Low servo repair: transmission slip problem solve

[GeoClark]

Thank You for this timely information!

[therussianmechanic]

Hey there guys. Not sure if this post is still active, but I've got a 2000 Taurus with the AX4 piece of shit in it. And it won't shift into second gear. Run in first and reverse, the clutch seems to engage to shift (like its in neutral) but just won't go over to second gear. Before it got this way, the tranny was slipping pretty rough, exactly how piper described it in his van in the original post on this thread. Any pointers or help out there??? I'm mechanically inclined, just need some pointers and ideas of what it may be???

[GeoClark]

My transmission issue is a failure to shift into second gear - but it will slowly accelerate to about 70 kph then shift into overdrive at a throttle acceleration just above fast idle.
It will only slip and rev up if one tries to accelerate.
Iit would however act correctly if I used the shifter to start off in second then shift manually up to OD...

Last week I went to a transmission shop I had previously used for another vehicle several years ago.

They describe several issues with these transmissions - among which are cracked pistons. All he described to me were cracked internal parts but he never said he had ever dealt with the low servo.

I bought my '96 Windstar with this problem and I parked for the winter.
I will take it into this transmission shop in May since he said he will then remove the low servo cover and take a look.

This is not a repair I want to deal with since I do not have a hoist but I have found the UPGRADE kit at the vendors indicated in this post.

The transmission shop indicated to me that Taurus has problems along with the Windstars.

I would guess winter driving is the root cause. Are we not supposed to let the vehicle warm properly before engaging the transmission? (a childhood recollection!)

I feel this is definitely worth a few hundred dollars for the 'look' and probable servo replacement.

[northern piper]

I agree, a look into what is beneath the servo cover would be worthwhile and likely yield some info. Stepping back, when my low servo went, I reasoned that without removing the transmission, the servo is pretty much the only thing that's serviceable, aside from the usual fluid/filter changes. So, not having anything to loose, I figured it was worth a shot. I did first speak to the Ford service guy who "assured" me that the servo wasn't my problem, but upon opening the servo cover as detailed in my initial posts indeed the servo piston "e" clip was the culprit.

While I do have the luxury of a lift, I'd suggest that this repair is doable on the ground, assuming that you've got the van up on ramps. Whether the van is on the ground or in the air, (and you're lying down or standing) the space where you need to reach doesn't change. It's a tight squeeze but there are no heavy duty fasteners that require lots of physical ummpf or anything. I'd attempt it on the ground for sure. Just get your parts first.

[GeoClark]

Since I have the ramps and sufficient tools , I will order the kit and have a go at it in May.

I can always tow it to the transmission shop if needed.

Thanks a Lot , piper!.

[parkerb]

piper, thank you for this write up. my '00 with 241k miles has 1-2 shifted poorly for a while. along with some body rust, the van is on it's last leg. i was curious, if the e clip is broke on mine, is there space available for the broke fragments to circulate out of that bore and into the rest of the trans? i'm considering this repair but i do not want it to snowball.

tia,
parker

[northern piper]

Hi Parker,

I believe that if the clip broke it could be drawn into the body of the transmission. As I said in my write-up, luckily I found all the pieces and was able to confirm that nothing was floating around in mine.. I hope you'd have the same luck!

It's not that bad a repair and I'd suggest it's certainly worth it to try. Just get the screws of 2 or 3 lengths so you can incrementally tighten the cap on once you're done. That's the toughest part of the job IMO.

Good luck!

[12Ounce]

Ditto ... I had a very similar experience; recovered all pieces of the clip.

And "ditto" on the additional screws of longer lengths ... or some all-thread rod.

[scubacat]

Definitely worth a try, but at 241K your transmission is almost certainly due for a rebuild. Obviously that depends if you're going to keep the van, but I just had it rebuilt on our 2002 (165K miles) and I have to tell you, it's like driving a whole new van. There wasn't really anything majorly wrong, although there was 1-2 shudder and an occasional flare (temporary "miss" or slip on 1-2) but just the amount of power it has now is impressive. The clutch packs, seals, etc. just get worn down after a while, especially in bigger vehicles like minivans. Simply dropping it off at a shop and picking it up 3 days later, the total cost was $1750, and that included a new torque converter, fluid, and a complete rebuild. If you get a good shop, they generally know these vans inside and out and do a really good job. Amazingly, they never even removed the axles from the wheel hubs!

If you're going to keep the van a few more years, you probably need a rebuild. Then again, if not, see if you can recover and replace that clip!