Limped home last night

There are any number of reasons your Uplander might go into limp-home mode, but if I were a betting person, I’d put my money on the clutches/bands or a problem with the output shaft. Your mechanic has directed you correctly in trying to pull a code from the engine control computer (ECC) because that will at least give you some general areas where to look. However, I think there’s a bigger tell on this than just the code that might pop out, the impact to the right front wheel.

The Uplander, being front drive, uses a combined transmission-front axle or transaxle. This means the same device is doing double duty, acting as the transmission and the driveshaft at the same time. In a rear-drive vehicle, the engine/crankshaft and flywheel put their power into the transmission which is a separate unit. The front-drive tranny takes the power from the tranny, through a differential joint and then on to the half-shafts. There’s very little separation between the half-shaft and the transmission that is driving it.

When your Uplander had the impact more than likely the half-shaft was bent or, at least, knocked a bit out of true. Over time, the problem was compounded by constant turning to the point where either a vibration or a shaft problem damaged the output shaft or the clutches/bands that drive the output shaft. Indeed, it is even possible that the vibration that may have been set up by the damaged shaft may have cause one or more of the shift solenoids to stop functioning normally.

My suggestion to you is find an independent transmission shop with a good reputation in your area and have them give the transmission a look. I think that you will find your problem is pretty much in the areas I described.

Unfortunately, this isn’t an inexpensive fix. If the major transmission mechanicals — torque converter, valve body, input shaft and gearing are in good shape — you are still looking at a major teardown to get to the clutches and output shaft. That alone will cost you about $1,800 and the work will likely add about $1,000 to that price. That puts the price at about $2,800. Given that a rebuilt transmission costs about $3,200 with installation, it might make sense just to skip all of the tinkering with small fixes, make the commitment and drop in a rebuilt. You will have many fewer headaches.

As to the parts outside the transmission — half-shaft, differentials and so forth — you will have to have them checked closely to make sure the impact your Uplander experienced didn’t leave them as a timebomb just waiting to put you into trouble again.

Please let me know what happens.

One last note, your transmission fluid has likely worn out but there is no major internal damage, yet. If the fluid were black or smelled burned then you have a problem. Likewise, if the fluid has metal shavings and feels gritty then you are likely facing other transmission damage. The rebuilt will fix that.