1999 Geo Prizm Automatic Transmission Grinding Noise (Need rebuild?)

My 99 Geo Prism has started making a horrible noise when I put it into drive and attempt to drive. It sounds like a coffee grinder. the engine runs fine when idling, but when I try to drive, the noise starts up and the car will barely move.

Yes, unfortunately for you, this is a VERY common problem in those Prisms. The automatic transmissions are rather weak and when they break down, they often start to sound like a big coffee grinder. Basically, the transmission is breaking up inside, and it would cost SO much to repair your transmission with these broken parts that getting another one is the only logical thing to do.

Search around salvage yards or call some salvage importers from Japan (like Unitex) to see if you can get a good used transmission. The last time I saw someone actually rebuild one of those coffee can trannies, the final bill was around three thousand dollars. And the last time I saw a used transmission installed, the bill was less than a thousand dollars drive out.

1999 Geo Prizm Transmission Replacement $2500

My 99 Geo Prism has lost power, and it sounds like a coffee grinder under the hood. This came out of the blue, it was running fine and then all of a sudden it just started hesitating and making a horrid sound. I’ve been told the transmission has gone out and was quoted over 2500 dollars to fix it. HELP

Well, the weakest part of those Prisms are their automatic transmissions. It’s the same one used in the Toyota Corollas of the same age. They just last so long, then they often break down. Now to correctly rebuild the transmission is an expensive endeavor. BUT, there are places that sell quality used units from Japan (like a company called Unitex.) They are low mileage units imported from Japan. I’ve had great luck installing them myself. And they cost over a thousand dollars less than having them rebuilt correctly