Took it to a dealer, they pulled the code but basically told me nothing for $75. . .
Throwing P1381- Overactive variable cam timing (VCT). Apparently in 1998 (my car's birthdate!) Ford started using this VCT to control emissions and improve fuel economy, but sometimes it throws this code when there's just contaminated oil and no mechanical problems.
Here's an article on it:
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/a...81/ai_88248647
The mechanic said that it could be a failing transmission is causing the car to throw this code, but there weren't any other codes either, so "without tearing the transmission apart, we couldn't see what is causing the problem." I guess my transmission has no "pan", preventing them from taking a look inside, so this is all they have to go on.
I know the transmission fluid was burnt when I had it changed, but I'm not sure if there was any debris (metal pieces perhaps?) when they changed it. If there wasn't, could this be a bad VCT solenoid? That would be much easier to fix than a clutch or seal in the transmission.
Robin- not sure about the not-getting-enough-power-thing, maybe I should get that checked out.
Thanks!