'01 B2500 trans code under hood DGB DGT... 165,000 miles

I bought this van used almost three years ago at 130,000 miles. I asked a mechanic friend to drop the transmission pan, change the filter and fluid with new ATF+4 shortly after I bought it, and adjust the bands. After about 10,000 miles I would very randomly get a P1740 error, something about overdrive solenoid. I ignored it. Then a year later I started to get the same error code. After clearing the code it would take a couple of drives to pop back up. That is the only error code I ever got, except for a large leak in EGR system code, that I found was caused by a hose on the canister that popped off.

A few days ago, I bought a new OD solenoid, and asked a backyard shop transmission repair guy (retired after 30 years of servicing transmissions he claims) to drop the pan, and replace the filter, fluid and the solenoid.

Today I picked up the van. He explained that he thought the torque converter was going out. The inside of the transmission looked like it had baked on "crud" that "was just a sign of old age". He advised that I would probably get more miles out of it, but could not tell me how many or how long. He was not very encouraging about how long it might last. He said a "reman" tranny would cost 16-$1800 and that was what it needed. He also advised that the new OD solenoid did not fix the P1740 code, and after two test drives it came back on. After a 5 mile ride home on back roads, I did not get the code... yet. He advised that 150-200,000 miles is all that you can get out of these transmissions and that I will have a failed tranny at some point.

As far as I know, the van I purchased used has never pulled anything, as there was no trailer hitch installed, and the bumper hitch appeared to never have had a ball installed. I do pull pretty lightweight trailers... 1500# max on occasion.

Can someone advise me? The only reason I took it to him was because of the P1740 code, and that I thought the OD shifted fine for me, both manually and automatically. I did think that only after about 35,000 miles after changing filter and fluid, the fluid looked a little dull and dirty... not dark brown and burnt, but brownish red, not clear red. I tend to drive this van long distances on the interstate or US highways and will tend to not be stop and go hot temp driving.

Any insight into what he has told me, about life expectancy and replacement cost would be appreciated. THX in advance...

Roger

 

Usually if you find the crud, or sandlike material inside the tranny, the clutches are totally worn out...

I have had two trannys that have experienced this...also usually it is 4th that goes first...

If it is true, you are looking at a rebuild...My 32RH cost me $900 including a new TC...I believe the shop said the 4 speed would be around 1500...

Good luck!

 

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Not to be the cynic -- but I believe your tranny is giving you ample warning of it's impending demise. Where will you be when it fails, and how much additional will your towing and inconvenience cost you? Will you be in a dangerous part of town, or in an intersection when it blows?

Sounds like your 30 year veteran gave you sound, valuable advice. Remember the old adage - A man with experience is never at the mercy of a man with a theory.

 

thanks to all that have put in their 2 cents worth... I am calling area friends that might know of a reputable shop to do the work of putting in a rebuilt unit with a TC. After checking the link provided by blackvan, the P1740 code could also be caused by a faulty TC. In the past year, although I can't prove it, I feel as if I have lost 1 MPG on 500 mile trips. I supposed that might be caused by a slipping or faulty TC also...

I may give my backyard shop man a chance at this work, but I wonder why he told me when he opened it up and noticed the condition of the unit, why he went ahead and put in a new filter and 12 qts of fluid and replaced the OD sensor, only to tell me that he thought the torque converter was shot when I came to pick it up... I should have asked him why he didn't stop at that point, call and advise me to just button it up, or just have it replaced... instead of pouring in all that new fluid and putting in a new $15 filter... am I being unreasonable???
any thoughts on that?

thx to all

 

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