Marteen J

What is the differences in the 4T65e transmissions in minivans? Some web sites are saying i can swap transmissions, and other sites like jasperengines and rockauto are showing they are different part numbers for their stock and they will not be able to swap. The transmission in my '04 chev venture is dead with zero pump pressure and had been slipping in first gear for a while. Supposedly, according to different suppliers, only another 2004 transmission will work in it's place.

I can get a used transmission out of a wrecked '06 chev uplander locally for $200 and it has 120k miles . Both my transmission and the wrecked '06 are both 4T65e trans and 2 wheel drive versions with the 3.29 gear ratio. When i run both vans VIN numbers at the chev dealer parts dept, they both show the "M15" transmission RPO code on both vans, but the parts guy says they are "different" part numbers and will not work --- only no one seems to be able to tell me what is the difference is (internally or externally).

When i look at purchasing overhaul or rebuild kits for the 4t65e, they only sell 2 versions -- those up to 2002 and a different kit for those 2003 and up.

Any thoughts or differences in the 2004 versus the 2006 versions of the 4T65e? (other than the different torque converter for the 3.5L engine in the 2006 uplander)

My '04 chevy venture van needed the speedometer cluster replaced due to about half the background lights are burned out (they are soldered bulbs and cannot be replaced). I got another speedometer cluster from another 2004 venture at the salvage yard and when i installed it, all the lights and gauges work fine. ---- the problem is the radio quit working and says "CODE" (security code) and the radio is locked. The radio is not unplugged when the speedo is changed. ------ So, when i put the original speedometer cluster back in the van, the radio comes on and works fine. When i install the salvage yard cluster, the radio will not come on and is locked. I have tried this a couple of times, so i know the radio problem is related to the "strange" speedometer.

Any idea how to get around this problem or do i now need the "radio code" from the salvage yard van?

What is the relationship between the radio security and the speedometer cluster?

thanks