1997 Plymouth Voyager Transmission or Front Axle problem?

GOTOOFASTTERRY

MEMBER
1997 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
18,100 MILES

Van was running just fine, but after I shut engine off and restarted a few minutes later and put into drive, I could hear a whining sound coming from the front of vehicle, I then put car into park, and then when I put into drive, it would not move until the rpms got up to 17-19. It continued to make whining noise, and would NOT shift into 2nd or 3rd gears, and seemed like it was slipping out of the gear it would go into. It would move the van about 4 feet (in Drive) and then sound as if it were slipping out of gear and into neutral. This went on until I eventually did limp it on home! HELP! Do you think it's one of the front axles? I did have the half shaft on the right side replaced about 50K miles ago. Also, noticed a loud whining sound yesterday when I was backing out of a parking spot-only once and when I was in reverse. When I put it into drive, it was fine until today. Advice? Thanks so much!

1 Reply

OBXAUTOMEDIC

MECHANIC
3,711 POSTS

OK, 1st did you check your tranny fluid? If so what did it look like. Red. Brown. Foamy? If it is brown or even black you need a tranny filter and fluid change.

If that is all Ok. Is your check engine or service engine light on. If so it is possible that the Input and/or Output Speed Sensors are bad. They are pretty inexpensive. Probably less that $50 for both. It could also be the Vehicle Speed Sensor. If you can and have a parts store near by most will pull codes for free. That is if you engine light is on.