1990 CHRYSLER FIFTH AVENUE

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 shift, especially when cold, Slipping in overdrive or complete loss of forward gears, Transmission overheating even with cooler in good condition, Limp mode with check engine light (speed sensor codes common)

Fix: The A-604 4-speed automatic is notorious for solenoid pack and clutch failures. Rebuild requires 8-12 hours labor; many shops recommend replacement with remanufactured unit due to internal wear patterns. External oil cooler lines rust through and contaminate fluid, accelerating failure. Replace cooler and lines during any rebuild. 10-14 hours total.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating under load or in traffic, Oil contamination in coolant reservoir or milky dipstick

Fix: The 3.3L developed head gasket issues between cylinders or into coolant passages. Both heads should be done simultaneously with machine work (typical 0.003-0.005 warpage). Includes timing components, water pump, and all gaskets. 14-18 hours labor, more if heads need significant resurfacing or valve work.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Deep knocking noise from crankcase, worse when cold or under load, Low oil pressure at idle (below 10 psi hot), Metallic debris visible in oil filter during changes, Progressive noise increase over weeks or months

Fix: Rod and main bearings fail on high-mileage engines, often from inadequate oil change intervals or running low on oil. Requires complete teardown; most shops recommend short-block replacement or full rebuild including crank polishing, new pistons if cylinder wear exceeds 0.003. Budget 20-28 hours for proper rebuild with machine work.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps or during direction changes, Wandering or loose steering feel at highway speeds, Uneven tire wear on inner or outer edges, Steering wheel off-center after hitting potholes

Fix: Upper and lower ball joints, tie rod ends, and idler arm bushings all wear progressively. The M-body uses conventional design with greasable joints that often went unserviced. Replacing full front-end kit (both sides, all joints, alignment) takes 5-7 hours. Always follow with alignment.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Symptoms: Hard starting when engine is hot, especially in summer, Stalling after short trips then restarting fine when cool, Hesitation or stumbling under acceleration in hot weather, Fuel smell near tank or engine bay

Fix: In-tank fuel pump failures and fuel filter clogging are typical, but vapor lock from heat-soaked fuel lines is common on the 3.3L. Replace fuel filter every 30k miles (often neglected), check in-tank pump pressure (should be 48-53 psi). Pump replacement is 2-3 hours; rerouting or insulating feed lines adds another hour.

Estimated cost: $350-700

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start with cranking but no spark, Intermittent stalling when engine reaches operating temp, Random misfires not tied to specific cylinder, Crank sensor codes or ignition primary circuit faults

Fix: The ignition module (mounted on distributor) fails from heat cycling. Distributor shaft bushings also wear causing timing instability. Module replacement alone is 1 hour; full distributor swap is 2-3 hours. Use OEM or quality aftermarket—cheap modules fail repeatedly.

Estimated cost: $250-600