92 Taurus tranny issue

Hello, new here (and posting all my woes, lol!)

I have a 92 Taurus with (supposedly) 69,000 miles on it. Bought it about 8 months ago. Since the odometer looks like it starts over a 100K, I really don't know if that's the actual mileage or not. Seller told me it was his grandpas car that he only used as a grocery getter since he lived in assisted living. Anyway, she drives very well, and has been one of the cars I have used as a daily commuter. She is for my son who recently got his drivers license (and refuses to drive, go figure!)

Anyway, the tranny slips when changing into 3rd gear. It doesn't happen all the time, and I haven't had any real issues with it. But I am concerned for the longevity of the vehicle. I am hoping this car will get my 17 year old (very responsible, NON-hotrod type kid) through college (if he ever decides to actually drive, lol!)

Any advice or suggestions? The fluid level is fine and the color is reddish.

Are you certain it's slipping and not something like an ignition misfire or stumble? Is it smooth, or rough? Do the engine RPMs increase during the shift?

-Rod

Well, I've always thought it was slipping, but perhaps I am wrong! LOL!

It kinds loses power during the transition......chugs for a second or two, two or three tries before it actually picks the gear up. I haven't noticed the RPMs going up. If anything they go down.

Maybe he just refuses to drive a '92 Taurus! Had that problem with my youngest, college age daughter and grandpa's '96 Grand Marquis. Changed out that ride to an '02 Corolla when she started school in Tennessee. But it was a tank.
Your problem may not be the transmission. Have it checked.

chugs for a second or two, two or three tries before it actually picks the gear up. I haven't noticed the RPMs going up. If anything they go down.

These comments make we lean towards a misfire, either due to the introduction of un-metered air (vacuum leak, etc.) or an ignition misfire (spark plugs, wires, coil(s), fuel).

-Rod

20 years ago I had a transmission rebuilt and when I picked up the vehicle it ran just like that you described. I took it back to the shop complaining they did the tranny wrong or needed to adjust it. It turned out to be not the tranny, but the ignition module. But they had cracked it during the re-install of the tranny. But the way it acted, and because it just had tranny work, I didn't even bother looking at the engine before I took it back to them. That taught me to never assume it is one problem until you verify it.