Van will not go in any gear after replacing shaft and torque converter

Tiny
NEIBARGERC
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I was driving down road when lost all gears. Tow van home pulled torque converter out and the input shaft was stripped. Replaced shaft and torque converter. Started van still no gears. Then started making loud noise like metal hitting. Pulled transmission out again this time torque converter was stuck to engine flywheel had to pry it off. Was this do to the torque converter not being seated right the first time? Do not want to put it back together and find I have to pull it again for the third time. I had filled the torque converter with two quarts of fluid before installing it and had twelve quarts fluid in it. I know it takes fourteen.
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 3:57 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening.

The torque converter has to seat three times. When you reinstalled the trans, chances are you only had two seated. That would still give you a thread or two for the nuts to tighten. If that was the case, then when you tightened up the bell housing bolts you jammed the torque converter into the nose of the transmission.

Most likely you damaged the two ears the converter needs to engage to turn the front pump. You will need to replace the front pump from the damage. That would also account for all the noise.

Roy
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
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I do not know. My bro had it put in when I came out he said it clicked three times I know that does not mean it is always in. I should of known better than trusting him and did it myself so is the torque converter still good? I know shaft still goes in and is not stripped?
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
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As long as the cut outs for the ears for the pump are not damaged, yes, it should be okay.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
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What kind of damages should I be looking for on pump if they are visual? Or should I just replace pump body ring and rotor/vanes w/support rings, bore ring side seal and support? I know to replace o-ring bore ring side seal.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
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The ears may be bent back.

Yes, I would replace the pump body. Do not take a chance at this point. Make it right before installing it back in.

Roy
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
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Hello, I just got the pump body it does not have the transmission temperature sensor. Do I remove mine and put it on the new one?
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 8:54 AM
Tiny
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Yes, you can change that from the old unit. As long as there no code for it and it is intact, you can reuse it.

Roy
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 12:25 PM

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