Transaxle Warning Light

[Wisgolfer]

I have a 2000 LX with about 118K on the odometer. A new problem cropped up this week. After driving about 20 miles, the tranny warning light starts flashing. Stop the car, shut off the ignition for any length of time, and the light will not come back on until I've driven about 20 miles again. I have a short 10 miles commute to work, so I don't see it on every trip.

Temperature or speed doesn't seem to be a factor, only distance. Fluid level is fine, as is color. Bought the car used at about 60K, have not had the tranny serviced since then. Whether the light is flashing or not, I have no operational problems. It shifts fine, at the right points, no shudder, shake, or other problems are noticable

Before I throw myself at the mercy of a mechanic who needs to make a couple of payments on his boat, any ideas?

Thanks!

[Gary1234]

There are about 20 codes the computer can store that relate to the transaxel ... you need get a scan and report any codes that relate to your situation before anyone can make a guess at the source of your problem.

[Wisgolfer]

2 questions:

1) Does it have to be scanned when the light is flashing, or are the codes stored?
B) Should I have the fluid and filter changed just for the helluvit?

[Huney1]

Yes it stores the codes and Advance Auto will pull them for free. Ford says change the tranny fluid & filter every 30K miles so you're way overdue. A "change' only gets out about 6 qts and a "flush" gets out all 16 qts and replaces it with new fluid so the flush is the way to go and Ford dealer here charges a hundred bucks for flushing. It's more expensive but insist they use Mercon V, it's part synthetic and way better than Mercon or Mercon III. No sweat because you can use Mercon V where it calls for Mercon or Mercon III, but but not vice versa.

When they change the fluid ask them to add a jug of Lucas tranny fix suppose to work wonders. Runs about $10. at parts stores but if it works it's well worth it. http://www.lucasoil.com/testimonials/index.sd?catid=15

[Wisgolfer]

thanks for all the information!

uh - Lucas Oil is not related to the British Lucas Electric (aka Prince of Darkness), is it?

[shorod]

There are some transmission codes that will cause a transaxle check light, but will not be read out as a powertrain code. I have yet to hear of a auto parts store that has a scan tool capable of reading the transaxle codes. However, some of the transaxle codes will be coded as a powertrain code and can be read by the consumer grade scan tools. And, yes, the code will be stored, even if the light is not on at the moment. After a certain cycle of no instances of the code though, it can clear out, but that requires something like 50 successful drive cycles.

So, if you stop by a chain auto parts store and they scan the computer, but no codes are displayed, you'll probably need to swing by the dealer or a transmission shop to get the tranny codes.

-Rod

[Huney1]

'Preciate the info Rod. I thought all codes went in the same CEL memory bank.

uh - Lucas Oil is not related to the British Lucas Electric (aka Prince of Darkness), is it?
You lost me on that one.

[Wisgolfer]

re Lucas Electric - "Prince of Darkness": If you haven't had the distinct pleasure of working on old British cars and motorcycles, you are unfamiliar with the world's worst electrical designs, components and wiring. The use of such great ideas as braided cotton wire insulation, which allowed moisture to wick directly to all the connections, has made them a legend in restoration circles. Jokes such as this are both funny and true: "What are the correct markings on a Lucas Headlight Switch? Answer: DIM / FLICKER / OFF"

[Huney1]

Now I remember. When I was in Germany 1961 to 63 I had a buddy with an MGB I think it was and he said the thing was a positive ground. Another guy had some kild of longer car, aston martin?, and it was positive ground to. I had a VW then inherited some money and went to Zuffenhausen and picked up a brand new Porsche Super 75, last year they made the upside down spoon. What a car, what a car. Lay that baby flat out on the Autobahn wide open and ler 'er dig.