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Grrr... finally got a call from my nechanic today; thought it would be good news, but alas:

To properly clear the onboard computer so it could pass the absolutely Draconian computerized emissions checks in force here in the lovely Garden State, they had to run it through some drive cycles... well, before the sequence was complete, the damn "Check Engine" light came on again, and this time, apparently, it's the torque converter clutch solenoid.
My heart stopped when I heard the words "torque converter" (not a transmission teardown!! Nooooo!!!), so I guess I should be thankful it's only the solenoid. I'm pretty sure it's mounted externally, but I'm almost afraid to look at my service manual.... oh, my achin' wallet!!!

:-/

Never ends, does it!!!!!!!!!

Grrr... finally got a call from my nechanic today; thought it would be good news, but alas:

To properly clear the onboard computer so it could pass the absolutely Draconian computerized emissions checks in force here in the lovely Garden State

Just thank your lucky stars you don't live in California :-/

the damn "Check Engine" light came on again, and this time, apparently, it's the torque converter clutch solenoid.

Is the next car going to be a stick shift?

Tough luck. . .hope the problems are less costly than they appear

I'm sorry to hear your troubles with the car.  At least it wasn't the torque converter itself, I would imagine the labor costs required to change it would be ugly.  I just pulled my transmission and changed the torque converter and it was a ton of work.   :-/

Just thank your lucky stars you don't live in California :-/

Thats what I love about Oregon...the land of no emmission tests!!!  

Too bad rotty.  I hope that's not you main mode of transportation.


[quote]
Thats what I love about Oregon...the land of no emmission tests!!!

Is the next car going to be a stick shift?

Probably; I really wanted a stick, but at the time I was desperate to replace my last car quickly...
If this thing doesn't just rust away in the next few years, I may very likely drop a new engine and (manual) trans in it later, if I can find a good deal- and a place where I can do the work myself.

As for cost: already up to $2000 before this latest setback (see earlier post for list of repairs)... as long as they can get at the solenoid without pulling the transmission (or the transfer case, or the front pumpkin, or...) it shouldn't be too bad.

[quote]Too bad rotty.

Perhaps the problem is you called a Nechanic instead of a Mechanic.

Sorry to be an ass. I'm in that sort of mood.

Perhaps the problem is you called a Nechanic instead of a Mechanic.

Sorry to be an ass. I'm in that sort of mood.

Ooooh, did I mispell it?  Oohh nooo, forty lashes with a wet noodle...!
Hey- look at your keyboard. See how close the "n" is to the "m"?
Cut me an inch, brother...
"One of those moods", indeed!

BTW, the grand total was $2000 even (they must like me, or maybe they were intimidated by my formidable Tracker knowledge! ) and  She runs like she did 140,000 miles ago . Drove it into Manhattan and back today; no problems. They do nice work.
I definitely need new shocks, though- I'll take care of that myself later this summer, methinks.

Could be worse though.  Gota love vehicals in which you just shell out money the entire time you own it.

I remember my old 89 Bronco....that thing was decent body and frame wise but mechanicaly it left a lot to be desired.  Over 1 year I put over $1000 worth of work into it...one night I picked up my exhaust from the road after a rough bump  Finally got it running nicely just to find the next problem...my brakes went out...Had to choose a tree or my friends house to stop....Tree won...totaled  

Now I dont care what the body looks like...if its not mechanicaly sound...forget it