Transmission Problem?
wwepatriot
04-20-2007, 06:27 PM
I have a 1993 Ford Taurus GL.
I am having what I believe is transmission problems although their is hesistation to whether or not thats what it is.
The Car starts up fine, no problem here. First 3-4 mins you can actually shift the car and the transmission shifts and the car accelerates. Then it acts as if the transmission fails. The Car will no longer accelerate in any direction in any gear, you could put the pedal to the metal and it will not go anywhere. Let it set for about 7-8 minutes, turn it back on and it will do the same thing again where it will go and shift then just stop shifting, no matter what gear its in. Park works though of course.
After 2 days of testing and such, the belief was that maybe the front pump of the transmission which pumps the transmission fluid has decided to go out or something.
Anyone got any ideas?
At first I thought something was over heating causing the problem, not too certain since the radiator and thermostat seems to be working fine.
I am having what I believe is transmission problems although their is hesistation to whether or not thats what it is.
The Car starts up fine, no problem here. First 3-4 mins you can actually shift the car and the transmission shifts and the car accelerates. Then it acts as if the transmission fails. The Car will no longer accelerate in any direction in any gear, you could put the pedal to the metal and it will not go anywhere. Let it set for about 7-8 minutes, turn it back on and it will do the same thing again where it will go and shift then just stop shifting, no matter what gear its in. Park works though of course.
After 2 days of testing and such, the belief was that maybe the front pump of the transmission which pumps the transmission fluid has decided to go out or something.
Anyone got any ideas?
At first I thought something was over heating causing the problem, not too certain since the radiator and thermostat seems to be working fine.
Huney1
04-20-2007, 09:27 PM
"Then it acts as if the transmission fails." There are a number of things that could cause that problem. Has the tranny filter and fluid ever been changed? If the filter stops up there's no fluid going through the torque converter to power the car. How about the fuel filter? It should be changed every 50K miles anyway, Ford says every 30K miles and the tranny fluid should be changed every 30K mi. Is the fluid red or brown and does it have a burnt odor? Pull the tranny dip stick out and smell it. Wipe some on a white paper towel and check the color. How many miles on the car & what engine? Get back to us with more info and we'll try to help.
G'nite for now . . . Zzzzz . . . .
G'nite for now . . . Zzzzz . . . .
Huney1
04-21-2007, 02:46 PM
Anyway, . . . long day yesterday and I was sleepy, but here's more info.
"the belief was that maybe the front pump of the transmission which pumps the transmission fluid has decided to go out or something." Front pump? I believe they're referring to the torque converter which is why I'm concerned about the condition of the fluid because it provides the connection between the engine and transmission through a hydraulic coupling called the torque converter. When the fluid is squeezed between the clutches it acts as a "glue," providing additional friction and holding capacity to drive the vehicle. So, if you have decripit fluid in the tranny it makes it much harder for it to work correctly and add to that starving the converter for fluid because of a clogged filter does not a happy tranny make.
"you could put the pedal to the metal and it will not go anywhere." That also indicates starving for fuel so change the fuel filter and if it still does it get a pressure test run to see if the fuel pump is providing proper pressure to the fuel injectors. When was the last you change the air filter? Have you ever cleaned the MAFS - mass air flow sensor?
Last thought is the catalytic converter may be clooged and it runs until the cat gets hot and expands closing the little holes and the engine won't go. BTW, if that was the case I should think you would get a check engine light and codes indicating problems with the O2 sensors or some indication the exaust had a problem.
"the belief was that maybe the front pump of the transmission which pumps the transmission fluid has decided to go out or something." Front pump? I believe they're referring to the torque converter which is why I'm concerned about the condition of the fluid because it provides the connection between the engine and transmission through a hydraulic coupling called the torque converter. When the fluid is squeezed between the clutches it acts as a "glue," providing additional friction and holding capacity to drive the vehicle. So, if you have decripit fluid in the tranny it makes it much harder for it to work correctly and add to that starving the converter for fluid because of a clogged filter does not a happy tranny make.
"you could put the pedal to the metal and it will not go anywhere." That also indicates starving for fuel so change the fuel filter and if it still does it get a pressure test run to see if the fuel pump is providing proper pressure to the fuel injectors. When was the last you change the air filter? Have you ever cleaned the MAFS - mass air flow sensor?
Last thought is the catalytic converter may be clooged and it runs until the cat gets hot and expands closing the little holes and the engine won't go. BTW, if that was the case I should think you would get a check engine light and codes indicating problems with the O2 sensors or some indication the exaust had a problem.
shorod
04-21-2007, 10:20 PM
Last thought is the catalytic converter may be clooged and it runs until the cat gets hot and expands closing the little holes and the engine won't go. BTW, if that was the case I should think you would get a check engine light and codes indicating problems with the O2 sensors or some indication the exaust had a problem.
On a 1996 or newer, there would likely be a code set if the catalyst efficiency were low, but on the 1993, there is not an O2 sensor after the catalytic converter, so there probably would not be an indication of a problem. The other suggestions are certainly worth checking into.
wwepatriot could try pulling the O2 sensors temporarily and if the car now runs fine (although loudly) then there is an exhaust retriction somewhere after the O2 sensors, and catalytic converter would be a logical place to begin.
-Rod
On a 1996 or newer, there would likely be a code set if the catalyst efficiency were low, but on the 1993, there is not an O2 sensor after the catalytic converter, so there probably would not be an indication of a problem. The other suggestions are certainly worth checking into.
wwepatriot could try pulling the O2 sensors temporarily and if the car now runs fine (although loudly) then there is an exhaust retriction somewhere after the O2 sensors, and catalytic converter would be a logical place to begin.
-Rod
wwepatriot
04-21-2007, 10:30 PM
Problem has been solved, what happen is the Transmission filter had collected shavings that had clogged it up. Magnet inside the pan was full to.
Although my question is why was their so much shavings in the filter and on the magnet if the filter was changed and magnet was cleaned just 5 months earlier? Maybe 6.
Their has only been about 5,000 miles put on the car since that time period. Maybe even less.
Although my question is why was their so much shavings in the filter and on the magnet if the filter was changed and magnet was cleaned just 5 months earlier? Maybe 6.
Their has only been about 5,000 miles put on the car since that time period. Maybe even less.
Huney1
04-22-2007, 08:09 AM
"why was their so much shavings in the filter and on the magnet if the filter was changed and magnet was cleaned just 5 months earlier? Maybe 6."
Turns out I was right about the filter being clogged and glad you found the problem. Now, on to the shavings . . . I notice the word IF here; *IF* the filter & magnet was cleaned five or six months ago. Did you actually see the job done or did someone tell you it had been done? I doubt someone trying to sell you the car would furnish you with adverse info realtive to finding the shavings, but perhaps they told you the tranny fluid and filter had been changed. Really not an issue because the prevaling problem is in the present here and now.
The shavings indicate there is a serious wear problem with one of the "hard parts" and the only way to diagnose it is to pull the tranny and look inside and in all probability it will require a rebuild. For goodness sakes, do not keep on driving it because the shavings are going to cause serious wear to parts that may be reusable. As to exactly what part is wearing causing the shavings? Your guess is as good as mine but a rebuild runs around $1500. assuming you have no damage to the hard parts, gears, shafts, etc. If you replace hard parts it could go as high as $2,500. <GULP!> Another alternative is look for a good used one in a salvage yard but, at best, that is a, roll-the-dice gamble.
Anyway, the many shavings cofirm serious hard part wear so it will be more than $1500. Sorry if I went in a circle there but I take medication that causes me not to think straight and I get confused easily. However, with that in mind, even if it wasn't good news and an easy fix, we hope we helped you.
Like to ask a favor please. When you find out exactly what the problem is and what hard part(s) were wearing, report back and let us know because it may help someone with a similar problem down the road.
Turns out I was right about the filter being clogged and glad you found the problem. Now, on to the shavings . . . I notice the word IF here; *IF* the filter & magnet was cleaned five or six months ago. Did you actually see the job done or did someone tell you it had been done? I doubt someone trying to sell you the car would furnish you with adverse info realtive to finding the shavings, but perhaps they told you the tranny fluid and filter had been changed. Really not an issue because the prevaling problem is in the present here and now.
The shavings indicate there is a serious wear problem with one of the "hard parts" and the only way to diagnose it is to pull the tranny and look inside and in all probability it will require a rebuild. For goodness sakes, do not keep on driving it because the shavings are going to cause serious wear to parts that may be reusable. As to exactly what part is wearing causing the shavings? Your guess is as good as mine but a rebuild runs around $1500. assuming you have no damage to the hard parts, gears, shafts, etc. If you replace hard parts it could go as high as $2,500. <GULP!> Another alternative is look for a good used one in a salvage yard but, at best, that is a, roll-the-dice gamble.
Anyway, the many shavings cofirm serious hard part wear so it will be more than $1500. Sorry if I went in a circle there but I take medication that causes me not to think straight and I get confused easily. However, with that in mind, even if it wasn't good news and an easy fix, we hope we helped you.
Like to ask a favor please. When you find out exactly what the problem is and what hard part(s) were wearing, report back and let us know because it may help someone with a similar problem down the road.
wwepatriot
04-22-2007, 11:11 AM
"why was their so much shavings in the filter and on the magnet if the filter was changed and magnet was cleaned just 5 months earlier? Maybe 6."
Turns out I was right about the filter being clogged and glad you found the problem. Now, on to the shavings . . . I notice the word IF here; *IF* the filter & magnet was cleaned five or six months ago. Did you actually see the job done or did someone tell you it had been done? I doubt someone trying to sell you the car would furnish you with adverse info realtive to finding the shavings, but perhaps they told you the tranny fluid and filter had been changed. Really not an issue because the prevaling problem is in the present here and now.
The shavings indicate there is a serious wear problem with one of the "hard parts" and the only way to diagnose it is to pull the tranny and look inside and in all probability it will require a rebuild. For goodness sakes, do not keep on driving it because the shavings are going to cause serious wear to parts that may be reusable. As to exactly what part is wearing causing the shavings? Your guess is as good as mine but a rebuild runs around $1500. assuming you have no damage to the hard parts, gears, shafts, etc. If you replace hard parts it could go as high as $2,500. <GULP!> Another alternative is look for a good used one in a salvage yard but, at best, that is a, roll-the-dice gamble.
Anyway, the many shavings cofirm serious hard part wear so it will be more than $1500. Sorry if I went in a circle there but I take medication that causes me not to think straight and I get confused easily. However, with that in mind, even if it wasn't good news and an easy fix, we hope we helped you.
Like to ask a favor please. When you find out exactly what the problem is and what hard part(s) were wearing, report back and let us know because it may help someone with a similar problem down the road.
Yeah, me and a guy I know changed it out and everything. At this point it was the first time in at least a year it was changed. Since it was about a year ago from then I had bought the car.
Turns out I was right about the filter being clogged and glad you found the problem. Now, on to the shavings . . . I notice the word IF here; *IF* the filter & magnet was cleaned five or six months ago. Did you actually see the job done or did someone tell you it had been done? I doubt someone trying to sell you the car would furnish you with adverse info realtive to finding the shavings, but perhaps they told you the tranny fluid and filter had been changed. Really not an issue because the prevaling problem is in the present here and now.
The shavings indicate there is a serious wear problem with one of the "hard parts" and the only way to diagnose it is to pull the tranny and look inside and in all probability it will require a rebuild. For goodness sakes, do not keep on driving it because the shavings are going to cause serious wear to parts that may be reusable. As to exactly what part is wearing causing the shavings? Your guess is as good as mine but a rebuild runs around $1500. assuming you have no damage to the hard parts, gears, shafts, etc. If you replace hard parts it could go as high as $2,500. <GULP!> Another alternative is look for a good used one in a salvage yard but, at best, that is a, roll-the-dice gamble.
Anyway, the many shavings cofirm serious hard part wear so it will be more than $1500. Sorry if I went in a circle there but I take medication that causes me not to think straight and I get confused easily. However, with that in mind, even if it wasn't good news and an easy fix, we hope we helped you.
Like to ask a favor please. When you find out exactly what the problem is and what hard part(s) were wearing, report back and let us know because it may help someone with a similar problem down the road.
Yeah, me and a guy I know changed it out and everything. At this point it was the first time in at least a year it was changed. Since it was about a year ago from then I had bought the car.
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