Transmission Shifting Problem [Expired Topic]

**udderchaos** · 09-06-2006, 09:54 AM

My 98 is shifting wierdly. It will run through all the gears, even though I'm only moving at 30-35 mph. If it wasn't lugging the engine, I'm sure it would be getting excellant mileage. When I am motoring down the highway(45-55mph), and give it the pedal, it doesn't down-shift until it's almost floored. Then once its, shifted, it acts like it can't make up it's mind what gear it wants to be in..... I guess it would be called a shudder... Then when I'm on the interstate, and give it the gas, either the tranny is trying to figure out what's going on, or the engine has a miss. Of course when I take it to the mechanics...you know the rest.....

Thank you in advance for any information, Bill

**84fiero123** · 09-06-2006, 11:20 PM

Check the fluid level first before you take it anywhere. Even being just 1/2 a pint low on fluid will make a trany act funny.

While you have the dip stick out smell the fluid, it should smell clean. If it smells like burnt almonds you probably have some clutches slipping and trany problems.

**udderchaos** · 09-07-2006, 07:09 PM

It's all good. I took it to a transmission shpo and they checked everything(filter, fluid and anything else that would cause this)....nothing out of the ordinary......I even had the filter and fluid changed/purged or what ever it's called. Of course it acted fine for them....I told them to drive it to lunch and stuff, 15+ miles..nothing...figures..!!!!!! EEERRRRRRHHHH God I love turbo 400's/350's...

**84fiero123** · 09-08-2006, 06:39 AM

Intermitent problems are the worst to catch, I would rather pound my balls flat with a 4 LB sledge hammer than hunt down an intermitent, electrical problem.

**udderchaos** · 09-08-2006, 06:47 AM

Well, I don't know about THAT, but, yes this kind of problem is a pain. A mechanic buddy told me it could be a computer problem...great...

**AndyD** · 09-08-2006, 03:23 PM

I recently had a 96 Ford Taurus that did a similar thing, it didn't downshift when I pushed on the gas, at traffic lights I would start in any gear, just not the first, etc. I took it to the Ford dealer, they told me it needs a new transmission, $2500. I then went to a friend of mine who is a used car dealer and he sent me to a quite oily, dirty repair shop in a back alley. They found a broken speed sensor, repaired it in 1 and a half hour for $20.
I would look at the speed sensor, maybe the computer that controls the transmission. Your car is OBD2. Are there any codes? A broken speed sensor does not have to show up on the codes.
Maybge that helps,
Andy

**84fiero123** · 09-09-2006, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by AndyD

I took it to the Ford dealer, they told me it needs a new transmission, $2500. I then went to a friend of mine who is a used car dealer and he sent me to a quite oily, dirty repair shop in a back alley. They found a broken speed sensor, repaired it in 1 and a half hour for $20.
I would look at the speed sensor, maybe the computer that controls the transmission. Your car is OBD2. Are there any codes? A broken speed sensor does not have to show up on the codes.
Maybge that helps,
Andy

I second that idea, some of the best mechanics are not working for dealers. they own their own shops. I love it when I go to the guy that does my inspections, he has to dragsters.

Just because a shop has a dirty floor is no reason to think they don't know what they are doing, quite the contrary most times. They are so buisy they don't have time to clean up.

**udderchaos** · 09-09-2006, 11:18 PM

When the check engine came on, a buddy of mine ran a code check. It was the rear o2 sensor on the passenger side...nothing on the transmission... Today, I took the 98 on a little road trip. When I went to get on the interstate,(from one interstate to another) the tranny didn't want to shift out of third. After a little easing off the accelerator, it fianlly shifted. It didn't do it any more after that. I checked the fluid, and it was right where it has been since the fluid/filter was changed........
I just love my 355/350 turbo...Ain't no body left, but I can diagnose the engine/tranny easier than this computer crap.....I can't hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete on the Sub's computer

**unplugged** · 09-23-2006, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by udderchaos

When the check engine came on, a buddy of mine ran a code check. It was the rear o2 sensor on the passenger side...nothing on the transmission... Today, I took the 98 on a little road trip. When I went to get on the interstate,(from one interstate to another) the tranny didn't want to shift out of third. After a little easing off the accelerator, it fianlly shifted. It didn't do it any more after that. I checked the fluid, and it was right where it has been since the fluid/filter was changed........
I just love my 355/350 turbo...Ain't no body left, but I can diagnose the engine/tranny easier than this computer crap.....I can't hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete on the Sub's computer

It could be a PCM (powertrain control module) issue, or maybe a fluid pressure problem. The pump may be going out, or some problem with the valve body.

A really good transmission shop uses a transmission dyno to keep the guess work out of tranny overhauls, but any good shop should have a pressure gauge to check various pressures that can help pinpoint trouble.

Here is a great article on tranny diagnois at About.com