Transmission Problems

[FLYBYU]

My 03 van started having problems with the transmission slipping about a year ago. I've phoned several transmission shops and have had it taken in to be scanned electronically. Electronically there were no problems, so I was told that the seals are worn out and it is letting oil bypass them. When I drive away from a stopsign or traffic light sometimes it will pause for a moment and then clunk into gear. One transmission shop owner told me he was suprised it lasted this long (150,000kms) and mentioned that the transmission in Venture vans is built so light that they all have problems at one point or another. I was just curious if anyone else has had these problems with theirs? I'm going to probably have mine rebuilt this coming summer, if it last that long.

[MagicRat]

let's assume you have checked the fluid level properly and it is good................

Have you ever had the transmission serviced? A flush/ filter replacement about every 25k to 50k miles is a good idea to prevent trouble.

In my experience over the past 25 years about one-third of problems like yours can be fixed by dropping the transmission pan, cleaning it out, replacing the transmission filter and then refilling with clean fluid.
This removes all the debris which can clog a filter and cause problems. However, about half the old fluid will not be drained out by this process. So you can have the transmission flushed as well. However, the filter must be changed. Don't just get it flushed.

[mhall02]

150,000 km, which converts to ~93,000 miles is all the transmission is worth?? My transmission has 182,000 miles on it, rebuilt under warranty at around 50,000 when my in-laws had it so after the re-build, has at least 130,000 miles and seems pretty good. Sucked out 6 qts of fluid when I bought it (around 130,000) and topped it back off. I think my father-in-law had it flushed or changed around 100,000 miles. Just did the fluid and filter in the last few weeks, ~50,000 miles after purchase. I would try new fluid and filter and see what happens, can't hurt and is much less than a rebuild (~$30 in fluid 8 qts on a '99 and $15 for the filter).

[FLYBYU]

Originally Posted by mhall02

150,000 km, which converts to ~93,000 miles is all the transmission is worth?? My transmission has 182,000 miles on it, rebuilt under warranty at around 50,000 when my in-laws had it so after the re-build, has at least 130,000 miles and seems pretty good. Sucked out 6 qts of fluid when I bought it (around 130,000) and topped it back off. I think my father-in-law had it flushed or changed around 100,000 miles. Just did the fluid and filter in the last few weeks, ~50,000 miles after purchase. I would try new fluid and filter and see what happens, can't hurt and is much less than a rebuild (~$30 in fluid 8 qts on a '99 and $15 for the filter).

A lot of weak parts are replaced when it's rebuilt. The transmission guy I was talking to said the transmission should last the life of the van once it's rebuilt. He said that he could show me the parts they replace and said he would trust them to run a watch let alone a transmission. Anyway I have had my transmission serviced, this actually all started to happen after it was flushed.

[mhall02]

Originally Posted by FLYBYU

A lot of weak parts are replaced when it's rebuilt. The transmission guy I was talking to said the transmission should last the life of the van once it's rebuilt.

I hope so, looks like I will taking this one past the 200,000 mark, like to get at least 220,000 out of it.

[cjstew4]

Originally Posted by FLYBYU

A lot of weak parts are replaced when it's rebuilt. The transmission guy I was talking to said the transmission should last the life of the van once it's rebuilt. He said that he could show me the parts they replace and said he would trust them to run a watch let alone a transmission. Anyway I have had my transmission serviced, this actually all started to happen after it was flushed.

My 97 Venture went out around the same mileage as yours at 95k mi. Had the same symptom as yours with that first gear upon intial slow or fast acceleration clunk. Turned out it was the presseure solenoid or some common part supposedly that goes out in these. Had to get a rebuilt put in for $1200 which with every 20k mi. fluid and filter changes, is doing fine 80k later. Stay away from the tranny flush. Heard it may just push stuff places it shouldn't be. Just do the filter and fluid change every 20-25k mi with sucking out / replacing a few qts as well every 8k mi or so. This way you are pretty much keeping good, red, fluid in there most of the time.