95 Windstar transmission slips from 3-2

I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to the problem with the transmission in my 95 Windstar. It will often slip when downshifting from third into second. Everything else about it works fine. Shifting up through the gears goes well. No problems otherwise. I discussed the issue with a transmission tech that my family has worked with in the past and he indicated that it was probably an issue in the clutch pack.

Any other thoughts? I had the transmission flushed and serviced by a local Ford dealer some months back, but that had no effect on the problem.

So, no one has any ideas on this issue?

In other posts about different transmission problems I've read the suggestions of replacing the TRS. A check of the Ford service manual shows that the TRS also can be adjusted. It states to use a Transmission Range/Manual Lever Position Sensor Alignment Tool, p/n t92p-70010-ah. Any suggestions as to where to get this tool, other than the Ford dealer, and any idea what it will cost?

I've also read some comments about maybe changing out the VSS. Can someone point me to where that is? I'm having some trouble finding in on the CD version of the service manual.

Try a visit to www.autozone.com and look under vehicle specific repair guides. The have FREE repair guides, as well as the, pay subscription, alldatadiy.
I would not try to fix a problem by adjusting the TRS, just replace it.
There are 2 speed sensors.....

I have not messed with either one.....so this is just what I have read.

The one that is hard to get to is the one that the Speedometer cable connects to, which is on the back.....middle of the transaxle......
This is the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor).
As you mentioned.....this is the one of the two sensors that is more likely to fail.
The repair instructions that I have, say to remove the "Y" pipe....which is the unit that goes from the "flex" pipe, that is right in front of the big square muffler......includes the catalytic coverters, and up to each exhause manifold.
You will need to disconnect the electrical connectors to the 4 oxygen sensors......and pray that nothing breaks.....as your vehicle is now 11 years old..... I am speaking from experience on this 1 item.....
I HAVE taken my "Y" pipe off....and you can see it in my pictures.
I had 1 oxygen sensor that mounted into the rear of the rear-most catalytic converter.......and it practically fell out.....mounting nut and all...which would have been major problems had I not been replacing the "Y" pipe assembly.
I think some folks have gotten to the VSS without taking the "Y" pipe off....but it is much harder to reach to it. There is a heat shield over the VSS.
Best advise that I can give, follow that speedometer cable.
Also, if you replace the VSS, get the Motorcraft replacement part.....and make sure that it includes the little nylon gear on the end.....(I understand that the Motorcraft replacement includes the gear).....This, I read on flatrate.com from FORD techs.
You do NOT want to do all that work.....and find out that you need that little gear......and not have it.

The Easy sensor is the TSS, Turbine Speed Sensor......often called the Transmission Speed Sensor. The TSS is located on the driver's side, right by the place that the drive shaft comes out.....from the picture that I am looking at.....it is at about the 11 o'clock position.
Of course, I have not seen many posts about it failing.

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This MIGHT help you find the information on your CD........

The TSS is listed under the transaxle information on alldatadiy.
The VSS is NOT listed under the transaxle information on Alldatadiy.....it is listed under "Sensors and Switches", then "Sensors and Switches - Powertrain Management", then "Sensors and Switches - Computers and Control Systems.

You can also follow the same string under "Powertrain Management" instead of "Sensors and Switches".

Thanks for all the info, wiswind.

That's why I couldn't find any reference to the VSS in the service manual. The Ford service manual CD refers to this part as the speedometer drive and driven grear assembly. I read the R&R section in the manual for getting to it and they do state that you must remove the Y-pipes. I just had a new set of Y-pipes installed last year when the original cats clogged, so this area is pretty new. I'll have a look at it and see what I can do. If I had realised this at the time I would have had my mechanic check on the VSS while he had the cats off. Oh well.

I think the TSS is also often referred to as the ABS sensor.

Thanks again. I think I'll try to change out these two sensors this weekend and see if this transmission behaves itself better or not.

I began to half suspect that this problem might be caused by an electrical or sensor issue a little while ago. I had a class III hitch and trailer wiring harness installed some time back and recently had it removed. After this was done the transmission was shifting better. It still has the problem, but not as severely as it had been.

Thursday evening last week I replaced the TRS. I think replacing that helped some, but I'm not sure. On Saturday I attempted to replace the VSS and inspect the speedometer drive gears, but that didn't happen. To have any room to work in that area you need to remove the catalytic converter Y-pipe. The bolts to the front exhaust manifold would come right out, and the bolts tying the end of the Y-pipe to the flex pipe would come right out, but the bolts to the pipe that attaches to the back exhaust manifold weren't happening. One was stripped, and the other completely seized. I don't have the facility or the tools to fight with them without causing a lot of bigger problems, so I decided to make an appointment with my mechanic to have him take that project. However, unknown to me all the while I had the front end up on the ramps brake fluid was leaking out the back from somewhere and I barely had any brakes. I pulled each of the rear wheels and pulled the drums to have a look, and the drivers side brake cylinder looks like it might be leaking. I don't trust myself enough to tackle brake issues at this point, so it looks like I'll have something else for my mechanic to do.

I'll post an update later on what I find regarding the VSS and speedo gears.

I've put some miles on my 95 WS since changing those sensors and there has been no change in the problem. So, I guess the issue really is in the clutch pack as my tranny mechanic said. My local auto salvage can sell me a replacement tranny for $400, so I figure I'll just run this one until it finally fails and decide what to do then. Thanks for all the help.