93 lesabre won't move

Symptoms were:
driving and then all of a sudden I hear noises like something is flapping under the engine/or near the wheels. I am able to continue but it is difficult, and when I finally slow down enough to pull in a lot, the car then stops due to the "flapping" being pretty substantial. Car refuses to move.
I was thinking it could be the CV halfshaft, or maybe the ABS is acting up? Is there an easy way to tell which is the case? I unplugged the ABS on both sides but still hear the flapping (car is now jacked up in the front off the ground).

Wow, your description of the problem leaves a lot to our imagination! :frown: Will the engine start, if it does; is the “flapping” noise present @ idle in park, or neutral; or does it only make the flapping sound when in gear? Have you looked at the serpentine belt? What side of the car was the flapping noise coming from, left or right? Was the ABS warning light on?

Engine starts fine.
Noise only occurs when I put it in gear. It's definitely a CV/ABS or tranny issue, just wondering if there's an easy way to narrow it down without taking everything apart yet.

Forgot your other question - I cant seem to figure out which side is the problem. I even put the thing in reverse to get the noise going, then went out front to feel each of the halfshafts but the vibration seems to be about equal on both sides. (but it could be that since everything's linked together in the tranny, it will be harder to tell which side is the problem)

Noise only occurs when I put it in gearAny noise while in gear and foot on brake, or is it only when the wheels are turning?

I just went out and tried, and the noise will occur if I have my foot on the brakes or not.
I just tried another thing, since the front is totally jacked up and wheels are off, I put it in R and went to look, and despite the noise, the hubs are not moving. Same with D.

souds like you need to take it to a tranny shop and get a estament. could just be tranny module.

just wondering if there's an easy way to narrow it down without taking everything apart yet. I just went out and tried, and the noise will occur if I have my foot on the brakes or not.
I just tried another thing, since the front is totally jacked up and wheels are off, I put it in R and went to look, and despite the noise, the hubs are not moving. Same with D. I think you just “narrowed it down” to the transaxle! Get an onsite professional opinion from a transmission shop. The car is not worth what a rebuild would cost, unless it has sentimental value to you. It may be time for the crusher!

I just had a rebuild 30,000 miles ago, at 130,000 miles when the original finally died. (i know, that doesn't mean much). You really think it's the tranny and not something broken inside a CV?

It’s highly unlikely that both CV axles are broken. Have you looked to see if the axles are turning coming out of the transaxle? The CV axles turn the wheel hubs and if the wheels are not turning in drive or reverse, or if the tranny does not engage in any gear, you have a tranny or TC problem.

OK, I suppose I wont waste my time taking the CV's off and replacing them then.
Does this tranny give off any OBD codes that I would pick up on a scan before I take it in, just to see?

souds like you need to take it to a tranny shop and get a estament. could just be tranny module.

This car does not use a Tranny module... The PCM controls both the engine and Trans

It’s highly unlikely that both CV axles are broken. Have you looked to see if the axles are turning coming out of the transaxle? The CV axles turn the wheel hubs and if the wheels are not turning in drive or reverse, or if the tranny does not engage in any gear, you have a tranny or TC problem.

I agree... And I think there is a serious tranny problem

Well you guys were right, there was a serious tranny problem. The differential is totally chewed up. The rest of the transmission is fine, they said I do not need a rebuild, just the differential. however they are stating it will still cost around the $2200 ballpark range, ugh. Im getting it done, it does have sentimenal value plus I really take care of it and would never get back what it's "worth" in my view right now.
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$2200 Just to replace the Diff and Diff Cover? Thats nuts..

for $2200 they better do a complete rebuild with a 3 year warranty..

If the trans is still good I would replace the Diff and diff cover.. Looks like the Diff sheared the Diff Pin for the spider gears and took out the rest..

Do you know if this car is a 2.84, 2.97 or 3.06?

I'm sure the $2200 is nuts but you know when they have the thing opened up you don't have much choice other than let them continue, or you lose the $400 or so that they took to open it up. I will fight for a longer warranty though, that's something they can at least give me which won't cost them anything (right now at least). Then again I'm sure they will screw me on that because they arent doing the tranny, just the differential, and those things usually last forever anyway from what they told me.
Two weeks before this I had my Ford Probe towed there, $2600 rebuild. Had no choice because this Lesabre was out of commission and i was playing around with it as you saw above, trying new halfshafts, to no avail. I think they figure if this guy can afford two tranny jobs in a month, we'll gouge him if we can.

I understand what you are saying.. But I do want to point out to you that you have a 4T60-E... Being that this is the trans you have the Diff housing is only held on by 4 bolts, and the Diff is simply in place with a C clip.. Once the diff housing and C clip are pulled the diff will come right out and can be replaced with another.. The only other possibility or issue I can think of is if the sun gear has been damaged or destroyed as well..

Yes fight for a better warranty... Get the $2200 in writing so that they have to go by their quote...

It is rare to see a Diff pin snap unless you were possibly in some snow and one tire spun too much, In this case the diff pin will suffer a lack of lubrication and get cooked, it will either sheer or lock up and snap..

I wish you the best on the rebuild, and let us know how it turns out:wink: