94 GL tranny trouble

[xmasbaby63]

I have a 94 GL, 3.0V6, 150k, which I believe has the AX4S transmission. I recently had trouble with the transmission shifting. It moves in first, then when it should switch to second, it loses power, appearing to go into neutral. Giving it gas increases the RPMs with no power to the drivetrain. When I let the RPMs drop, it goes back into first and can move.
I retrieved the OBD codes usning a voltmeter and got a 111 hard code and a 656 in the continuous memory. From other sites, 656 tells me "Torque converter clutch continuous slip error".
Ford won't look at it since they don't have the manuals; they'd refer me to an outside tranny shop. A local auto parts store provided some help, saying that it is a module (about $40) inside the trans housing, which entails about $250-$300 installation cost.
Is this diagnosis conceivable, and, is this a job that someone with fairly good mechanical skills can do themselves? How much work is it to drop the tranny on a FWD?
Thanks, any help would be most appreciated.

[TaurusKing]

111 is a system pass code, the 656 must be in the continous memory????? Indicates maybe some sort of issue with the torque clutch converter solenoid or a myriad of other possibilities,, the ax4s is a known troublemaker, updated parts make the rebuilts more likely to perform reliably, unfortunately it'll cost big dollars to get it replaced... find yourself a RELIABLE trans shop to look at it, my own experience has been the little family-owned shop is the best,, yours may vary... I wouldn't recommend dropping the trans yourself unless you have experience with this type of repair, can get complicated quickly, getting hit in the head or a crushed chest is no fun, you need the right equipment and know-how...

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by xmasbaby63

I have a 94 GL, 3.0V6, 150k, which I believe has the AX4S transmission. I recently had trouble with the transmission shifting. It moves in first, then when it should switch to second, it loses power, appearing to go into neutral. Giving it gas increases the RPMs with no power to the drivetrain. When I let the RPMs drop, it goes back into first and can move.
I retrieved the OBD codes usning a voltmeter and got a 111 hard code and a 656 in the continuous memory. From other sites, 656 tells me "Torque converter clutch continuous slip error".
Ford won't look at it since they don't have the manuals; they'd refer me to an outside tranny shop. A local auto parts store provided some help, saying that it is a module (about $40) inside the trans housing, which entails about $250-$300 installation cost.
Is this diagnosis conceivable, and, is this a job that someone with fairly good mechanical skills can do themselves? How much work is it to drop the tranny on a FWD?
Thanks, any help would be most appreciated.

Them parts store people are not trained techs or transmission people.
Just parts sellers.
As said find a good repair shop.
It sounds like you have major problems.
Check around Ask around
Word of mouth.
Family friends coworkers neighbors business people and delivery people.
Mailmen and parcel delivery people get around and notice a lot of stuff.
Even a good parts house knows what shops are good and not good.
Chamber of commerce and better business bureau and city hall.
If you find a good referral to a repair shop go look them over and talk to them.
Look for a clean looking busy place with nice people running it.
Ask a few questions and ask about their qualifications and training.
Not all places have trained tech/mechanics.
If they do not find a place that does.
Even all dealers do not have all trained techs/mechanics.