transmission takes too long to shift

[musketb]

I have a 95 windstar, that I just put a used tranny in. It does shift into all the gears, but it waits way to long to shift. I had a check engine light, that was caused by the VSS. My question is, would the VSS cause the tranny to run too high into the RPM's before shifting?

[tomj22]

Yes it will. The vehical speed sensor (VSS) coordinates the relationship between the engine and transmission. It's a bear to get at. I just bought one at Advanced Auto for $19.00 with tax. I am about to put it in. It is on top of the tranny on the rear passenger side. Have to drop exhaust pipe and maybe rear of sub fram to change.

[CoachKarl]

I concur. It's hard to get at. It should have an aluminum heat shield over it, to protect it from the exhaust heat. Best way at it is by pulling off the winshield wipers/plastic deck, like you would to change the plugs, and just keep on digging. I didn't know what it was for though. That's thing tells the (computer to tell the) transmission when to shift?

[musketb]

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure if that was the problem. I just replaced the tranny, and had to take the sensor out of the old one, because the tranny I put in, the sensor was missing the pins. My old sensor was also broken, or melted, but I went ahead and used it anyway. Now I am wishing I hadn't. I guess I will just dig back into it this weekend. Thanks again.

[musketb]

Well, that doesn't seem to have been the problem. I replaced the VSS, and it still does not shift at the right points. The down shifts are also harsh. My wife said she is tired of messing with the "piece of $&*t ford" and is just going to drive it until it blows up. I will never buy another Ford, at least not a front drive one.

[ModMech]

Did you disconnect the battery after you replaced the VSS?

There is a decent chance that will help.

[musketb]

Yes, I did disconnect the battery. I also cleared the ode with the scanner. I called a tranny shop, and they confirmed my suspicions that I have a pinched or broken wire to the VSS. So, I guess it's back to the garage for me. I am only going to lower the subframe one more time and that's it.

[tomj22]

Has the VSS check engine light come back on since installing new one? I thought if there was any problem at all ( pinched wires or what ever) with VSS that the CEL would come back on. Mine has not but I still have the tranny problem. Would be interesting to know the results when fixed. Thanks

[musketb]

Yes, the engine light is still coming on, showing a faulty VSS. I will be looking at it again this weekend. I will let you know.