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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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 Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:05 pm Post subject: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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Story continues in new thread.......
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=757866
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I'm sorry if I am breaking some forum rule or another with this post...
I'm new to this forum, and new to Vanagons in general.
I have another thread going about "neat things I did on my Vanagon build".
I'm on the maiden voyage, and the only part I did not look at carefully during my recent rebuild of this vehicle was the automatic transmission, and now it's died... leaving me on the side of the road with my wife, 10-year old boy, and 3-month old puppy.
If anyone nearby has an automatic sitting around that they want to sell me, or a recommendation for a shop near me, or any other ideas, I would be most grateful.
Will check back as reception allows,
Thanks in advance,
Christian
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com
Last edited by crobox on Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:30 am; edited 1 time in total |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1944
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:10 pm Post subject: Re: SOS stuck with family and dead transmission near Breckenridge CO |
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What are the symptoms? How are you so sure it's the automatic transmission giving you trouble? A broken CV joint will stop your van in its tracks. We have to rule that out first.
kourt |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: SOS stuck with family and dead transmission near Breckenridge CO |
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Trans started slipping, then shift points started getting late, then reverse failed, then every position on the shifter (P, R, N, D, 2, 1) ALL made the van drive forward, then we lost 3rd gear. Van currently is able to drive forward in 1st and 2nd, up to about 20mph.
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1944
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 2:53 pm Post subject: Re: SOS stuck with family and dead transmission near Breckenridge CO |
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What is your ATF level?
Make sure you are measuring ATF on a level surface with the engine running, and a hot engine (driven at least six miles).
Your described symptoms still have not ruled out a CV joint.
kourt
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space
Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017
Posts: 673
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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Mr Gas is in Canyon City
Might be able to help
T
_________________
82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: SOS stuck with family and dead transmission near Breckenridge CO |
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| kourt wrote: |
Your described symptoms still have not ruled out a CV joint.
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Wouldn't the fact that the van moves forward at all rule out a CV joint?
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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ATF level was obscenely too high when I looked at it after the first symptoms, and quite dark and a bit sparkly. I drained about 2.5 pints (!) to get it to the right level.
It is now correct but the damage has been done.
I can’t see any way that the brand-new CV axles could be causing the van to drive forward when the trans selector is in Reverse. And forward when it’s in Park. And forward when it’s in Neutral.
I appreciate your skepticism, but I really just need to know if anyone in the area has resources that could help.
Cheers
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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| space wrote: |
Mr Gas is in Canyon City
Might be able to help
T |
I found a guy on Craigslist selling plenty of VW transmission and transaxle parts in Cañon city... that must be him.
I tried to reach him through his Craigslist ad, but maybe there’s another way?
Anyone have contact info for him?
Cheers
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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sanchius 
Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1451
Location: IN
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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This idea may help or not, but if you need to move it possibly renting a UHaul and a trailer will get you to Canon City. If you can find one in Breckenridge?
A Triple "A" card premium membership, (200 mile towing), is recommended part of Vanagon ownership.
Aside from all the negativity, how was the trip up to this point?
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.
Last edited by Steve M. on Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:27 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7917
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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(719) 220-0975 ·
www.mrgasrebuilds.com
_________________
~Kamz 
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1944
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: SOS stuck with family and dead transmission near Breckenridge CO |
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| SCM wrote: |
Wouldn't the fact that the van moves forward at all rule out a CV joint? |
You're probably right, but I've seen CV failures behave that way.
| crobox wrote: |
| I can’t see any way that the brand-new CV axles could be causing the van to drive forward when the trans selector is in Reverse. And forward when it’s in Park. And forward when it’s in Neutral. |
This seems more definite to me.
kourt |
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VeeDubn
Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2019
Posts: 120
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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http://www.mrgasrebuilds.com/
[email protected]
(719) 220-0975
Looks like he is about 100 miles south of Breckenridge going 9 to 50
1120 S. 4th Street, Canon City, CO 81212 |
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brickster
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004
Posts: 512
Location: CO, USA
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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This is closer to you and worth a call. He has lots of parts.
https://www.urabus.net/contact.html |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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Thanks guys, Mr Gas got back to me via email. No automatics. But he gave me some other people to call.
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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this one in UTAH, maybe rent a car and go get it?
8 hr. drive one way per google maps. ouch.
300 bucks.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2472381
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:14 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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Thanks guys-
Left a message for the classified ad guy in Utah... even though that is a very long drive... back and forth.
Looks like I have run up against the end of the business work day here in the Mountain Time Zone. I got no answer from URABUS or from Mountain Bus Werks, although I left messages for both.
Two other VW specialists that I did get on the phone did not have such a tranny sitting around.
We figured out how to get back to Breckenridge and rent a car, which I will use to go pick up a tranny tomorrow, if I can find one. Otherwise... tow it home (at some expense), I guess.
And, Steve M.,
The trip so far was great. Short, but great. We slept in the van as a family last night for the first time ever, and it was really sweet. My son is very disappointed that we might not make it to the ocean... but I'm gonna try my damnedest.
Cheers
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4777
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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your van sat for a very long time... were it mine and stuck, i'd try a bottle of SeaFoam TransTune or other brand gummy transmission fixer. can't hurt at this point and it may free up something.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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mtnhome
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 496
Location: Summit County, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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This.
Pretty sure Mr Gas doesn't work on automatics. Rocky Mountain Westy might be able to recommend something. or call some of the front range VW shops.
Rocky Mountain Westy might be able to recommend something.
Not sure where in NM you live but I would be tempted to rent a U-Haul truck and either a trailer or dolly and drive it home where I could take my time. There is a U-Haul in Silverthorne.
Wish I was around to help but I'm out of the country....
Brings back those fond memories of working on various VW campers in campgrounds with my 2 small sons and patient wife..... I was lucky, in those days, both my wife and I taught school and had all summer to travel and when the Westy needed work, we could hang in a campground for days....
My boys remember the "adventures" more than the smooth,, uneventful trips.
_________________
'84 Westy, '93 Subaru ej22 and Subarugears 5speed
Build thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763098&highlight= |
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crobox
Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2011
Posts: 56
Location: Taos, NM
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| Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: SOS: stuck with family and dead auto trans near Breckenridge, CO |
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This is apparently true.
I'm embarrassed to admit, but I believe this is what happened
_________________
1971 Datsun 240Z - 1980 International Scout Cummins 4BT conversion - 1990 Westy EJ25 conversion - 2007 KTM 525 - 2007 KTM 950SE - 1990 International DT466 4900 HIAB Flatbed
www.christianristow.com |
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