2003 windstar transmission shutter

[MiDnIgHt RuMbLeR]

Just started to notice in the last two weeks that when my tranny gets into the end of the gear going through 1st to 4th, there seems to be a shutter at the end of each cycle.

I have put some Lucas in the tranny with no results and the problem seems to be getting worse.

I have never in my life had any problems with transmissions so what might this problem be?

4.2 litre engine with 137,000km's, original transmission

[franger]

i have a 98 with 186,000 km and noticed the same symptoms at approx 100,000 and on this boards recommendation installed a tranny cooler and changed the oil/filter (mercon 5) every 2 yrs. problem went away and been problem free since

[wiswind]

I am not aware of a 4.2L engine in a FORD windstar..though I could be wrong...as I am not familiar with the newer model years (mine is a '96).....and your profile only lists a 1990 Silverado, so I don't know what the "common" problems with that vehicle would be.
Are you sure that it is a 4.2L motor?.......in a windstar?

The windstar, like most minivans, is prone to develop problems with the transmission....because this vehicle is built on a car platform.
The best advice that I can think of (for most vehicles) is to change the transmission fluid AT LEAST as often as it is listed in the owner's manual for your vehicle.

Years ago.....we never had to worry about transmission fluid unless we were doing something out of the ordinary......heavy duty towing, racing, snow plowing, etc.
That is NO LONGER TRUE.......the fluid breaks down....with HEAT being the major factor.
Also......back when we did not normally have to change the transmission fluid......there was a plug in the torque converter.......to drain the fluid out of there (up to 1/2 of the fluid in the system).
NOW, when you MUST change the fluid regularly in normal service.....there is NO plug in the torque converter on many vehicles, so you have to do a fluid "exchange" to flush out the old fluid from the torque converter.

The FORD windstar uses a ATF that is specified as Mercon V for ALL years.....this is an update from what was communicated up to last year.......and what is printed in our older model year owner's manuals.
So....Mercon V for the windstar.....all engines, all years.

If you have a General Motors product.....the GM specification will be a Dexron.......look in your owner's manual....or look it up online.
If this is your 1990 GM product, there have been several changes to the Dexron ATF that is out there......and you will need to research as to if the new Dexron that just came out is truely backward compatible to your particular vehicle.

ALSO.....take note that with the new Dexron specification......the FORD Mercon V (and other Mercon flavors) and the General Motors Dexron lines have gone their separate ways........Mercon/Dexron III duel rated fluids are no longer licensed......and the new specifications are different enough....that ....'at this time' there is not 1 fluid that meets BOTH the new Mercon specifications AND the new Dexron specification.

FORD issues the license for Mercon fluids (they no longer license Mercon....just Mercon V, SP, etc)
GM issues the licenses for Dexron fluids (I think that they no longer license Dexron III and older)

So....GM......follow the Dexron information from GF
Ford....follow the Mercon (Mercon V for all windstars) information from FORD.

A fluid change is NO promise to solve the problem, but it is the easiest and cheapest in most cases....and very often is the cause of the problem......however....if something is worn in there...........

An additive is NOT a substitute for changing the fluid out.
A drop of the transmission pan will get you about 1/2 of the total fluid capacity at BEST.....which is why I stress the fluid exchange.

[Winny1234]

Hey Wiswind I have a 99 windstar 3.8 liter and I also have shuddering occuring when the torque converter locks up, do you think I can change a solenoid and correct this problem I believe on the valve body there is a solenoid under the pressure control solenoid that allows lock up to occur can anyone tell me the name of the solenoid or is it called a TCC solenoid. I want to change out the solenoid first then if that doesnt help I wanna pull the tranny and change the torque converter. The problem has been occuring for about 3 years and hasnt got worse or better in that time. I change my transmission fluid every year with mobil1 mercon V. The transmissions shifts perfect and doesnt have any other problems.

[wiswind]

I am not familiar with internal repairs of the transmission.
Your keeping the fluid changed regularly is the biggest thing one can do to help the transmission last.
The next would be an auxillary cooler and making sure that the radiator fans are working properly.....they should come on and STAY on whenever the A/C is on.....unless is is real cold out.......like well below freezing.

There are 3 shift solenoids and a torque converter clutch actuator.
I seem to remember reading that the torque converter clutch actuator requires a major disassembly to get to.

The 3 shift and torque converter solenoids are behind the pump/valve body cover which is the big cover that is on the driver's side....facing out.
This would be the electrical part of the solenoids......the actual workings are on the shaft that goes from each solenoid.....deep into the transaxle.

One thing that you might try is to add a little more fluid......if the level is even slightly low.....it can cause air to be drawn up into the pump....particularly when you go around a corner.
Also....when changing the filter inside the bottom pan......the gasket tends to stay stuck in the bore......and the new filter does not seat correctly.....another place that air can be drawn in.

Another thing that I have done is to add 6 to 9 ounces of auto-rx to the fluid 1000 to 1500 miles before I change it......which helps to clean the transaxle.

[hoofarted]

While I (and most other people) are not fond of any kinds of engine or tranny additives, this product has worked for me lots of times.

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/t...dder_fixx.html

I used to rebuild transmissions up to about 2000 and used this in countless FORD transmissions. I can't promise that it will fix your shudder, but there is a good chance you will at least see an improvement, and I have never experienced or even heard of a negative result after using it. I suggest using it right after you change the fluid.

Last year I took my 2002 Windstar to a dealer for several problems including a TCC shudder and a transmission fluid exchange and was suprised when the service manager recommended this product. He said they use this stuff regularly. Apparently still to this day Lubeguard knows more about torque converter clutches than FORD...

[95_sportage]

Midnight Rumbler,

I have a 2003 Windstar that has the 3.8 engine. I experienced a similar transmission problem last year. I wasn't keen on cutting/removing lines and flushing it, and what 90% cured the problem for me was:

• drop transmission pan
• drain out all the fluid you can (let it run out as you remove the pan)
• replace filter
• clean pan and install a drain plug (Autozone, $12)
• re-install and fill with fresh MerconV fluid
• after about 2000 miles, use drain plug to drain another approx 6 qts
• top up with fresh MerconV

This is not the most efficient way to replace the fluid, but it's been 14K miles since that and the shudder has essentially vanished. I plan to (partially) drain it and add fresh fluid again before our road trip this October. I figure after 4 of these, I will have 93% of the fluid changed.
I'm not the first to do or suggest this - but it saves a lot of time and $ - as long as you don't mind discarding new fluid, since each time you drain 6 qts, you're draining an increasing percentage of near-new fluid. But at $3/qt, its not going to break the bank.

Another suggestion for improvin longevity: turn off the overdrive when driving in hilly terrain. Repeatedly up/down shifting is not good for it.

Good luck.

[Ed_Strong]

In the long run it pays more to do a tranny fluid flush at every 30K miles with a filter replacement...
Using your 2000 miles-6 quarts formula, assuming you put 10K miles a year, that would amount to 30 quarts of tranny fluid. At 30K miles you would've wasted 90 quarts of fluid as opossed to 14 quarts (12.25 quarts actually) if you were to change the fluid at every 30K miles.

90 x $3 = $270 a year
at 3 years or 30K miles it jumps to $810

14 x $3 = $42 every 3 years

Its really not difficult to do a fluid flush and it pays up a lot better in the long run.