I have a 1998 GC 3.8 awd. I was making a left hand turn at slow speed and the whole van sort or clunked and stopped. Like the drivetrain was bound up. It would shift into reverse but not go, again like it was bound up. I put it in drive and with quite a lot of clanking and clunking go it into a nearby parking lot. There I could move it a few feet forward until it would lock up again, reverse still would not go. Lots of noise and lurching in drive. I removed the rear drive shaft and rear halfshafts in the parking lot to confirm it was not any part of the rear drive train. Same problem, getting worse only a couple feet forward at a time down to only moving a few inches by putting it in reverse, letting it bind than shifting into drive which would release the tension and let it roll a couple inches forward. The only warning signs were in the past week it had made a few clunks while backing up and turning in reverse. The whole thing is kind of like driving a four wheel drive on hard pavement. Would not roll in neutral either until I removed the PTU. I have removed the PTU (power transfer unit/transfer case) it seems to spin freely by hand (no load) That was my guess as it seems to be related to reverse/differences in wheels spin (cornering). I have found a replacement locally for $350 but need to be sure it is not the transmission. My problem does not sound like any of the 4 speed transmission problems people have. No slipping or limp home mode or delayed engagement. Anyone have any input or similar experiences? Please help
tactransman
08-22-2007, 10:42 PM
It sounds like the common differential pin failure.
scotawd
08-24-2007, 11:33 PM
Thanks. By differential pin failure, you are talking about the AWD PTU (power transfer unit) right? I searched online for days and never found any info on that. This is a common thing for AWD minivans? I am willing to put on a new PTU but was waiting for some reasonable confirmation that was it not the failure prone tranny (my symptoms don't seem tranny-ish) Any more info would be great. Are those pics of my PTU? Thanks again
tactransman
08-25-2007, 07:42 AM
The differential is on all mini vans AWD and FWD.
http://www.ptdoityourself.net/tl/images/library/41te.jpg
donald7150
08-26-2007, 04:47 PM
He's talking about the front differential
The pic tactransman has posted above is the transmission used in both front wheel and all wheel drive caravans
Where number 13 points to i think is where your trouble is
it is a very common problem to both front wheel and all wheel drive caravans
JCO
09-20-2007, 01:30 PM
i just had the same problem this morning, i went to the corner to get gas, came home, loaded the wife and the baby in the van, went to leave and it won't move! same symptoms, it acts like its bound up and with a little more gas it clunks and jumps forward. its at the tranny shop now, i'm waiting for a call to tell me exactly whats wrong, i'm keeping my fingers crossed it's not going to be expensive.
no, photo shop, but soon. i just got a call from the tranny shop, tranny is shot! they pulled the pan and it's full of metal :VHOT: they figure the bearings went and took stuff with them, without tearing it apart yet, they gave me a quote of $1400 - $1700 to rebuild it! atleast i'll have a "new" transmission.
greg_glider
10-05-2007, 01:24 AM
Hello,
my folks have a 96 plymouth grand Voyager they had since brand new, 3.3l engine, and the usual 4 speed auto transmission, I have just heard of this differential pin failure, and was wondering if there is a preventative fix before hand to fix this problem? About what mileage does this occur. My folks minivan has about 213,000km (132,000mi) on it.
thanks
tactransman
10-05-2007, 08:27 AM
Hello,
I have just heard of this differential pin failure, and was wondering if there is a preventative fix before hand to fix this problem? About what mileage does this occur.
thanks
Mileage varies greatly. This is an after market piece that helps greatly. The later model ones have them from the factory. :D
