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Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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oldpops
Novice
Oct 11, 2020, 6:18 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1695 views)
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Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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Hi, we have a 2004 Ford Freestar (3.9L motor, AX4N transmission) that has over 300,000 miles. The van had it's tranny rebuilt about 2-1/2 years ago so the 2 year warranty is over. The problem now is the van shifts great when cold, but after warming up, it occasionally shifts hard going from 1st to 2nd gear. The tranny shop said it needs another rebuild but my wife and I are seniors on a fixed income and can't afford that. Besides, I know these Ford vans are infamous for the hard 1st to 2nd shift when warm. What I don't know is what is the solution. Some say to check the transmission wiring harness and others say to change the speed sensors (VSS & TSS). And where are these sensors & wiring harness located anyway. Any and all help is appreciated!!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 11, 2020, 7:30 PM
Post #2 of 5
(1687 views)
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Re: Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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You can't afford the rebuild so that makes the diagnosis wrong?
I tend to think he was right but our trans specialist (gsferraro) will be along when he has time to give his opinion.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 11, 2020, 9:56 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1673 views)
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Re: Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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oldpops, do also wait for "gsferraro" if this is just a wire/plug or stupid something can go longer. OMG, face it @ 300,000 THOUSAND MILES what on earth do you expect out of the thing in general if trans was guaranteed forever what about the whole rest of this thing went that far too?
Really - this and you are NOT alone with the $Rock and a hard place at the miles any one more thing this isn't worth it anymore IMO do what you wish is just the common sense of it.
BTW "fixed" income is anyone with trillion$ or less there are limits for anyone.
Cost of this would have you in something new about now maybe do some math with your budget how you approach having a vehicle at all YOU SAID SENIOR CITIZEN - I hear you in the same game!
Tom
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oldpops
Novice
Oct 12, 2020, 2:25 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1645 views)
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Re: Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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Sorry I didn't do a better job explaining our situation: the tranny has only about 45,000 miles on it since the rebuild. Runs great/shifts right when cold. Only after warming up is there the occasional hard 1st to 2nd shift. Checking on the internet shows lots of articles on the infamous 'Freestar AX4N hard 1st-to-2nd shift" Suggestions include checking the PCM connection under the cowl for corrosion (I can do this - just labor) as well as cleaning the wiring harness connection to the top of the transmission, which I suppose I can find and do. There are also a few articles about checking/changing the VSS/TSS sensors on the tranny (these aren't that expensive). I know there is one sensor you get to by pulling the front left tire off, but I don't know where the other sensor is located. My guess is it is some place hard to find/work on and replace. The purpose of my post here was to find out if anyone here knew about this problem and/or knew where the VSS/TSS sensors are on this vehicle? The reason I mention being a senior on a fixed income is to let people here know that I am not as nimble as I used to be, and that we can't afford to spend buckets of money. I look forward to hearing from the tech gsferraro and get his thoughts.
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gsferraro
Veteran
Oct 20, 2020, 5:41 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1583 views)
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Re: Senior citizen needs help with Feestar 1st to 2nd hard shift
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Hello,
Have you had the car scanned for codes, if no codes those items probably are not your problem, if it was it may shift hard all the time. When you have an issue like this, it generally points to the valvebody. So is this a hard solid shift or does it kinda slide through and bump? Do you know if any codes are present for the trans. Gary
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