Apache

Any issues with your refurb?

Hello all, my first post on the forum and hoping to get some sound advice and help. I have a 2010 Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD with 59,000 miles on the clock. I bought the vehicle a few weeks ago aware that there was an issue with the gearbox, in that it wouldn’t select higher gears and was essentially in limp home mode. I took it to a garage in Belfast that is supposed to be an Automatic Gearbox specialist. They had the vehicle for four days and succeeded in getting the vehicle to select all gears. I was informed that there had been a problem with the solenoid and they had replaced it. I was charged £1,470. I also changed the battery to the correct Optima version as the one fitted was the wrong one and dead. A few days later I noticed that the vehicle started to judder when accelerating through the gears. At first it was between 40-42 mph and then between 50-60mph. I went back to the garage in Belfast and was advised it was likely an issue with the torque converter and that an additive to the gear box oil may resolve the problem. The garage added the additive at no charge and whilst there was a slight improvement the vehicle still juddered. It now judders between a wider spectrum of speeds. I returned to the garage this morning and was informed a new/refurbished torque converter would cost in the region of around £750 and that there would be a similar cost to fit it. I sought a second opinion from another garage who specialise in Chrysler’s and they informed me that the best course of action with Grand Voyager gearboxes was to: 1) buy a second hand gearbox from a scrap dealer (2) have my existing gearbox refurbished or (3) purchase a refurbished gearbox. Having made enquires a second hand gear box with 66k on it will cost me £1,500 (incl. of VAT), but this would be my least preferred option as there’s no guarantee this gearbox is problem free. Having my existing gearbox refurbished will cost in the region of £1,800. I’m of the opinion that this would be the best option and worth the extra £300. Both these prices are not including removal/fitting, so all in all pretty expensive. Would any of you have any thoughts on the possible problem and best course of action ? Thank you in advance for any help or assistance you can offer.