Cost of torque converter?

[emmavix]

We've been having some transmission roblems & our poor old Bongo now doesn't change gear, going at uo to 5,000 revs and max of 30mph. Our local garage think we need a new torque converter - they're not a BOngo specialist but I'm not sure we can make it to one in the state of the Bongo now (we're just outside Cambridge). Does anyone have any idea how much a new torque converter could be? Any idea of poss. labour costs just so we can decide whether we take the Bongo off the road until we win the lottery?

Vix

[dandywarhol]

IMO a faulty TQ would still allow the 'box to change. The only moving part to go wrong is the stator which can either seize or freewheel at the wrong time and a faulty lock up facility - you're isn't even getting to that stage so its unlikely to be that. Symptoms of a seized stator is loss of top speed/revs and a faulty freewheel would cause sluggish acceleration.

First thing I'd do is have the gearbox sump removed, filter cleaned and the fluid replaced

[scanner]

If you can get to St. Neots you could try A1 Gearboxes

http://www.a1gearboxes.co.uk/

They are autobox specialists.

Down the High Street, over the river and it's 2nd (I think) on the left.

i.e. don't turn into the Riverside park/car park.

[nfn]

Scanner's right -- you need an automatic transmission specialist. Your local friendly mechanic won't have the specialist experience and knowledge. If you're lucky the problem will simply be a solenoid or other easily replaced component. If not, it may be cheaper to get a used transmission off a breaking bongo than repair or rebuild the existing one.