'99 Transmission AX4N problem

My 99 Taurus, 3.0 DOHC (S VIN) with an AX4N trasnmission. the car seems to jerk when going from 1st to 2nd.

It doesn't happen all of the time, it seems like the car needs to be warm and it happens more frequently when turning versus just going straight, but it has happened in both situations. From a stop, I accelerate, it moves then it hesitates and sounds like the gear is hung, then jerks and is fine into the rest.

The check engine light isn't indicating anything. I had the fluid and filter in the transmission changed at the dealer about a year ago. The CV joints and whell bearings are new, and it started doing it before they were replaced.

Any ideas?

Check with the dealer and see if there is any PCM updates current for you car. Ford sends out notices to dealers about computer updates, but not all are recalls. Some cars have a problem and some don't. With the update it will change the shift points and fuel trims saved in the PCM(powertrian control module)

any luck with this? My 01 sable is doing the same thing

This is an exact description of what I experiencing with my '98 Sable. I'm not hurrying to a mechanic right at this point because doesn't happen all the time and I notice that if O/D is Off seems to be OK even though is my feeling that is prematurely shifting in 2nd gear sometimes. Somebody was answering you saying that maybe a PCM update can solve the problem but I'm wondering why it didn't happen before? Personally I'm suspecting the PSP switch (Power Steering Pressure switch) because I can relate the problem more when turning left or right and it appear to be the only connection between steering and transmission. Other then that the car runs great.
Your answer would be greatly appreciated.
All the best.

I'm having the same problem with my '99 Taurus. It started in May of this year while highway driving. It has since happened 2 times, the most recent today. The first time it happened, I panicked and had it towed to the dealer, where they couldn't recreate the problem and installed a fuel pump. Turned out that was unnecessary, because it has happened again--once while I was on cruise control and then again today while driving 60 on the interstate. Today, the "O/D Off" indicator came on [green flashing]. The dealer thinks it's transmission-related, but like you all, the car runs fine 6.5 days out of 7. I'm reluctant to spend any more $$ on it -- the car has 28,000 miles on it. Your replies have been very helpful.

Did you people buy these cars used? I'm wondering if this is just a side-effect to transfusing the tranny fluid too late the very first time. I bought my '97 new and didn't transfuse the tranny fluid until 97k miles. Everybody told me not to do it because it would ruin the tranny (they recommended just changing what was in the pan), but I didn't "buy it" and totally transfused it anyway. About 400 miles later, I got a "Torque converter clutch slippage detected" (#1744, or something like that) Check Engine code - which worried me quite a bit. Not one to run to mechanics (at all), I then totally cleaned out and transfused the cooling system, and this cleared the code! The code SEEMED to indicate the transmission was history, but in reality, it was a HEAT-RELATED issue (the tranny fluid was not being cooled sufficiently because the cooling system was so corroded). How did I discover this? While continuously clearing the code over several weeks time, I noticed that when the ambient temperature changed, so did the frequency of the code. Anyway, almost two years and 30k miles later, it's still running OK (125k miles). However, it DOES sometimes "slip" (I'll call it) when I'm taking off from a stop - and usually on turns, but I don't think that has anything to do with it, except that I think when you're turning, you're more likely to unevenly depress the gas pedal - causing the slip to occur. I find if I just accelerate smoothly, it doesn't happen (much at all), and I'm certainly not going to bring it to a tranny shop for THAT because I know what they'll (try to) do to me...

Did you people buy these cars used? I'm wondering if this is just a side-effect to transfusing the tranny fluid too late the very first time. I bought my '97 new and didn't transfuse the tranny fluid until 97k miles. Everybody told me not to do it because it would ruin the tranny (they recommended just changing what was in the pan), but I didn't "buy it" and totally transfused it anyway. About 400 miles later, I got a "Torque converter clutch slippage detected" (#1744, or something like that) Check Engine code - which worried me quite a bit. Not one to run to mechanics (at all), I then totally cleaned out and transfused the cooling system, and this cleared the code! The code SEEMED to indicate the transmission was history, but in reality, it was a HEAT-RELATED issue (the tranny fluid was not being cooled sufficiently because the cooling system was so corroded). How did I discover this? While continuously clearing the code over several weeks time, I noticed that when the ambient temperature changed, so did the frequency of the code. Anyway, almost two years and 30k miles later, it's still running OK (125k miles). However, it DOES sometimes "slip" (I'll call it) when I'm taking off from a stop - and usually on turns, but I don't think that has anything to do with it, except that I think when you're turning, you're more likely to unevenly depress the gas pedal - causing the slip to occur. I find if I just accelerate smoothly, it doesn't happen (much at all), and I'm certainly not going to bring it to a tranny shop for THAT because I know what they'll (try to) do to me...

This person bought the car brand new. Have been driving it for 6 years and it has 28K on it. It has been maintained. The car had a VSS problem. Yeah, the dealer is a ripoff but it's either that or freak out every time something gets messed up.

Bought mine used, with 36K miles on it. Dropped pan and did tranny filter and fluid, replaced with Castrol Mercon V, as well as added LUCAS tranny fix/stabilizer. Made no difference. Wondering if anyone had luck taking it to the dealer to have the PCM flashed/upgraded?? I would hate to think its transmission after just 36K miles though..... That would really but a black mark in my book for Ford

This person bought the car brand new. Have been driving it for 6 years and it has 28K on it. It has been maintained. The car had a VSS problem. Yeah, the dealer is a ripoff but it's either that or freak out every time something gets messed up.

My VSS also failed after two years and about 40k miles. I replaced it for $35 (AutoZone). My father had the same car, make and model year, and his VSS also failed, so I guess Ford put some bad sensors into a lot of their cars. My replacement VSS has been in there for around 5 years and 90K now without a problem. I also had the Camshaft Position Sensor fail, and of course, the magnet fell down into the synchronizer and destroyed that too. The CMP sensor was another $35, but the synchronizer was $120! I was pretty mad about that one. There's no way that magnet should be able to just fall down into the rotating synchronizer. Poor design, in my opinion. Sad thing is - it can happen again because the replacement CMP (AutoZone) is identical! As far as the tranny issue, I really think it's something you'll just have to live with. These transmissions just aren't very good. If you manage to keep them running without ending up in a tranny shop, you've won the battle. I'm hoping for 200k, but probably won't make it. My old mitsubishi tranny only made it to 160k before the stick kept popping out of gear...