Trans trouble far from home

[kevink1955]

Hi

I am 800 miles from home and have a tranny problem with my 96 Windstar with a 3.8. On the way here I was feeling something like I was runing over bad pavement joints or rumble strips. I would feel 3 or 4 fast vibrations and the tach would jump up about 150 RPM from where it was. This happened at about 60 MPH and above on flat road where I would not expect the convertor lockup or overdrive to disingage. About 2 seconds after the vibration the tach would return to normal and it would be fine for anywhere from 1 to 15 min then would do it again.

Now that I am at my destination I find it will do it at lower speeds also. I do not have any check engine lights or flashing OD light. Fluid is not burnt and is full. I did take it for a short run around town with the OD locked out and it did not seem to do it but I will need a longer drive to prove that.

Any Ideas as to what it may be. I do not want to risk the drive home (800 miles) and have it break something internaly. It realy feels like the convertor lockup is being disengaged and than reingaged 2 seconds later.

Thanks

[troy1]

Its hard to say. Pump bearing fail a lot on these trans which will cause a no lockup condition.

[kevink1955]

Update, drove it around town today with OD disabled and as far as I could tell it had no vibration when I put the OD back on the intermitent vibration comes back.

Got it good and hot and checked the fluid again, it did not smell as good as it did cold. It now has a slight burned smell to it. In the morning I am going to try the fluid flush via the remove cooler line and start the engine method. It's the only way I can do it, cannot drop the pan in the hotel parking lot.

If that does not cure it I am going to try to drive it home with the OD disabled. Will kill the gas mileage but it may get me home.

Any other sugestons??

[Embalmer]

I know on my 97 T-Bird, when the trans was having converter clutch lockup issues, a flush with Mercon V cured the issue. It's recommended on the newer transmissions and maybe worth a shot.

[Mama's T-Bird]

Here comes an opinion from way out in left field. This also happened to me about 3 years ago-(97 Windstar-3.8L). First time it happened was on a cold Thanksgiving day, and I thought it was a flat tire. Got out and checked (leaving engine on cause of passengers); then going down the interstate it eventually quit around 5-10 miles later. The next few times it happened I was alone, and pulled over and shut the van off to try and check things out. When I would restart, everything would be O.K. Probably against all advice on this board, I took a grease-needle gun, and greased the boots for the half-shafts. About 1 1/2 years later, took van to dealer for free replacement of coil springs (one broke and both were covered under 10-yr free replacement). Anyway, dealer did full check-out of everything and suggested replacing half-shafts (which I never did). 2 years later, and problem has never resurfaced. Go figure. But, from the way you first described your problem, I would guess it could be something more in the final drive train (from the tranny to the tires), than from the tranny itself. Next time it happens, pull over and shut the van off for a couple of minutes, then start it up and see if it's still happening. I tried going around town with the OD off (read in another forum it was better on the tranny), and my van did not like it at all.

[kevink1955]

Thanks for the ideas so far, keep them coming

Just a thought, since I have almost proven it is the OD and not the convertor clutch does anyone know if the brake switch located on the master cylinder is in anyway connected with the OD or is it only for cruise control. I have not replace this switch but I know it is a problem spot in the Windstar. I did have several times on this trip where the criuse control would not work, if I hit the brakes and then tryed the criuse again it worked.

I could be in criuse and the vibration would still happen so I do not know if I am looking in the right direction. Also when I disable the OD the trans shifts slightly diffrently, since I have never run with the OD disabled before can anyone tell me if this is normal.

Just want to get this thing home (800 miles), if not you may find a blue windstar on the interstate someware between SC and NY with no plates and the previous owner driving a very expensive rental home to NY.

[baumbr]

I had the transmission in my 98 Winnie die on the Washington penninsula, long way from Utah. So I feel your pain.

When you pump out the fluid check for metal debris to rule out any type of clutch, bearing, or other mechanical failure.

At the very worst the tranny will default to limp home mode which limits shifting to 1st and 2nd gears. Very slow going, but hey you'll get an extended vacation.

Stay positive and try to enjoy the adventure.

[kevink1955]

Did the flush/refill/flush via the cooler lines this morning. Will not know if it helped till later today when we take a side trip. Will report back, wish me luck

[kevink1955]

Since the fluid change/flush I have driven it localy about 100 miles with no problems. In the morning I am taking a 3 hour drive in the direction of home, hopefully we wil have no problems. Will update when we take the rest of the 10 hour trip home. Never thought a fluid change would have cured it, thought it was going to be electronic problem.

[uzzo2]

you may also want to throw a quart of lubegard red since you've done the tranny service, these vehicles are bad about torque converter shudder, had the same problem on my 95, changed the fluid,filter and added a quart of the lubegard and haven't had anymore problems. good luck!!!

[kevink1955]

Hi All

Made it home with no problems at all, the flush I did cured the problem. 12 quarts of fluid VS: a trans rebuild, I will take that break anytime. I am sure that the way this thing was vibrating while hunting in and out of OD would have broken something mechanical before long. If the windstar did not have a tach I never would have been able to pinpoint this as a trans problem.

In the next week I am going to drop the pan and replace the fluid and give it another flush, while I am at it the PS fluid stinks so I will do that also.

Thanks for the help.

[Mama's T-Bird]

Kevink 1955---glad to hear everything worked out O.K. Just got the wife a 2002 Ford Taurus Wagon, that we're going to use for trips. Still haven't got used to the downsizing--when we were using the 97 Windstar, we could throw everything in it but the kitchen sink. It's hard to adjust when you lose all that space under the seats and everywhere else.

[Radiatorkid]

Who makes the "lubeguard red", and where do you buy it??

[Embalmer]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

Since the fluid change/flush I have driven it localy about 100 miles with no problems. In the morning I am taking a 3 hour drive in the direction of home, hopefully we wil have no problems. Will update when we take the rest of the 10 hour trip home. Never thought a fluid change would have cured it, thought it was going to be electronic problem.

Who da man???