02 PT Tranny Problems

[chris1916]

On the freeway yesterday doing 70 mph and I hear and feel this thunk noise and watch my odometer go crazy since my foot is on the gas. I realize that I am coasting while in drive and pull over to the right shoulder and luckily coast to the off ramp. I put it in park and realize I am still rolling, so hand brake is set. Any gear the car rolls. Has this happened to anyone before? I have almost 80,000 and it this car has run great, but looks like my luck has run out. I have heard bad things about the PT torque converter going out. Could this be the problem? Would you recommend a rebuilt tranny or an exchange? Thank goodness I was not in the 120 degrees of the Mojave Desert with this happening. Any help would be great and I thank you all.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by chris1916

On the freeway yesterday doing 70 mph and I hear and feel this thunk noise and watch my odometer go crazy since my foot is on the gas. I realize that I am coasting while in drive and pull over to the right shoulder and luckily coast to the off ramp. I put it in park and realize I am still rolling, so hand brake is set. Any gear the car rolls. Has this happened to anyone before? I have almost 80,000 and it this car has run great, but looks like my luck has run out. I have heard bad things about the PT torque converter going out. Could this be the problem? Would you recommend a rebuilt tranny or an exchange? Thank goodness I was not in the 120 degrees of the Mojave Desert with this happening. Any help would be great and I thank you all.

I had the same thing happen on my 2002 with only 40+K miles on it. I had it completely rebuilt using all new parts at the dealership under warranty. If it is rebuilt make sure they use all new parts. A exchange will get you a rebuilt housing, not much can go bad in just the housing.

[cleverklutz]

I believe that you can get high stalls for the 41TE trannys. If you have to replace the torque converter it might be worth checking out. I can't remember where I came across those tho, I think maybe on PTcrew.com. My brother has a high stall in his 1983 Ramcharger, it makes a huge difference for launching, playing in the mud, and towing. The one he's got is still full lockup so it doesn't kill fuel mileage.

Ben

[chris1916]

Torque converter was the problem. Total rebuild $2700. Ouch!
That's alot of fillups at the pump...