2003 econoline van trany

My 2003 250e econoline van trany makes a clanging sound & doesn't move. Could it be the torque converter?

Thanks!

Yes it could be a broken torque converter, but it could also be other things such as bad clutch, solenoids, etc. When it "clangs" does it move the vehicle when it does so if you had little to no pressure on the brakes? Does it not move in any direction? And did you try ALL gears, not just D or R, but 2 and 1 also?

The van does move slightly, but slips bad all gears. can only get to 5 mph with engine revving high. Noise is heard while in park or drive

Well, I'm not familiar with the 250s personally, but it has the 5.4L engine so I believe you will have the 4R75W transmission which is just the newer version of my 4R70W. I'll be honest though, I don't know much about transmissions, but these are some things I've read about and had seen others experience first hand. My extent of transmission work is only performing a J-mod (drilling holes and removing springs from it).

Before you read on, eliminate all of the usual suspects - check the fluid. It should be properly filled and have a bright red color. If it is low or discolored and smells burnt, this may be your problem. If it got to this point, however, it would probably call for a transmission rebuild anyway

Moving on, I know there was a problem with plastic thrust bearings breaking apart, but I believe it was eliminated in 2003 to a revised one. If yours is plastic and it did break, it would cause your symptoms. This requires the replacement of the TC and a full transmission rebuild (all the pieces get into the clutches, valve body, and cooler).

Some better news may be a solenoid has failed. These are more easily fixed with dropping the pan and valve body and replacing. The MLPS sensor may also be to blame in some cases. The MLPS or incorrectly called the "neutral safety switch" is used with the PCM to command different gears and if it is not working properly, the transmission may not shift at all.