2001 windstar transmission problem

I have a 2001 windstar lx 3.8L,my daughter was driving it for about a year,no problems but alternator ,some time ago, that still works. New problem, she was out of town at a farm, tranny would not drive they had to add trans fluid,not sure what they put in or how much it got her back to town .I got an additive to make any trans oil slippery as mercon v. problem still is when it is first started or within five min. trans works fine no slipping no banging nothing lots of power, then when it warms up it will not move in any gear or reverse.I shut it off a couple min. and all is fine for a while again.Oil does not look or smell burnt and I see no metal in it,I should maybe drain some out ,as it is a bit high tho.If trans is shot what size of metric threaded rod/and how long is needed to lower subframe to floor,I think 12 ounce has an answer on that please as I'm thinking of doing the job myself.I,m mechanically inclined but frustrated,lol. thank you for any help i can get.

well the first thing I'd be doing is doing a full exchange of fluid with mercon V along with a new filter. I know there are a lot of people who claim "oh that's the same fluid -- it'll be fine" but there are always problems. For the Ford trannys I'd do exactly what for suggests. Make sure you drain the whole thing using the procedure in the FSM (or similar). It'll take about 12 quarts IIRC. The dipstick should read to the very top of the hash marks and probably a bit more. It seems the mark may in fact be a bit low for an ideal amount of fluid. Once that service is done, see how things are. I'd hate it to be a full re and re but it may be.

Keep us posted.

P

doozer,
You may want to take a look at this thread in a different forum site
http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-windstar/38060-03-windstar-transmisson-issue-ax4n.html

If the pump is not pumping fluid.......the fluid will check quite high when you check it following the correct procedure.......vehicle on level ground.....motor warm......motor running at idle.....transmission in PARK.
When the pump is running.....the fluid level should drop due to the fact that it is being pumped through the system.......