Hey guys I have a 97 Avenger ES 2.5 auto. 195K

On the way to work this morning I was merging onto the interstate and went to speed up. This was followed by a clunk in the fron end and then the car acted like it was in neutral. I thought I had broken a CV, but as I slowed down I was able to get it to go back in gear. Basically what I have figured out is that I have nothing above 2nd gear. if I put the car in 2nd on the shifter it will go just fine, but bump it up to drive and it will just do nothing. Reverse works and its not making any noise. What could the clunk have been? Is this something internal you think or a simple fix?

I have been looking at low mileage junkyard transmissions since the car isnt worth a $2000 rebuild. What years will swap? Also what model cars will swap? I see car part lists things like a 95 cirrus transmission etc when I search. There is also a low mileage 98 sebring trans on there. What cars and year models will have the identical trans as my 97 avenger?


Any help would greatly be appreciated. Im at witts end...... PLEASE HELP!!! This is how I get to work!!

 

Tranny is in limp mode ... Likely a mechanical failure inside ... The tranny is an A604 model tranny the 97+ to 00 from the venge/bring are the best swaps Some of the 97 stratus use te same tranny but have heard of wiring issues

 

is there a way to get it out of limp mode? It drives and shifts in 1st and 2nd, but after that I have nothing. No CEL is one either.

 

You can have the tranny scanned for info ... I'm betting mechanical and nothing to do

 

Hello,

This is a common problem. You have 1st and 2nd but no third. What is happening is the splines in the front planetary have stripped out, or one other possibilty is that the ring gear on rear planet has broke off. Hope this helps.

 

Wow that helps alot. So at least I know this one is shot! I have found a 98 sebring trans with 45K on it for $500. Think it might worth getting. Can anybody tell me how hard it is to swap out the trans on this? Is it something that I can do? Thanks

 

Well since we don't know your technical expertise , or lack there of , how can we say ...

 

LOL, ok sorry. I have been a trans tech for 12 yrs. In 12 years I couldn't tell you how 604's or 41TE's that I have rebuilt. I am a tech on atuomatic and manuels, domestic and imports. I can tell you just about anything you want to know about a trans.

 

I can tell you how to swap them, it's a pretty big job. Knocking the ball joints loose and getting the lower control arms out can be a pain. You will have to hang the motor. If you want to tackle it, I can try to help you.

 

Yeah, I kinda have a clunk when putting it in gear, does not matter R or D, you put it in gear step on it a little and you hear a clunk, you drive slow down, step on it, you hear the same clunk! So I guess I should start looking for a new tranny and plan spending some time under the car! Shooot!