Very Rare Windstar Transmission Problem

[speedcoder]

Hello all.

I have bought a 1998 Windstar 3.8 Last Month at a small used car dealer.

This is the problem im confronting which is very rare.

Only after driving it for about 15 - 20 minutes the transmission shifts from 1 to 2nd hard and then very hard to thrird gear.

This is where the fun begins. After it starts doing this it will continue until, you turn off the car and start it again. Then the problem will come back again in 15 min more. What ever is causing it to fail and shift gears hard goes away with a car reset. The car is presenting now like 8 different codes which i will have to take not and post back here tomorrow.

I took the car to Amcco transmission which they quote me for 1,816 to rebuilt. I dont think this might be an actually transmission failure or a transmission that needs rebuilt, looks like its more like a sensor, or computer problem.

Another mechanic also think that my torque converter might need replacement. Ok well. How do we explain that when i turn off car and restart it the problem dissapears. We did fluid change also and it dididnt help much. I love this van and really will like to fix it.

I need all the help i can get. Please

[RickMN]

Before you do anything with the transmission, have the Transmission Range Selector checked. This is a known source of problems for Ford. This is kind of like the old neutral safety switches in the old days, but with a twist. It's a switch with resistors in it. The different resistance values tell the computer which gear you're in. When the switch starts to fail, it gives all kinds of erroneous readings which messes up the computer. The fact that it resets on restart is a very good indication that you're dealing with a switch/sensor problem and not a hard transmission problem. If you have a digital multi-meter, you can check this out yourself. If not, have it checked out by a pro who has heard of this problem before.

If you want to do it yourself, buy a subscription to an online service manual for full instructions. Alldata is $25 for a full year, Mitchell is $10 for a week.
http://www.alldatadiy.com/
http://www.eautorepair.net/

[12Ounce]

If you get the transmission codes read, you will know better what to do. Transmission codes are of the Pxxxx format ... BUT are not the emission related engine codes that are read by most scanners ... such as the scanners at AutoZone and the like. You will have to go to a Ford dealer or a tranny shop, most likely, to find such a scanner.

Be sure you get a list of the actual codes ... not a verbalization (word?) by the technician of what he thiinks the "fix" is. Post the codes here and someone will look them up for you.

(If I had to guess one thing based on your listed symptoms ... it would be the temp sensor ... a small two-wire gizmo located under the tranny end cover. But that's a guess! You'll likely know when you get the codes.)

[speedcoder]

P0133
P1000
P1131
P1132
P1512
P1513
P1538
P1744

These are my codes. A local mechanic told me that the first one P0133 "O2 Sensor" is causing other errors. The P1744 he is sudgesting to install a Transmission Oil Cooler. Don't know what to do or who to trust now.

[garync1]

One way to check the range sensor which is located under the airbox on top of the trans. Is to disconnect the air box and move a little out of the way. But not so much where you have to spend a lot of time putting back together because you will need to connect back on test drive. With car in park& running and E brake on. Unplug the range sensor put the air box back together the best you can and drive around the block or up the road a little to see if it will shift normal. If it does not shift normal than most likely its not the problem.. If it does then bingo... But keep in mind to drive smooth don't try to pass any one. Or the trans may act confused. You have to unplug while running or the van won't start..

[garync1]

P1000 OBD-II Monitor Testing Incomplete
P1001 KOER Test Cannot Be Completed
P1039 Vehicle Speed Signal Missing or Improper
P1051 Brake Switch Signal Missing or Improper
P1100 Mass Air Flow Sensor Intermittent
P1101 Mass Air Flow Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1112 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Intermittent
P1116 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor is out of Self-Test Range
P1117 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Intermittent
P1120 Throttle Position Sensor out of range
P1121 Throttle Position Sensor Inconsistent with Mass Air Flow Sensor
P1124 Throttle Position Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1125 Throttle Position Sensor Intermittent
P1127 Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater not on During KOER Test
P1128 Heated Oxygen Sensor Signals reversed
P1129 Heated Oxygen Sensor Signals reversed
P1130 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Adaptive Fuel Limit - Bank No. 1
P1131 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 1
P1132 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Rich - Bank No. 1
P1135 Ignition Switch Signal Missing or Improper
P1137 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 1
P1138 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Rich - Bank No. 1
P1150 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Adaptive Fuel Limit - Bank No. 2
P1151 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 2
P1152 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Rich - Bank No. 2
P1157 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Lean - Bank No. 2
P1158 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch - Sensor Indicates Rich - Bank No. 2
P1220 Series Throttle Control fault
P1224 Throttle Position Sensor B out of Self-Test Range
P1230 Open Power to Fuel Pump circuit
P1231 High Speed Fuel Pump Relay activated
P1232 Low Speed Fuel Pump Primary circuit failure
P1233 Fuel Pump Driver Module off-line
P1234 Fuel Pump Driver Module off-line
P1235 Fuel Pump Control out of range
P1236 Fuel Pump Control out of range
P1237 Fuel Pump Secondary circuit fault
P1238 Fuel Pump Secondary circuit fault
P1250 Lack of Power to FPRC Solenoid
P1260 Theft Detected - Engine Disabled
P1270 Engine RPM or Vehicle Speed Limiter Reached
P1288 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1289 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Signal Greater Than Self-Test Range
P1290 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Signal Less Than Self-Test Range
P1299 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Detected Engine Overheating Condition
P1309 Misfire Detection Monitor not enabled
P1351 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor circuit Input fault
P1352 Ignition Coil A - Primary circuit fault
P1353 Ignition Coil B - Primary circuit fault
P1354 Ignition Coil C - Primary circuit fault
P1355 Ignition Coil D - Primary circuit fault
P1356 Loss of Ignition Diagnostic Module Input to PCM
P1358 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor Signal out of Self-Test Range
P1359 Spark Output circuit fault
P1364 Ignition Coil Primary circuit fault
P1380 VCT Solenoid Valve circuit Short or Open
P1381 Cam Timing Advance is excessive
P1383 Cam Timing Advance is excessive
P1390 Octane Adjust out of Self-Test Range
P1400 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Low Voltage
P1401 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit High Voltage
P1403 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor Hoses Reversed
P1405 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Upstream Hose
P1406 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Downstream Hose
P1407 EGR No Flow Detected
P1408 EGR Flow out of Self-Test Range
P1409? EGR Vacuum Regulator circuit malfunction
P1409? Electronic Vacuum Regulator Control circuit fault
P1410 EGR Barometric Pressure Sensor VREF Voltage
P1411 Secondary Air is not being diverted
P1413 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit Low Voltage
P1414 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit High Voltage
P1442 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit High Voltage
P1443 Evaporative Emission Control System - Vacuum System - Purge Control Solenoid or Purge Control Valve fault
P1444 Purge Flow Sensor circuit Input Low
P1445 Purge Flow Sensor circuit Input High
P1450 Inability of Evaporative Emission Control System to Bleed Fuel Tank
P1451 EVAP Control System Canister Vent Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
P1452 Inability of Evaporative Emission Control System to Bleed Fuel Tank
P1455 Substantial Leak or Blockage in Evaporative Emission Control System
P1460 Wide Open Throttle Air Conditioning Cutoff circuit malfunction
P1461 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor circuit Low Input
P1462 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor circuit high Input
P1463 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor Insufficient Pressure change
P1464 ACCS to PCM High During Self-Test
P1469 Low Air Conditioning Cycling Period
P1473 Fan Secondary High with Fans Off
P1474 Low Fan Control Primary circuit
P1479 High Fan Control Primary circuit
P1480 Fan Secondary Low with Low Fans On
P1481 Fan Secondary Low with High Fans On
P1483 Power to Cooling Fan Exceeded Normal Draw
P1484 Variable Load Control Module Pin 1 Open
P1500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent
P1501 Programmable Speedometer & Odometer Module/Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent circuit-failure
P1502 Invalid or Missing Vehicle Speed Message or Brake Data
P1504 Intake Air Control circuit malfunction
P1505 Idle Air Control System at Adaptive Clip
P1506 Idle Air Control Over Speed Error
P1507 Idle Air Control Under Speed Error
P1512 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed
P1513 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed
P1516 Intake Manifold Runner Control Input Error
P1517 Intake Manifold Runner Control Input Error
P1518 Intake Manifold Runner Control fault - Stuck Open
P1519? Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
P1520? Intake Manifold Runner Control circuit fault
P1519? Intake Manifold Runner Control fault - Stuck Closed
P1520? Intake Manifold Runner Control fault
P1530 Open or Short to A/C Compressor Clutch circuit
P1537 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
P1538 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
P1539 Power to A/C Compressor Clutch circuit Exceeded Normal Current Draw
P1549 Intake Manifold Temperature Valve Vacuum Actuator Connection
P1550 Power Steering Pressure Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1605 PCM Keep Alive Memory Test Error
P1625 Voltage to Vehicle Load Control Module Fan circuit not detected
P1626 Voltage to Vehicle Load Control Module circuit not detected
P1650 Power Steering Pressure Switch out of Self-Test Range
P1651 Power Steering Pressure Switch Input fault
P1700 Transmission system problems
P1701 Reverse Engagement Error
P1702 Transmission system problems
P1703 Brake On/Off Switch out of Self-Test Range
P1704 Transmission system problems
P1705 Manual Lever Position Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1709 Park or Neutral Position Switch out of Self-Test Range
P1710 Transmission system problems
P1711 Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor out of Self-Test Range
P1713
thru
P172 Transmission system problems
P1729 4x4 Low Switch Error
P1740 Transmission system problems
P1741 Torque Converter Clutch Control Error
P1742 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Faulty
P1743 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Faulty
P1744 Torque Converter Clutch System Stuck in Off Position
P1745 Transmission system problems
P1746 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid - Open circuit
P1747 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid - Short circuit
P1749 Electronic Pressure Control Solenoid Failed Low
P1751 Shift Solenoid No. 1 Performance
P1754 Coast Clutch Solenoid circuit malfunction
P1756 Shift Solenoid No. 2 Performance
P1760 Transmission system problems
P1761 Shift Solenoid No. 3 Performance
P1762 Transmission system problems
P1767 Transmission system problems
P1780 Transmission Control Switch circuit is out of Self-Test Range
P1781 4x4 Low Switch is out of Self-Test Range
P1783 Transmission Over-Temperature Condition
P1784 Transmission system problems
P1785 Transmission system problems
P1786 Transmission system problems
P1787 Transmission system problems
P1788 Transmission system problems
P1789 Transmission system problems
P1900 Transmission system problems
Sorry but wanted to post some codes that are at times hard to find..

[speedcoder]

Hey Gary: Thanks... One thing i wanted to note before i do this test is that this only happens after 15 minutes of drive only, not right away. Can you provide me with a little more detailed instructions on how to do it myself. Do i need some towers.?

[wiswind]

P1000 OBDII monitor testing not complete (common if codes have been cleared recently and system has not gone through enough cycles to complete the tests)


P0133 Upstream Oxygen sensor bank 1 circuit slow response

P1131 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 is staying lean
P1132 Upstream oxygen sensor for bank 1 is staying rich

P1512 Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) for bank 1 (rear bank) stuck closed
P1513 IMRC for bank 2 (front bank) stuck closed


P1538 IMRC for bank 2 (front bank) stuck open

P1744 Torque Converter Clutch System Stuck in Off Position

All these codes....and only 1 has to do with the transmission?

I find it hard to believe that all this is truely wrong with this vehicle.

P1000 is NORMAL for anytime that the PCM has been "cleared" or "Reset"....and it can take a good while for it to go away....

BOTH IMRC's stuck closed?......I can see both stuck OPEN....as that is what would happen if you lost vaccum (still vaccum driven in 1998) to the IMRC's....but not closed...... With NO vaccum, they will be stuck OPEN......although they are driven by the same Solenoid.

I am thinking that something else is going on......bad PCM?......or another very likely problem.....a voltage or ground issue.
I would start at the battery.....clean the battery terminals and cable connectors.
MEASURE the battery voltage with a multi-meter.....with the engine OFF.....and with the engine ON.
Should be 12V with the engine OFF....and about 14V with the engine ON.
Now....if that battery is over 5 years old......I would replace it.
Auto-Zone's Duralast Gold has been recommended as a good battery.....and is reasonable in price.
A weak, or defective battery can send you chasing, trying to find a problem....and with the problem happening after 15 minutes of driving.....there is a chance that it has some temperature related issue......and will be hard to see making checks in the driveway.

After you have verified the battery, follow the battery cables to where they connect to the engine....and to the chassis...(YES>>>>the ground is as important as the + terminal).

Is also possible that the alternator is causing the problem.....after heating up........pulling the system voltage down.....
One would think that the battery light would come on on the dashboard.....but who knows?
The Altertator on the Windstar contains the voltage regulator and the diodes....

Sometimes the battery and alternator end up being replaced very soon together.......weak battery creates a extra load on the alternator.....causing the alternator to fail.

The TRS / Neutral Safety switch is a common cause of failure for shift problems with the transmission.....not expensive, and you can replace it yourself.
But....again.....it sounds like a PCM or connection issue with so many codes......and so fast after you clear them all out.

I am sure that RickMN has much experience with voltage / connection issues and could offer some good tips on how to track them down.

[12Ounce]

I suspect someone "cleared" the PCM of codes (just like suggested) to make a sale.

In some states,(Georgia for instance) this is considered illegal. In Georgia, all emission related issues must be corrected before a vehicle is traded. You might want to check with your municipal folks.

[speedcoder]

Well , we where able to remove all the codes but ONE.

P1744 showed up again and the transmission problem didnt go away.

After 15-20 minutes of turning on the car and driving is where the problem of hard shifting occurs. The strange part again is that if i turn off car and start it again it completly goes away for another 15-20, then i comes back...

I there a specific solution to this problem as im sure it has to be something electronic now. Is there a specific part number to buy and replace?

Ive search all internet and everybody seems to have a different solution or idea. Yesterday we changed speed sensor too, didnt work either.

[garync1]

If it ends up being something simple please post back. Others have had this issue and ended up with A rebuilt tranny. Some say the torque converter was going bad and thats about half the cost of the trans. So they go for the full rebuild. With new converter. Thats what I have learned so far because mine will need rebuilding or replaced before too long. Just waiting it out.

[debian4life]

I had symptoms like this with my 1998 Windstar and it turned out to be my Transmission Range Sensor. The total cost for the part and to have local transmission shop to fix was $125. My Windstar would run fine with the engine cold and then the engine heated up it would not shift out of first gear. Hopefully you have this and not some really expensive issue.

[speedcoder]

debian4life When you had the problem, did a restart of the car fix it temporarily? or not? Thank you

[fdunford]

I have not read all of the replies but this sounds like a bad TSS or range switch. This switch located on top of the trans housing that captures PRNDL. Costs about $20-25 collars at Autozone and takes all of 15 minutes to change.

[speedcoder]

Excusse my bad mechanic knowledge but:

What does TSS stand for? Is the range swich something different?

TSS

range switch

What is PRNDL?

Any part numbers or names? Should i buy two parts or is it just one part and it is named differently.?

Super!!!!

Quote:
I have not read all of the replies but this sounds like a bad TSS or range switch. This switch located on top of the trans housing that captures PRNDL. Costs about $20-25 collars at Autozone and takes all of 15 minutes to change.