1998 Conti Burns lean and has hesitation during certain powerband

[chuckneste]

I bought another conti 1998 with 98 K on it. I have a good hesitation during certain powerbands and if you jump on it it goes away and tranny shifts fine. I replaced all plugs and found they were all white tipped / lean burn. A few coils been changed and no codes. Any thoughts? I cleaned the MAF sensor . Gas Mileage appears to be fine. Any thoughts?

Chuck

[chuckneste]

I have done the following

Cleaned EGR valve (already was clean)
Replaced Spark plugs
tested all coils (replaced one at a time)
Used seafoam in oil /gas
Used lucas injector cleaner
Replaced MAF
Replaced TPS
Had tranny professionally flushed w/ Mercon 5
flushed coolant system /replaced thermostat
Car still hesitates the same. May be torque converter /tranny issue. \

Any thoughts?

[chuckneste]

It appears to be a tranny issue. This is what I also determined ...


After replacing my TPS sensor, my check ride and check steering assist came on. I also notice if I left the car in neutral and reved the engine, it would hang around the higest rpm and would not come down until you turned the car off. I replaced the sensor again with the old one and the message and issue went away I then returned and replaced the TPS again without issues.

[chuckneste]

It's official, The ugly bastard showed his head. P1744 / Tranny Lockup issue.

Stay tunned for the fix. Part is 30 bucks if it's that
P0741 OR P1744 TCC Solenoid

new 11/25/2003
Article No.
98-6-5 TRANSAXLE - AX4N - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0741 OR P1744 STORED IN MEMORY

Publication Date: MARCH 30, 1998

FORD: 1996-98 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1996-98 CONTINENTAL, SABLE



ISSUE:
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0741 or P1744 may be stored in memory. This may be caused by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) unsuccessfully attempting to engage the torque converter clutch 5 consecutive times. The torque converter clutch may not engage if one or more of the following conditions exist:

Stuck converter regulator valve
Stuck solenoid regulator valve
Stuck bypass clutch control valve
Worn pump shaft or damaged seals
Incorrect Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid
Incorrect or damaged internal wiring harness
Incorrect gear ratio

ACTION:
Refer to the following Diagnostic Procedure for details.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
For DTC P0741 and P1744, perform Pinpoint Test "C" and refer to Diagnostic Routines 240 and 340 in Section 07-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable or Continental Service Manual.
Remove the transaxle lower pan and check for excessive debris in the pan.
Remove the main control cover and main control.
Check for pump shaft wear or damaged seals.
Inspect the main control for a stuck converter regulator valve and solenoid regulator valve located in bore "A." Refer to Figure 1.
Inspect the bypass clutch control valve located in bore "D." Refer to Figure 1.
Clean the main control and make sure all valves move freely. Do not sand, stone, or file valves or bores in the main control.
Inspect for the correct TCC solenoid. Refer to TSB 97-13-12 for TCC resistance. TCC resistance should be 0.98-1.6 ohms for 1996-97 Taurus/Sable and 1996 Continental; 13-24 ohms for 1998 Taurus/Sable and 1997-98 Continental.
If the transaxle has been exchanged, refer to TSB 97-23-7 .
To verify the concern has been corrected, the drive cycle must be done at least 5 times. The PCM will not set a torque converter clutch code until it fails to engage 5 consecutive times.