transmission or something else?

I have a 95 ford contour automatic-transmission that seems to be slipping gears. I can be driving it and it acts fine, but then around 60-75 miles per hour it acts as if you were driving a manual transmission and were keeping your foot on the gas while pushing in the clutch and then dropping the clutch - causing a jerking motion. When my car does this, it will act as if it pops out of gear into neutral and then jerks back into gear. It will do this a couple times simultaneously and then be fine for a month or two and then do it again. I have taken it to the local ford dealer and they have had it for 2 1/2 weeks trying to duplicate the problem and get it figured out. I am getting impatient with them because they are a dealer, they should be able to figure this kind of thing out after having the car in there for the third time in a month and them having it now for 2 1/2 weeks on the third try. When the car "pops out of gear" if you still have your foot on the gas and go to accelerate, it will act like you are trying to accelerate in neutral. I don't think it is the engine, but I do think it is electronic - which the ford dealer does not. I believe that it is something in the computer that is telling the torque converter in the transmission to shift when it doesn't need to shift. Am I on the right track? Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it could be to help me out?

I am experiencing the exact same problem. Have you had any luck identifying the cause?? It is very fustrating.

Vehicle Speed Sensor.

I am experiencing the exact same problem. Have you had any luck identifying the cause?? It is very fustrating.

I have not had any luck identifying the problem. It is very frustrating, I agree. If you have any luck, let me know.

I can tell you for certain that it is not the engine itself. I unfortunatly had this occur for several months and had to replace the engine in that time frame. The issue still occures with the replacement engine. I am going to try the speed sensor that was suggested.

I have not had any luck identifying the problem. It is very frustrating, I agree. If you have any luck, let me know.

The ford dealer that I am working with finally got my car to duplicate the problem and it is the MLP sensor. Hope this helps you out.

For future referece for the MLPS.

Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA - List $48.31
Its an easy replace it yourself job.

http://www.rthoman.com/images/car/mlps.JPG

Things needed:

5/16 open ended wrench
MLPS - Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA
Optional electrical contact cleaner

http://www.rthoman.com/images/car/mlps/mlps_location.jpg
1. I found it easiest to just get the air box out of the way.

2. Put the car in neutral (don't forget the e-brake)

3. Using a 5/16 open ended wrench remove the two bolts.

4. Pull off plug, then the MLPS should just pull up off of the shaft

http://www.rthoman.com/images/car/mlps/post.jpg

5. Put the new MPLS on the shaft, there are notches that it must slide onto.

6. Bolt it back on ensuring that the line for Neutral is lined up.

http://www.rthoman.com/images/car/mlps/line.jpg

7. Spray some electrical contact cleaner just to make sure that the connetion is clean, then plug it back in

My 2000 Contour has been doing the same... My engine light is on and the read out from a diagnostic is "TRANS RANGE SENSOR" "HIGH CIRCUIT INPUT"... $29.99 from a parts store after they order it from Ford. Not sure how much it is at Ford themselves. After we replace this I'll post my response as to whether it works or not.