1993 CHRYSLER FIFTH AVENUE

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh or delayed 2-3 upshift, especially when warm, Slipping in overdrive or complete loss of forward gears, Transmission fault codes or limp mode, Burnt transmission fluid smell or dark red/brown fluid

Fix: The A604 is infamous for solenoid pack failures, overdrive clutch burnout, and valve body issues. Band on, fluid changes help but won't save a badly worn unit. Rebuild runs 12-16 hours labor, reman swap 8-10 hours. Many shops won't touch rebuilds anymore—reman is safer.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under front of vehicle, Low fluid level leading to shift issues or slipping, Coolant in transmission fluid (strawberry milkshake color) if cooler fails internally, Overheating transmission after highway runs

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through at chassis mounts or fitting connections. Internal radiator cooler can rupture, mixing coolant and ATF—catastrophic for the transmission if not caught early. Line replacement 1.5-2.5 hours; external cooler add-on recommended if internal cooler compromised, 2-3 hours total with flush.

Estimated cost: $250-900

Typical onset: 110,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, especially on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Overheating or fluctuating temperature gauge, Milky oil on dipstick or oil cap (coolant contamination), Rough idle or misfire after warm-up

Fix: These engines can blow head gaskets between cylinders or into coolant passages. Both heads usually need surfacing. Job requires 14-18 hours: heads off, decked, new gaskets, timing components while you're in there. If overheated badly, check for warped heads or cracked block—many become uneconomical to fix.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 150,000-220,000 mi

Symptoms: Deep knocking noise from bottom end, worse under load, Low oil pressure at idle when hot, Metallic debris in oil or on magnetic drain plug, Check engine light with low oil pressure code

Fix: Owners who neglect oil changes or run low on oil see main and rod bearing failures. Requires full teardown: crankshaft removal, measure journals, often needs machine work or replacement. 20-28 hours labor for short block swap or in-frame rebuild. At this point, most go junkyard engine (6-10 hours swap) or scrap the car.

Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: No start or long crank before starting, Stalling or hesitation during acceleration, Whining noise from fuel tank, Inaccurate or stuck fuel gauge

Fix: In-tank pump wears out, sometimes takes the sender unit with it. Tank must be dropped—easier on a lift, 2.5-3.5 hours with rusted straps. Always replace straps and check filler neck for rust. Pump and sender assembly together is the smart move.

Estimated cost: $400-750

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting into drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Engine rocks noticeably during acceleration, Visible sagging or torn rubber on mount inspection

Fix: Hydraulic and rubber mounts deteriorate with age. Front engine mount 1.5 hours, rear trans mount 1 hour. Do all three (left, right engine, trans) at once if one is bad—they age together. Huge improvement in NVH when fresh.

Estimated cost: $350-650