As far as I can diagnose, the torque converter in my son's '03 Taurus just bit it last night.
I guess it's a common problem in these things - the splines in the pump-shaft drive section of the unit shear off, and you are dead in the water.
Looking for suggestions of a place that'll do a good job. I don't have the time or equipment to drop a FWD trans and do a converter swap.
more ambition than brains said
May 16, 2021
I know it does not meet your "western suburb" qualification, however the only place i have my tranny stuff done is TSI Burnsville.
Duane and I live two doors away from each other plus his Shop is 10 minutes away from CLA.
He has resolved ALL of my personal and CLAs' Transmission needs.
We are talking about almost a 30 year relationship.
Karl
John D said
May 16, 2021
One of my contenders was the TSI shop in Golden Valley (about a mile from the house). Seem to have good reviews.
more ambition than brains said
May 16, 2021
My good buddy Duane says they should be just fine for your problem.
He re-affirmed the converter issue is WAY common.
To quote: If it was working fine before converter failure it will probably work fine after the repair"
Some might think tranny should be gone through "as long as it is out" however that drives the cost heavily.
The vehicle is 18 years old and "any part can choose any time to fail"
Karl
Lost in the 60s said
May 16, 2021
more ambition than brains wrote:
My good buddy Duane says they should be just fine for your problem. He re-affirmed the converter issue is WAY common. To quote: If it was working fine before converter failure it will probably work fine after the repair"
Some might think tranny should be gone through "as long as it is out" however that drives the cost heavily. The vehicle is 18 years old and "any part can choose any time to fail"
Karl
I was thinking the same thing. Drop the pan, drain well, change filter and go.
John D said
May 16, 2021
From what I've read up on, and now your re-affirmation... R&R the converter, change the filter, button it up and run it.
If there is a good thing about this failure, when it happens the main pump stops working - as a result the shavings and "crud" don't get circulated through the gearbox.
Lost in the 60s said
May 16, 2021
John D wrote:
From what I've read up on, and now your re-affirmation... R&R the converter, change the filter, button it up and run it.
If there is a good thing about this failure, when it happens the main pump stops working - as a result the shavings and "crud" don't get circulated through the gearbox.
Good deal on the pump stopping. Should save him a bunch of money.
bowtie said
May 16, 2021
A good shop I would recommend is Affordable Transmission on 63rd and Zane (just N of the Crystal airport). Randy did the last little bit on my chevelle trans, is a drag racer, and has been running that shop for about 20 years now.
John D said
May 21, 2021
My diagnosis was confirmed - the pump drive splines in the converter sheared.
It just bugs me to shell out $$$ for a job that I could probably do... If I had the time, an engine cradle, a lift... oh yeah - that's why you cut your losses and call in a pro when you need to!
Lost in the 60s said
May 21, 2021
John D wrote:
My diagnosis was confirmed - the pump drive splines in the converter sheared.
It just bugs me to shell out $$$ for a job that I could probably do... If I had the time, an engine cradle, a lift... oh yeah - that's why you cut your losses and call in a pro when you need to!
Yep, front wheel drive and metric fasteners don't fit in my work experience. I would need to do the same thing.
John D said
Jun 2, 2021
Well...
As they say "No news is good news".
Haven't heard anything from #1 son about the Taurus, so it appears that the converter replacement and fluid & filter change have kept the beast on the road!
As far as I can diagnose, the torque converter in my son's '03 Taurus just bit it last night.
I guess it's a common problem in these things - the splines in the pump-shaft drive section of the unit shear off, and you are dead in the water.
Looking for suggestions of a place that'll do a good job. I don't have the time or equipment to drop a FWD trans and do a converter swap.
Duane and I live two doors away from each other plus his Shop is 10 minutes away from CLA.
He has resolved ALL of my personal and CLAs' Transmission needs.
We are talking about almost a 30 year relationship.
Karl
He re-affirmed the converter issue is WAY common.
To quote: If it was working fine before converter failure it will probably work fine after the repair"
Some might think tranny should be gone through "as long as it is out" however that drives the cost heavily.
The vehicle is 18 years old and "any part can choose any time to fail"
Karl
I was thinking the same thing. Drop the pan, drain well, change filter and go.
If there is a good thing about this failure, when it happens the main pump stops working - as a result the shavings and "crud" don't get circulated through the gearbox.
Good deal on the pump stopping. Should save him a bunch of money.
It just bugs me to shell out $$$ for a job that I could probably do... If I had the time, an engine cradle, a lift... oh yeah - that's why you cut your losses and call in a pro when you need to!
Yep, front wheel drive and metric fasteners don't fit in my work experience. I would need to do the same thing.
As they say "No news is good news".
Haven't heard anything from #1 son about the Taurus, so it appears that the converter replacement and fluid & filter change have kept the beast on the road!