HELP! I took our 2000 Windstar, 103,000 miles on it to the tranny shop today to get the codes read. The O/D light has been coming on and flashing for awhile now so I knew I needed to get it checked out. So, we got the PO 741 code as well as the PO 305 code.

I have been reading about the torque converter info. on here but my mind is literally spinning. I don't know where to start! We are supposed to be going on our first family vacation to Florida in late May and I am scared to go with this problem. It will be around 1400 miles roundtrip.

The guy at the shop said to try Lucas Transmission additive. He said it is good, or Lubegaurd is too.

Hubby checked the trans. fluid the other day and it is lowww. I am going to have to take it in for a change i guess, as we have had it for 3 years and have never changed it or had it serviced.

I would really appreciate any suggestions. Maybe changing the fluid first and go from there? Anyone have any other experiences with this?

Thanks,
pb1998

Make sure your transmission is in iron clad condition before going on the trip.
Fresh filter and fluid, it's cheap insurance.
Use only the approved transmission fluid for your year.
If necessary have the torque converter replaced before leaving.

Our '98 blew up in the middle of a 3500 mile trip to the Northwest and the bottom line was that the torque converter self-destructed, and the van had been "serviced" prior to leaving with an incorrect fluid. Popular opinion (non-scientific) holds that if your mini-van gets past 100,000 on a transmission you are a.) lucky, and b.) driving on borrowed time.