1996 Taurus AX4N Tranny Problems

[Dave P]

1996 Taurus 3.0L w/ AX4N (4F50N) 4 spd Transaxle, 108,000 miles:

Transmission disengages at vehicle stop, needs to be taken out of gear and put back in to engage.

Transmission shifts smoothly at all other times, once in motion.
I know this can be common with the AX4S but this is the AX4N and I didn't think this had the "aluminum piston" issues.

Any ideas?? Thanks

[robz84monte]

first off check trans fluid level and condition and if there is any question, change it. I did this to a 97 taurus with an axod trans and it fixed the problem. BTW there is a TSB on this problem. if you want it let me know and I'll get it to you. Hoped that helped

[Dave P]

Robz: I will try that, the person before me had it "power-flushed" and it seemed to help for a few weeks. I think I will try a full ATF/Filter change using factory original AT Oil. I also have heard others say that this problem only exists in "OD" - not in "D", I think I will test this theory tonight. Not sure if I have a Tranny cooler but, if I do, I will back flush that as well. I picked this car up for $900 because my daughter is getting her license, 108,000 on 3.0L Vulcan, w/new tires & brakes, has had almost everything else replaced. Body/interior is excellent -have to clean interior again though (hint; don't keep the "Gunk upolstery cleaner" next to the "Gunk Engine Brite"-the cans look the same!) do they make enough Frebreeze??

[Dave P]

Well still no luck, anyone have any other ideas??

[Karros]

I have roughhly the same problem. Sometimes when I stop it slides out of gear. Then it kicks back in.If I come slowly to a stop it won't slide out of gear. Sometimes I have to rev up the engine a little bit to kick back in. Otherwise the trans is perfect. Been doing this for three years. No better or worse. Would love to cure it though. Any Ideas??

[panchoman]

my dad had a 94 Taurus and my aunt has a 96 we had our taurus for 5 years and went through 2 trannys and my aunt has gone through 2 as well ....a mechanic said tauruses have very bad trannys and theres nothing to do but get a whole new one....put us back a few bucks but the car ran smoothly....when the tranny messed up it did the same things we had to take it out of gear and put it back in and sometimes not even that helped..u should get a new one...good luck

[ChrisI101]

I am having similar problems - 96 Taurus, feels like the brakes are grabbing when going down hill, the check engine light was on, had the mech check out the engine and code P0761 - SS3 Trans. Shift Problem was discovered. My brother in law is checking this out (he is a Ford Mech) but till he gets back to me does anyone know what it means. He told me to get Trans oil changed quick like a bunny so I did, my mech told me he found metal pieces on the small magnet that is in the pan. Does anyone know how serious this is?? He did not seem to know this. Thanks for your help.

[vvvracing]

I have a 1996 taurus with the 3.0 and it has an AXOD trans in it that has taken a crap. I have a rebuilt AX4N trans and want to know if I can swap out the AXOD for the upgraded AX4N. What differences are there? Things I can change? Thank you so much for your help.

[dynopaul]

Your 1-2 shift valve in your valveboby is stuck. Tranny must be removed from car and valvebody fixed or replaced. It would be cheaper to fix it but you must know what you are doing. The 1-2 shift valve bore must be reamed to accomidate oversized valve availiable from Sonnax I think. http://sonnax.com

Also, if you replace you valvebody, there is a stamped code on valvebody and MUST be replaced with exactely same code with NO exceptions or you will create more problems than you are willing to deal with and don't forget to clear any codes in you computer after you fix your transmission.