1996 Windstar Transmission

I have a 96 windstar with 85,000 miles. Just recently without any warning or reason, the transmission started to malfunction. After driving about 25 miles, I came to a stoplight and stopped, when the light turned green, I pushed the gas and .... nothing. The rpm's go to 4000 but the van won't move. I shift to park and back to drive and then it works. Now the the overdrive light is blinking on the gear selector and most of the time the tranny works but sometimes it just won't go. Any help???????

I have a 96 windstar with 85,000 miles. Just recently without any warning or reason, the transmission started to malfunction. After driving about 25 miles, I came to a stoplight and stopped, when the light turned green, I pushed the gas and .... nothing. The rpm's go to 4000 but the van won't move. I shift to park and back to drive and then it works. Now the the overdrive light is blinking on the gear selector and most of the time the tranny works but sometimes it just won't go. Any help???????
I am having some problems with mine now. Mine will go from D to second gear without warning. I have a 1996, 3.8 L with 99,000 miles. It happened one night a year ago the next day it was ok. It just happened again today coming to work. I was told that it sounded like the Power Module. Local parts dealer told $280.00. I am still researching it now. If and when I find out I will answer back.

I am having some problems with mine now. Mine will go from D to second gear without warning. I have a 1996, 3.8 L with 99,000 miles. It happened one night a year ago the next day it was ok. It just happened again today coming to work. I was told that it sounded like the Power Module. Local parts dealer told $280.00. I am still researching it now. If and when I find out I will answer back.
Well I got it fixed from an X ford mechainc. It was a common problem with the 1996 Widstars with 3.8L engines. The MRP sensor was bad. Fluid and filter change and the car drives and performs very well now. I hope to get another 99,000 miles out of her!

Well I got it fixed from an X ford mechainc. It was a common problem with the 1996 Widstars with 3.8L engines. The MRP sensor was bad. Fluid and filter change and the car drives and performs very well now. I hope to get another 99,000 miles out of her!

That is good to hear! This issue is typically a cracked forward clutch piston which requires the AX4S to be completely torn down. Glad to hear you are on the road.
G/luck
Joel

I have a 96 windstar with 85,000 miles. Just recently without any warning or reason, the transmission started to malfunction. After driving about 25 miles, I came to a stoplight and stopped, when the light turned green, I pushed the gas and .... nothing. The rpm's go to 4000 but the van won't move. I shift to park and back to drive and then it works. Now the the overdrive light is blinking on the gear selector and most of the time the tranny works but sometimes it just won't go. Any help???????

Mine was doing the exact same thing. Luckily, I had the filter and the fluid changed and it fixed the problem. :biggrin:

Good luck!

Mine was doing the exact same thing. Luckily, I had the filter and the fluid changed and it fixed the problem. :biggrin:

Good luck!

I have a 96 Windstar...3.8L....95,000 miles...and the tranny started acting up about 2 weeks ago....first it would "clunk"...taking off..sometimes...then my wife drove it today and it made a loud "Clunk"...locked up the front wheels...couldn't get it to move...after 15 minutes....it was alright...weird...i bought it from a friend about 1 month ago....i'm hoping a flush of the tranny will help...he doesn't remember the last time he had the tranny serviced....has anyone had the similar problems with the Clunking noise.....ALLDATA.COM mentions it in their TSB's!

I have had these same problems and did the same things you have done. Then on my vacation back to Montana BBBBAAAAAAMM.
it went out. Stuck in the middle of no where... the trac light a flashing the overdrive button flashing.....got to the next town and stopped....DONE. new tranny...now i am just waiting for this one to go out............................................... ....

Well I got it fixed from an X ford mechainc. It was a common problem with the 1996 Widstars with 3.8L engines. The MRP sensor was bad. Fluid and filter change and the car drives and performs very well now. I hope to get another 99,000 miles out of her!

Please tell me what "MRP" stands for?

Luke.... :banghead:

Well I got it fixed from an X ford mechainc. It was a common problem with the 1996 Widstars with 3.8L engines. The MRP sensor was bad. Fluid and filter change and the car drives and performs very well now. I hope to get another 99,000 miles out of her!

1996 Windstar 3.8 L engine with a transmission problem happen after going a steep hill. Shifts on all gears but once in park engine needs to be turn off for a few minutes and restarted it will go and only for a few miles. Has enough of fluid and was flush out months ago but the filter was not change.

I think "MRP" was the "neutral" switch....or range select switch. This switch sits on top of the transmission, and is connected the the selector....that you select P-R-N-D from.
The switch tells the electronics what you have selected, and then the electronics take over from there. Certainly worth checking/replacing before investing in a new transmission.

Hello, So I have a 1996 Windstar as well as having transmission problems :runaround:
What happened -- I made a sharp left hand turn into a store the trans starts leaking well pouring fluid Like a Stuck hog :uhoh:
Now ---- I have no idea what would cause this maybe a Torque Converter Seal??? Any help here would be greatly appreciated Thanks.