Hi there, I'm new here.
My sister-in-law, who lives nearby, has a PT Cruiser that is having some sort of transmission trouble. I don't know the miles on the odometer yet. Based on her and her boyfriend's description, it'll start driving without hesitation but then won't shift out of first, or something like that. Haven't tried driving it myself. I have looked around a little bit online and seen prices of as low as $250-$450 for a used one already pulled out of a crashed car, ranging to $1450 plus core charge for a reman one from AutoZone, etc. The higher end of that range is well out of the owner's budget, and even at the lower end, I think i'd end up buying it out of pocket and get repaid over a couple of months, which would be fine with me if the replacement trans had a fair chance of lasting another year or two. I've never done anything more to an an auto trans than check fluid, but I have dropped the (RWD, manual FWIW) trans out of my Ranger before, have basic tools, etc. I gather this trans replacement might ne a bit more involved, but I think I could get the car to my house and do it on ramps or jackstands in my driveway. Fortunately, S-I-L doesn't need the car to get to work, as she usually takes the bus, but wants to be able to use it to get other places. Which is to say, so long as I could fix it, it'd be OK if it took me a week or two. I do understand that a used transmission is an unknown, but I don't know how much of a gamble it is. Which is most of the reason I'm here.
Or, is there a possibility that there is some repair I could do to the transmission? I'm less confident that that might be the case, but I'm hoping that someone here might be able to answer that, too.
Thanks!!
Ben,
I'm not an auto trans expert, but my opinion on your whole situation: If they can't afford three bills for a transmission, you either give it to them as a gift or walk away, if you're going down that road.
Chryslers have always been known for weak slushboxes, but perhaps it is just something simple, dunno there. Check the various forums for things like solenoids or valves and "stuck in first."
I’ll add that I’m almost certain you’ll have to drop the entire front subframe/engine cradle to get the trans out. Can you get that car that high in the air(safely) on jackstands in your driveway?
In reply to Pete Gossett :
Nope. It can be wiggled out without dropping anything but the angle of the engine. Btdt.
In reply to Ranger50 :
Wow, given the shape of the PT nose & hood I’m impressed that Daimler-Chrysler was able to leave that much clearance!
Remember, these are more or less Neons in drag. I'd do some looking at similar-year Neons for both diagnosis help and finding a good transmission to throw in, if it comes to that. If you are okay donating your time to swap the trans, it'd be a cheap way to keep the car on the road, provided it's otherwise in decent shape.
Some quick Googling reveals it could be a solenoid or the input/output speed sensors. I may read up on those items before buying a transmission.
slefain
PowerDork
2/18/19 9:37 a.m.
marylandben said:
...Based on her and her boyfriend's description...
She has a boyfriend, this is not your problem to solve. 
The bigger question is if this is a "make or break" repair? Is the car in good shape? How much can you buy a running replacement car for in your area? If you can pick up another PT Cruiser for the same price as fixing the trans in that one, then you buy the replacement car and scrap the bad one.
Vigo
UltimaDork
2/19/19 1:29 p.m.
The trans is a 604/41te. If it detects any nasty conditions it disables all the electronics and goes into limp mode which is 2nd gear and reverse only. So it's in limp mode. As for why, you'd have to check the codes and diagnose them. It could be an input or output speed sensor which you can literally find for $7 online, or it could be one of the solenoids in the solenoid pack, which is one big brick of solenoids and costs around $100. Or it could be detecting a transmission slip which usually means internal problems and needs a rebuild. So the problem ranges from $7 to throw it away and you wont know until you check the codes.
you guys on here and your collective knowledge kick so much butt
First, that car is a POS
Second, pulling the trans out of that car will be 10x more miserable than you removing and replacing the trans out of your Ranger.
I can assure you with 99.9% confidence that you will regret taking this on. Best to politely wish them luck and mind your own business.
