Worried about auto transmission

[DIYPTGUY]

Had a bad experience today with my 2002 PT (auto tranny, 92,000 miles). As I came to a stop light, maybe going .5-1 mph, the car sort of sputtered and stopped immediately. I took my foot off the brake pedal and to my suprise, went nowhere. I shifted though the gears, still nothing happened. So I revved the engine, while in the drive gear, still going nowhere. Revved it again, harder this time and it slammed into gear and took off.

This really had me worried, my transmission I always though was in great condition, always shifts smooth, and has never given me any troubles until now. It really caught me off guard and I really hope nothing is majorly wrong with it. Any advice/insight is very much appreciated.

Im not sure if this is related or not, but It does have that "quirk" where it kind of lurches/jerks forward when coming to a stop.

Thanks a bunch!

George

[lmmegt]

More info dude.

Did you check the transmission fluid level?

When was the transmission last serviced?

[DIYPTGUY]

I havent checked the level yet. I'll do that and report back. I had the fluid flushed at 81,000 miles so it should be good.

[Mean Green]

Don't know if it's the tranny or not, but ours did the lurch thing, then sounded like aluminum being crinkled up and then finally the car wouldn't go anywhere. All this at 81k and it had been dealer serviced.

[DIYPTGUY]

Originally Posted by Mean Green

Don't know if it's the tranny or not, but ours did the lurch thing, then sounded like aluminum being crinkled up and then finally the car wouldn't go anywhere. All this at 81k and it had been dealer serviced.

So what ended up happening?

[ptgtrialto]

My guess is Torque Converter ...

[slartyblarfast]

Most likely either the fluid is low or you have internal problems. It may have only done it once so far but it will do it more. Probably looking at rebuild time. Another option is a Mopar Remanufactured unit. They come with a 3yr/100k mile warranty!

[Mean Green]

Originally Posted by DIYPTGUY

So what ended up happening?

Don't know as we traded the '01 in for a '04 PT. I do know that overdrive is a weak link in these auto trannies, especially the turbo where you don't want to boost in overdrive. I downshift to third when I need to punch it plus every 30k I alternate between a drain and fill and a full service flush. The '04 has almost 130k now.

[Hooligan]

We had a 2002 that we were driving home from shopping when the car just slowed down on I-95, pulled it off the road, called AAA and took it to the dealer, it had to be completely rebuilt, traded it in on a new 2006.

Never asked what they found when it was rebuilt.

[DIYPTGUY]

Originally Posted by slartyblarfast

Most likely either the fluid is low or you have internal problems. It may have only done it once so far but it will do it more. Probably looking at rebuild time. Another option is a Mopar Remanufactured unit. They come with a 3yr/100k mile warranty!

I tried searching for the remanufactured transmissions but couldnt come up with a price. Any idea how much they cost?