Just curious, what should you look for if you think your transmisson may be bad?

I've had my 2001 Taurus SES for two weeks now, and I think I *may* have a tranny problem, but I'm not sure.

When I put the car into drive, it seems to take off pretty quick, with a jerk. Not a hard jerk, but noticeable enough for me.

Then when I put it into park, it does a slight jerking too. And I don't just slam the car into park either. I wait for the car to stop completely, then put it in park.

I've also noticed some SLIGHT jerks while driving around town. It usually only happens when I am going 40 m.p.h. and under. It never happens when I am on the expressway.

The car doesn't seem to make any weird noises or anything, just those little jerks.

Could this be the trans? Any ideas of what this could be? I'm just a little curious.

Thanks,
~ Kari ~ :)

how many miles do ya have on it? could be something as simple as fluid filter and gasket change.

True, regardless of the transmission performance, its about the right age to get a trans fluid and filter change just as part of ordinary preventive maitenance, regardless of how well its running. After the change, see if the problem is still there.

There is 35,000 miles on the car right now.

What is your idle RPM in Park and Drive?

When the car is in park, it idles at *I think* about 500 - 700 RPM. It looks to be a little more than half way to the 1000 RPM mark.

This is normal, right?

500-700 RPM is probably quite normal for your car, it is actually a very good low idle. I have seen many Taurus's and read so many posts where the Park warm idle is at or very near 1000 RPM (including my own)
What's more important though is if that idle is smooth, which gives you the indication that all cylinders are fairly well balanced and performing efficiently.
Mainly because the car is new to you and you may have no idea exactly how it was cared for, I would recommend that you open the phone book and call 5 or so reputable transmission shops and ask them how much for what they usually call their Service Special. Among other things it should include a complete fluid flush, new filter and pan gasket, band adjustment if needed and visual inspection, ect.
A service like this should be under a hundred, (well worth it) and make sure they show you the debris (if any) in the bottom of the pan.

Hey - thanks for the advice.

Hopefully this week, or next I'll be able to get my Taurus into a Transmission shop to get a service special.

I'll definatly be sure to call around first though :)

Thanks again!

~ Kari ~

Karilyn, get it to a Ford dealer quickly. It should still be in 3 year/36,000 warranty.

When I bought the car a little over two weeks ago, they checked to see if it was still under the 3 yr 36,000 mile warranty. It wasn't. My car is a 2001. I did buy the 4 year 48,000 mile warranty though...just in case.

Jerking at several speeds ... VSS SENSOR

The sensors weaken.. First the cruise seems to work occasionally it uses the same sensor then months later jerks start appearing..

Cheap repair.. but no codes..

Good to try.

When you have the transmission service done, make sure that you get the pan drop/clean out & new filter. Be sure they refill with Mercon 5.

I'd take it to a dealer for a transmission flush - some chains say they do the work but actually don't. If you do get it done at some lube chain, make sure to stay away from power flushing - your transmission will hate you.

Might want to go to a dealer and ask about a TSB, there is a TSB for harsh drive, reverse and park engagement. The jerking is probably the torque converter locking up; they can lockup hard sometimes.

"I did buy the 4 year 48,000 mile warranty though...just in case."
Four years starts on the day the car was delivered so I suspect the warranty is long-gone.

Read wafredrick's reply: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=4129122#post4129122
Essence of the reply is if you get a tranny flush then get the tranny valve body cleaned. Around here a tranny 'flush' costs 'bout $130. and a fluid 'change' $60.00 With a 'change' they drop the pan and clean or replace the filter then put about six quarts of new fluid in, or whatever it takes to bring it up to the full mark on the dip stick. With a 'flush' they hook up a machine and it flushes out all the old tranny fluid and puts in new, plus they drop the pan and clean the fliter . I think your tranny holds about 15 quarts of fluid so you can see a 'flush' takes a lot more fluid than a 'change'.

One of two ways to go here. You can tell them your problems and ask to WATCH the flush or change being done because THEY KNOW if it doesn't cure your tranny woes you have to get it rebuilt and an unethical shop would probably not do anything so you'd let them do the rebuild. OR, get it changed or flushed and don't say anything about a tranny problem, but I'd still ask to watch the work being done and who knows, they might find some debris on the filter indicating the tranny needs rebuilding. If the filter is real dirty then the pump can't pull enough fluid through the filter to keep the pressure up, then when the pressure finally builds up and it goes in gear, . . WHAM! Pure speculation there because I'm no tranny expert and just offering food for thought. In any event, please let us know what the outcome is.

PS Is the tranny fluid at the proper level on the dip stick? Read the manual for how to check instructions and also the right fluid to use. Or, swing by the Ford place and ask them to check it for you. If the fluid is just a half a pint low it can cause problems.

bassasasom spoke with conviction, says it's the VSS Sensor. I Goodled and found this: "All modern vehicles have a VSS sensor (Vehicle Speed Sensor) attached to the transmission or an axle that generates a speed signal. This signal is used by the speedometer, cruise control, and some of the engine and transmission computers." Did some more research and among other things the VSS tells the tranny when to shift. From what I gathered it's an external screw-in part so shouldn't be that expensive to replace.

If you decide to check it yourself, check it a good 5 or 6 times. Check it once, do some driving (don't go out of your way just to check it), then check it again ... like everytime you stop when you go shopping or whatever. The transmission fluid is tricky. I'll check mine once and it will be empty and check it two minutes later and it will be good.

An '01 w/35,000 miles? Unless you knew the car, were you slightly suspicious? I sold a car 3 years ago w/156,000 miles on it, when I saw it again it had 57,000 miles on the odometer.

Kari, please see this thread and my reply #6 which confirms the importance of using the right ATF, auto tranny fluid. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=4131773&posted=1#post4131773

"An '01 w/35,000 miles?" I caught that to Willyum, and that is why we should NEVER buy a used vehicle without running a CarFax. Last I knew 15K miles per year is average so 60-70K would be in the ball park. But, a lady drove a 95 Honda Accord with 37K miles on it, has a home up North and summer home on Hilton Head near here so only drove it shopping when she was here for the summers and she flew back & forth. Honda dealer manager is a good friend and he bought it and it is immaculate. The wife's 05 Marquis is a year old this month and has just over 7K miles on it and my 03 Taurus just turned 40K.

I do in-home services and have a lot of retired elderly customers and some of them have some like-new cars that are garaged and ridicilously low mileage.

Hi, There is a ford TSB pertaing to your problem, It mentions a defective Low/Intermediate band, It suggests band replacement,Due to faulty friction material, But from past experience I have found that a fluid and filter change with the CORRECT fluid will circumvent the problem, You did not mention it but, If the trans bumps when you shift from park or drive to neutral and from reverse to neutral you deffinitly have the band problemm,,,,Try the fluid chane first..See Ya, Clay.

Kari,

Did you ever find out what was wrong with your Taurus? I have a 2001 Ford Taurus I just purchased with 41k miles that has the same exact problems.