hub bearing replaced today, which was shot, came out in pieces. all i know at this point is that its a four speed auto, shift on the column. Cant find a decent internal pictorial anywhere, but everyone is saying 2000.$ to replace it.:banghead:
any help or knowledge at al would help.
if this was a gm turbo350 or ford c6 it would of been fixed by now.could do them in my sleep.
nothing in this world is free, even a gift.:rolleyes:
thanks in advance- madman john
I aquired a 94 caravan-3.3v6 2wd-knowing it had a problem but it was essentially free to me so it was worth it. so i thought. it acted like a cv joint was bad- and would vibrate real bad while taking off from a dead stop. worse when turning. I grew up in a garage and i know a few wrenches in town, but i got out of it about the time front wheel drives got started. so im rear wheel v8 knowledgeable- all brands but lost on fwd to a point. Anyway a trip to the local garage proved a passenger side spindle bearing was bad. ok replaced it. still the same problem. The CV was fine. I have been told by a few that this tranny is a cluster----!.however im pretty sure this is the non electrcal version.
anyway a few things ive read and other things ive been told, most seem to think its the transaxle, which i would accept if not for the price. the other thing i know from past fwd experience is that engine alignment and positioning are also critical here. heres the clincher- 205,000 miles plus on it at present time. i know already the front mount is soft, maybe shot and the end mounts dont appear to be any better. Ive also been told that these were notorius for transaxle related internal bearing issues.
the other noticable thing is that as you come to a stop, in the last few feet, every so often some thing slams hard. almost like a toolbox gets dropped onto the floor, but its trans related. Fluid is discolord, dont appear that its ever been serviced in its history.
Im not sure which trans it is yet, as ive only had it 3 days and had the hub bearing replaced today, which was shot, came out in pieces. all i know at this point is that its a four speed auto, shift on the column. Cant find a decent internal pictorial anywhere, but everyone is saying 2000.$ to replace it.:banghead:
any help or knowledge at al would help.
if this was a gm turbo350 or ford c6 it would of been fixed by now.could do them in my sleep.
nothing in this world is free, even a gift.:rolleyes:
thanks in advance- madman john
drummertom
03-11-2008, 08:36 PM
I am no transmission expert but I am pretty sure it is electronic controlled in a 94. The slamming sounds like a motor/ transmission mount. Can you have someone hold the brake and give it a little gas and see if you have a mount moving?
wafrederick
03-11-2008, 08:44 PM
It is the electronic one,sounds like the happenings of the spider gear pin breaking for the final drive.Yes,this is a very common problem for the 4 speed auto and will destroy the case if not fixed in time.The 3.3 and 3.8 have the 4 speed for the transaxle.
tempfixit
03-11-2008, 09:17 PM
Here is a picture that may help you with the internal compotents:
http://www.robskorner.org/faqs/Trans/a604trans33.html#93v
If you do a fluid change be sure to use ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluid only.
Hope this helps
http://www.robskorner.org/faqs/Trans/a604trans33.html#93v
If you do a fluid change be sure to use ATF+3 or ATF+4 fluid only.
Hope this helps
madmanjohn
03-12-2008, 03:53 AM
:) thanks. at least now i have somewhat of a clue. one other question, i know thw whole trans probably needs help at this point. but is there a way to service JUST the area in question with out making major disturbances to the rest of the trans?
reason i say this is i got the van to use as a equipment hauler for lighting and pa equipment. im involved with 14 to 20 gigs each week- this thing is commited to moving stuff nearly around the clock and between tagging it, and title ins and the hub bearing, needless to say im on a tight budget. logic says go for it all but i just cant do that right now.:screwy:
are there any good publications out there on the dissasembly of or mopar service stuff that any of you know of?
thanks in adavance and bunches more:wink:
ps its been about 18 years since i had to get in a trans-not looking forward to this since i dont really have the tools or adequate place to do it anymore but really cant afford shop rate right now
--i just wandered off to a site that had pix-, let me guess- the panel facing the firewall on the backside of it is the access point correct?
assuming that, will the punkin come out of the case without complete dissasembly? better yet without removing it from the vehicle?(wishful thinking ill bet) please let me know. thanks. madman john
reason i say this is i got the van to use as a equipment hauler for lighting and pa equipment. im involved with 14 to 20 gigs each week- this thing is commited to moving stuff nearly around the clock and between tagging it, and title ins and the hub bearing, needless to say im on a tight budget. logic says go for it all but i just cant do that right now.:screwy:
are there any good publications out there on the dissasembly of or mopar service stuff that any of you know of?
thanks in adavance and bunches more:wink:
ps its been about 18 years since i had to get in a trans-not looking forward to this since i dont really have the tools or adequate place to do it anymore but really cant afford shop rate right now
--i just wandered off to a site that had pix-, let me guess- the panel facing the firewall on the backside of it is the access point correct?
assuming that, will the punkin come out of the case without complete dissasembly? better yet without removing it from the vehicle?(wishful thinking ill bet) please let me know. thanks. madman john
madmanjohn
03-12-2008, 05:33 AM
:runaround:
ok-some dumb questions i know- been doing some surfing and getting some not so great suprises.
one of the things i noticed when i first picked up the van was it was low on trans fluid.
ive been driving gm & ford for so long the last mopar i had to deal with was the 72 new yorker that was passed from dad to mom when he found something he liked better. at that time there was dexron 2 and type f.
so naturally i added the neccesary amount-nearly a quart of dexron 5 to this thing on sunday.:banghead: (newer is USUALLY better so dex 5 MUST be better than dex 2- right?:grinno: duh!)at that time i was still thinking i had a cv problem not trans.
another thing i seem to keep hearing from those who have had little or no trouble with the a 604 41te is that the magic number combination is every 30,000 for fluid and filter. this fluid looks like maple syrup at 0 degree weather.smells like tranny fluid at 205,000 miles......but all shifts normal.:runaround: the slamming occurs when the trans does the forced reurn to low in the last 2 to three feet of coming to a stop, and it only does it occasionally.but io have not ruled out motor or trans mounts yet- ill see more in the daylight, now that i know what im looking for
The other thing i noticed is that most seem to be severely undercooled when death does us part.
so- in consideration- i have no clue of its past history, but looking visibly under this hood, my best guess is that this thing was trouble free for most of its life. now it needs the usual rocker gaskets, and all the other things that go when lots of engine oil is applied to places it dont belong- not to mention the caked dirt- so safe to assume it was lucky if it got regular oil changes-dont look like the trans was ever pulled or serviced.too much crud at the bell housing bolts, and sensors.
another thing i am assuming here-the differential is oiled by the trans and is not separatly oiled in any other way- top it off, lets add some extra weight-hmm full conversion, raised roof and running boards with all gold trim on the outside, and the works on the inside. musta been sharp when it was new-
had to chase critters out of it before i could drive it when i picked it up.it had its residence on a farm for the last 4 years its been sitting.
so far i have not been able to locate anyone selling hard differential assemblys separately. low price for a rebuilt seems to be from an outfit called phoenix tranny rebuilds or somehting like that at 785.$guess what- they're in phoenix az- i'm 100mi from chicago. any money saved just got ate by frieght costs:banghead:
other than the trans and vibration problem- this thing runs great,drives nice,
seems to be easier than the average van on gas but not by much. other than a couple of dead lamps, the only money ive spent beond the tag & title was the 335$ to have the front wheel bearing installed.
at this point im about ready to say the best fix could be a hand grenade or some very well placed c4......:smokin:
right now i wish it was an econoline 150 instead-
the only thing i have not found out about is engine alignment vs axle shaft endplay. so then maybe its not as critical as i was told it was
if anyone has an idea on that id like to know that as well.
tyvm- madman john
ok-some dumb questions i know- been doing some surfing and getting some not so great suprises.
one of the things i noticed when i first picked up the van was it was low on trans fluid.
ive been driving gm & ford for so long the last mopar i had to deal with was the 72 new yorker that was passed from dad to mom when he found something he liked better. at that time there was dexron 2 and type f.
so naturally i added the neccesary amount-nearly a quart of dexron 5 to this thing on sunday.:banghead: (newer is USUALLY better so dex 5 MUST be better than dex 2- right?:grinno: duh!)at that time i was still thinking i had a cv problem not trans.
another thing i seem to keep hearing from those who have had little or no trouble with the a 604 41te is that the magic number combination is every 30,000 for fluid and filter. this fluid looks like maple syrup at 0 degree weather.smells like tranny fluid at 205,000 miles......but all shifts normal.:runaround: the slamming occurs when the trans does the forced reurn to low in the last 2 to three feet of coming to a stop, and it only does it occasionally.but io have not ruled out motor or trans mounts yet- ill see more in the daylight, now that i know what im looking for
The other thing i noticed is that most seem to be severely undercooled when death does us part.
so- in consideration- i have no clue of its past history, but looking visibly under this hood, my best guess is that this thing was trouble free for most of its life. now it needs the usual rocker gaskets, and all the other things that go when lots of engine oil is applied to places it dont belong- not to mention the caked dirt- so safe to assume it was lucky if it got regular oil changes-dont look like the trans was ever pulled or serviced.too much crud at the bell housing bolts, and sensors.
another thing i am assuming here-the differential is oiled by the trans and is not separatly oiled in any other way- top it off, lets add some extra weight-hmm full conversion, raised roof and running boards with all gold trim on the outside, and the works on the inside. musta been sharp when it was new-
had to chase critters out of it before i could drive it when i picked it up.it had its residence on a farm for the last 4 years its been sitting.
so far i have not been able to locate anyone selling hard differential assemblys separately. low price for a rebuilt seems to be from an outfit called phoenix tranny rebuilds or somehting like that at 785.$guess what- they're in phoenix az- i'm 100mi from chicago. any money saved just got ate by frieght costs:banghead:
other than the trans and vibration problem- this thing runs great,drives nice,
seems to be easier than the average van on gas but not by much. other than a couple of dead lamps, the only money ive spent beond the tag & title was the 335$ to have the front wheel bearing installed.
at this point im about ready to say the best fix could be a hand grenade or some very well placed c4......:smokin:
right now i wish it was an econoline 150 instead-
the only thing i have not found out about is engine alignment vs axle shaft endplay. so then maybe its not as critical as i was told it was
if anyone has an idea on that id like to know that as well.
tyvm- madman john
tempfixit
03-12-2008, 07:30 AM
Go to this site, it may help you somewhat:
http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy2/proxy.php?qurl=http%3a%2f%2farrc.epnet.com%2fautoa sp%2fframerq.asp
enter 123456789 for library card, then click on Hudson Library, scroll down to AUTO REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER and year and model.
I would drop the tranny oil pan and change the filter and fluid to start with and use ATF+3 or 4 fluid, I believe it is getting hard to find the ATF+3. I am no expert trans person by any means, possibly a new filter will help. I know alot of people will not agree with this but Get some Seafoam Trans Conditioner and put into a well warmed transmission and drive, being the vehicle at for 4 years valve body and servos may have become gummed up or varnished. Add this before doing the filter and fluid change. Maybe adding a extra trans cooler wouldn't hurt either with all the pulling.
Try alldata.com for more detailed info, its $25.00 to get a subscription for a vechicle a year but may be well worth it.
Hope this helps
http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy2/proxy.php?qurl=http%3a%2f%2farrc.epnet.com%2fautoa sp%2fframerq.asp
enter 123456789 for library card, then click on Hudson Library, scroll down to AUTO REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER and year and model.
I would drop the tranny oil pan and change the filter and fluid to start with and use ATF+3 or 4 fluid, I believe it is getting hard to find the ATF+3. I am no expert trans person by any means, possibly a new filter will help. I know alot of people will not agree with this but Get some Seafoam Trans Conditioner and put into a well warmed transmission and drive, being the vehicle at for 4 years valve body and servos may have become gummed up or varnished. Add this before doing the filter and fluid change. Maybe adding a extra trans cooler wouldn't hurt either with all the pulling.
Try alldata.com for more detailed info, its $25.00 to get a subscription for a vechicle a year but may be well worth it.
Hope this helps
madmanjohn
03-12-2008, 01:51 PM
:eek:
here is an update- for some reason- i never checked what it does in reverse
duh!
in reverse its totally normal- goose it as hard as i want, got to as high a speed as i could handle driving in reverse, totally normal.
at this point my gut tells me to stick with my first thought here-
cv joint or motor mounts-possibly lower control arm bushing-or strut....
if it was a differential or spider gear issue- it should do the same thing in both directions i would think, or the problem would move to the other side of the vehicle- at this time the problem is only in forward and confined to the passenger side.
the cv however- the pressure points would be against surfaces a lot less worn in reverse than in forward-hmmm- logic wants to say wear is wear in any direction- then it wouldent matter-
in forward there is less clearence for shafts and other components-
in reverse there is room to spare-however i cant see any visible signs of binding or rubbing anywhere- so moot point?!?
if i was 20 years younger and had more time and money this would be torn down all over my dads garage by now- i just dont want to throw away more money i dont have and also destroy a brand new hub bearing. bad enough the shop raped me on the part-they charged me double what i could of gotten it for.
I want to thank you all for everything. if the only good that comes from this is finding this forum and the people in it, then it was worthwile.
in the meantime:popcorn: still planning my next move- unfortunately- this thing has to go nearly 100 miles today.:screwy: ? maybe.......
they say insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results:banghead:
this is just one more of those numerous occasions when someone in detroit should be just kicked square in the nuts:naughty: for designing such a device the way they did this one. i have a running list- a lot of em seem to start with
!!@$!@@#! ford!- finally getting some mopar on this list after all these years. i had a daytona in the family for a short while- til someone decided they wanted it more than me. never saw it again. ironically it was a v6- may have even been the same trans for all i know and i put that one thru $*&^.
please excuse my ranting- oh well off to work- thanks for all and ill keep you posted- ESPECIALLY if i find the problem.:p
here is an update- for some reason- i never checked what it does in reverse
duh!
in reverse its totally normal- goose it as hard as i want, got to as high a speed as i could handle driving in reverse, totally normal.
at this point my gut tells me to stick with my first thought here-
cv joint or motor mounts-possibly lower control arm bushing-or strut....
if it was a differential or spider gear issue- it should do the same thing in both directions i would think, or the problem would move to the other side of the vehicle- at this time the problem is only in forward and confined to the passenger side.
the cv however- the pressure points would be against surfaces a lot less worn in reverse than in forward-hmmm- logic wants to say wear is wear in any direction- then it wouldent matter-
in forward there is less clearence for shafts and other components-
in reverse there is room to spare-however i cant see any visible signs of binding or rubbing anywhere- so moot point?!?
if i was 20 years younger and had more time and money this would be torn down all over my dads garage by now- i just dont want to throw away more money i dont have and also destroy a brand new hub bearing. bad enough the shop raped me on the part-they charged me double what i could of gotten it for.
I want to thank you all for everything. if the only good that comes from this is finding this forum and the people in it, then it was worthwile.
in the meantime:popcorn: still planning my next move- unfortunately- this thing has to go nearly 100 miles today.:screwy: ? maybe.......
they say insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results:banghead:
this is just one more of those numerous occasions when someone in detroit should be just kicked square in the nuts:naughty: for designing such a device the way they did this one. i have a running list- a lot of em seem to start with
!!@$!@@#! ford!- finally getting some mopar on this list after all these years. i had a daytona in the family for a short while- til someone decided they wanted it more than me. never saw it again. ironically it was a v6- may have even been the same trans for all i know and i put that one thru $*&^.
please excuse my ranting- oh well off to work- thanks for all and ill keep you posted- ESPECIALLY if i find the problem.:p
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