shifting problem

[tempfixit]

I am posting here instead of Windstar section because of engine size, (3.0)

1998 WIndstar with 3.0 engine and AXAS tranny. 225K.

Periodically at low speeds the tranny will not down shift and engine will bing because of it. I have not done any testing because of temperatures here but am thinking it is either a worn TPS or Turbine Shaft sensor. Only code is a periodic P0446. It does seems to accelerate slowly at times. To my knowledge these parts are original along with the tranny being original.
Fluid level is correct and does not smell burnt and color is fine.

I am also considering doing a spark plug change.

ANy thoughts, thanks

[shorod]

I agree with you, the P0446 is not likely to be related to the shifting concern. To be clear, you're saying if you try to accelerate when traveling at low speeds the transmission doesn't downshift like it should, and therefore loads the engine to the point where it pings? At higher vehicle speeds does the transmission downshift fine? What speed seems to be the threshold? Have you tried manually shifting to a lower gear? Does the issue seem to get any better or worse as the transmission warms up?

The pinging would concern me a bit since if everything else with the engine were working fine, and you had good fuel, you shouldn't really experience pinging, even under high load. Certainly checking the TPS sensor would be a simple thing to check first though, and it's really easy to do if you have a scan tool with datastream feature. If no scan tool the TPS is still easy to check with a multimeter.

Also if you are unsure how old the transmission fluid is it really wouldn't be a bad idea to change the transmission fluid and filter to see if that has any improvement.

-Rod

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by shorod

I agree with you, the P0446 is not likely to be related to the shifting concern. To be clear, you're saying if you try to accelerate when traveling at low speeds the transmission doesn't downshift like it should, and therefore loads the engine to the point where it pings? At higher vehicle speeds does the transmission downshift fine? What speed seems to be the threshold? Have you tried manually shifting to a lower gear? Does the issue seem to get any better or worse as the transmission warms up?

The pinging would concern me a bit since if everything else with the engine were working fine, and you had good fuel, you shouldn't really experience pinging, even under high load. Certainly checking the TPS sensor would be a simple thing to check first though, and it's really easy to do if you have a scan tool with datastream feature. If no scan tool the TPS is still easy to check with a multimeter.

Also if you are unsure how old the transmission fluid is it really wouldn't be a bad idea to change the transmission fluid and filter to see if that has any improvement.

-Rod

Thanks shorod;

Changing the filter and fluid is on my list as it is due. Transmission is warm when occurs. Only noticable in town 50 mph & above seems to be fine.

Yesterday I was driving in town, Drove about 3 blocks from stop sign, stopped, began again went about 1 block and began climbing a hill and it began binging, I manually downshifted to second and it sifted immediately and binging stopped. (35 down to 25 speed limit) It does not do this all the time, just occassionally. The binging is what bothers me.

I will check the TPS, I feel it is my problem since they are a wear item. I am also going to get some MAF cleaner and clean the MAF sensor.

I'll hook my laptop up again today and see what if find.

[shorod]

I want to make sure we are sync'd on terminology. When you say "binging" are you referring to a "marbles in a can" type of noise from the engine, a chime sounding inside the car, or something else?

Based on your most recent post, I'm wondering if what you have is really a misfire and the misfire is why the car is not downshifting, rather than the lack of a downshift causing the misfire. Is the engine running really rough when this happens? A typical "pinging" would just be something you'd hear, but you wouldn't really feel it in the engine or car.

When is the last time the engine had a tune up consisting of at least spark plugs and spark plug wires? If you had it done fairly recently, but it was done by a shop, don't necessarily trust that they replaced all three spark plugs near the firewall (unfortunately). I've heard of lazy shops not changing the couple that are difficult to get to. You will also want to check carefully for vacuum leaks.

-Rod

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by shorod

I want to make sure we are sync'd on terminology. When you say "binging" are you referring to a "marbles in a can" type of noise from the engine, a chime sounding inside the car, or something else?

Based on your most recent post, I'm wondering if what you have is really a misfire and the misfire is why the car is not downshifting, rather than the lack of a downshift causing the misfire. Is the engine running really rough when this happens? A typical "pinging" would just be something you'd hear, but you wouldn't really feel it in the engine or car.

When is the last time the engine had a tune up consisting of at least spark plugs and spark plug wires? If you had it done fairly recently, but it was done by a shop, don't necessarily trust that they replaced all three spark plugs near the firewall (unfortunately). I've heard of lazy shops not changing the couple that are difficult to get to. You will also want to check carefully for vacuum leaks.

-Rod

It is pinging from the engine.( I know the sound well from the old days) It seems like when it does this the tranny is like it is between two gears. Overdrive and third gear.

At times it does idle rough. I have looked for vacuum leaks and found none. (Wish I had a smoke machine). I did pick up a set of NGK platinium plugs today that I will install when I get a chance next weekend.

Also when I get a chance I am going to look in the dark for any jumping spark if any.

Are the coil packs on these 3.0 engines a problem like on the 3.8 Windstar engines???? At 225K mileage who knows what could go wrong.

I hooked up my laptop scan tool today and the TPS seemed to be fine.

[shorod]

I'm not aware of the coil packs being an issue, but then again I'm not aware of the coil packs being an issue on the 3.8L engine which was also available in the Taurus (although far less common than the 3.0L).

-Rod

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by shorod

I'm not aware of the coil packs being an issue, but then again I'm not aware of the coil packs being an issue on the 3.8L engine which was also available in the Taurus (although far less common than the 3.0L).

-Rod

Seems to me that on the 3.8 engine the coil pack gets cracks on the bottom of pack, maybe I am thinking of another make.

A few weeks ago I took the air hose from the filter canister to the throttle body off to clean the throttle body, in the process I noticed that there was oil on the plastic tube that runs from th valve cover oil fill neck to the air hose from the filter canister to throttle body. The oil had actually accumulated in one of the ribs to a small sludge spot. What would cause this??? I did install a new aftermarket PCV last fall, possibly I need to get a motorcraft PCV. The engie has used about 3/4 of a quart of oil in 2,800 miles. I need to check that again and also clean the MAF with MAF cleaner.

[shorod]

That oil consumption rate seems a bit high, but it doesn't sound like the PCV tube is wet enough with oil to really account for all of that oil use. However, it won't hurt to replace the PCV with an OEM one. You probably didn't clean that tube out when you replaced the PCV, did you? If not, some of that oil could still be from a prior leaking PCV valve.

-Rod

[Jeff Collision]

Check the transmission range selector before you doing anything with transmission. This is a common problem in ford. You need to raise the hood and shift it manually into park and then tighten the bolt for the linkage. Sounds like it may have vibrated loose, the linkage will be on top of the transmission.

[tempfixit]

Sorry it has taken so long to post back, here is what I all did.

Changed fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs and wires, installed new PCV valve, grommett and hose, cleaned air duct tube from air filter to throttle body, cleaned MAF Sensor. Tryed the Seafoam tranny tune up additive. Installed New Motorcraft TPS. Still problem persisted. ( THis was all maintenance things that needed to be done anyway)

Finally got to changing transmission filter and fluid by dropping pan. Drove for 300 miles, then removed return line on transmission and did a full fluid change using Mercron V fluid. Seems that the problem has disappeared.

Thanks for all help people.