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Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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moose5255
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Feb 23, 2008, 8:48 AM
Post #1 of 11
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Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer wagon, 4 cylinder (smallest one) and I have an unusual problem. When I put it in drive and take off, it won't shift to 2nd gear, it just stays in 1st. Then I have to put it in neutral then back to drive (the drive in the circle, overdrive I guess it is), and then it shifts to the next gear. BUT: after about 3 to 4 seconds it goes out of gear completely. I have to do this sometimes only once, sometimes up to 7 or 8 times until eventually it straightens out and shifts shifts normally. It shifts normally until I have to stop and put in park. Then when I drive it again, it starts all over again. There is no slipping of the gears, the bands are tight, everything seems normal other than the shifting issue. I was told to flush the transmission (trans axle) and that would probably cure my problem. I had a friend who is a mechanic change the transmission fluid and replace the filter but to no avail. Is changing the transmission like flushing it or is there more to it than that? I've also had someone tell me the transmission is computer controlled and someone else said it's a linkage issue. At the advice of another friend, I even tried a container of something called TransX but that didn't work either. I'm totally confused now. Can anyone tell me what I REALLY need do to fix the transmission? This is a transmission from a junk car. I had to replace the original one because it was completely worn out. I'm at wits end! Please, can someone out there instruct me on what I need to have done to fix it?
Thank you 
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dave284
Enthusiast
Feb 23, 2008, 9:12 AM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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It sounds like there is some trash in the system, I would take it to shop were they have the equipment to flush out the entire system, normal cost is between $75 to $100 cheaper than another trans
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moose5255
User
Feb 23, 2008, 9:58 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Thanks for the quick reply Dave and the advice. I checked on how to flush a transmission with a few sites and they recommended using a high pressure flushing machine. I also checked with with an online transmission specialist who works for Ford motor Co. and here is what he said:
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Transmission Flushing
Car Repair Advice on When and How to Flush Your Transmission
© Vincent Ciulla
A flush machine uses high pressure and cleaning agents and forces it in the reverse direction of the normal fluid flow.
This is something Ford Motor Company specifically advises against. In big letters in the Ford transmission service manuals it says "Warning: Use only clean automatic transmission fluid. Do not use any supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or cleaning agents. The use of these materials affects the operation of the transmission, resulting in internal component failure."
It is not necessary to use a special machine to do the job correctly. Just drop the pan and pull the drain plug on the torque converter. While it's draining, drop the transmission filter, put in a new one and clean the pan. Put a new gasket on the transmission pan and button it back up. Put the drain plug back into the torque converter and fill up the transmission.
This method will get 95% of the transmission fluid out with wasting time hooking up a machine you don't need. Then you can use the money for that machine on equipment you do need.
The facts are this:
The only ones who recommend a transmission, or engine, flush as a maintenance service are the people who make the machines and the people who sell the service.
No automotive manufacturer in the world recommends a flush as regular service. If a shop tells you they do; they are outright lying to you.
All automotive manufacturers specifically recommend against flushing services. Doing so will void new vehicle warranties.
A transmission, or engine, that has been regularly serviced does not need a flush.
Flush machine manufacturers specifically advise against flushing "high mileage" vehicles. This loosely phrased warning puts the complete burden of the cost of repairs to components damaged by a flushing service on the shop and leaves them libel free.
So whenever a shop says you need a transmission, or engine, flush; just say no.
So, I guess I'll try Mr. Ciulla's advice and try his way. Thanks again Dave.
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dave284
Enthusiast
Feb 23, 2008, 10:11 AM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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I wouldn't advise it as being a regular service, but in such a case if doing it manually didn't work/ BTW some t.converters don't have drain plugs any way you go wish you good luck
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 23, 2008, 12:45 PM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Hey Moose. Ford DOES recommend a transmission, cooling, brake, power steering and rear rend flushes as periodical maintenance. So I guess the info from the net,there, is more than likely bad.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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moose5255
User
Feb 23, 2008, 5:57 PM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Hi way2old , why would someone from Ford Motor Company tell me not to do a high pressure flush if it is indeed a good idea? I did looked at my manual and in the trans axle (transmission) section it says not to use high pressure flush as the Ford tech said. Is my manual in error?
Thanks for responding and have a great day.
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 23, 2008, 6:30 PM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Hello again Moose. Please check this site. Your Ford expert is not a Ford expert. He claims 30 + years. I have well over 40 years and have been doing Ford since 1984. I have the same qualifications he does except in the foreign auto makers. He started a website. www.about.com and has a forum there as we do hewre. I belong to the Ford section there also. Flush machines are as good as the technician using them. After reading your "expert"'s comment, how are you going to remove the crud and ditry fluid from the transmission cooler in the radiator and the cooling lines? All machines I have seen have a variable rate pressure system in them, which goes back to the person doing the job. There is much discussion on these devices on the net. Guess what you need to do is do a LOT of research before condemning anything. We do not have one, but our vehicles are Police Cruisers and they tear the transmissions out often enough that we completely change all fluid about every 50k miles.  Good luck.
To address your problem, you will not cure the problem with changing fluid. To me it sounds like an internal prob lem and will need rebuilt. Sorry for ther bad news, but facts are facts. We have had 6 Taurus transmissions, same as yours, go out and they had similar symptoms.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
(This post was edited by way2old on Feb 23, 2008, 6:33 PM)
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moose5255
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Feb 24, 2008, 8:48 AM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Way2oldo , I have researched and researched and some say yes, flush the tranny and others say don't, and the ones that say don't claim that the more miles a tranny has on it the more likely flushing will only cause more problems. I agree that it depends on who is doing the flushing and the experience they have. I am totally ticked off at the mechanic that installed this tranny. I am on a fixed income (I am disabled), and could not afford a new tranny nor would I waste all that money on a new tranny for such an old car. This mechanic is supposedly a good friend of mine. He replaced the old tranny with one from a junk car. It was less than 2 months afterwards that this tranny began acting up. In my opinion he should have at least offered to rebuild the tranny and just charge me for the parts or just the labor, whichever was cheapest but he didn't offer. I was raised to help out friends in need. It seems that not everyone sees it that way, especially these days. Anyway, I'm all for trying to flush the tranny, but do you think I'd be wasting $100.00? Thanks for your input, and I didn't mean any dissrespect towards you or your knowledge about car repair. I'm just so frustrated, this car is all I have. The drive train and motor are in excellent shape as is the body and frame, I just don't have to money to be replacing another tranny. Thanks again, and please give me your opinion as to whether I should risk a flush.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 24, 2008, 4:52 PM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Moose - Do I get this right? This is a used but was recently rebuilt tranny installed by a friend? It doesn't stay engaged properly from the first post here. Is it installed and all hook ups are right? What happened to the first one - did it throw junk through the fluid and that was left it? Who knows right now.
Used is used. How well do you know that the used one was in good working order? If you brought it to me to install and a used any part didn't work out right I wouldn't up and offer to do a complete rebuild for just parts cost - if that was the case I would have done it that way with the first one! Parts are cheap - the job requires know how, tools and the place to do it.
I'm not sure flushing is the issue with this at all with the current info/history of this. Did the used part come with a warranty? Who found the used part?
I used to install plenty of used parts - now retired and would be up front that the labor of doing it over again is not my responsibility if the used part was the problem.
Moose - I bet between Dave284, way2old and myself you have 100 years or so of technical hands on experiance just here. I'd also bet that even we would have different experiences with what works best.
Used is used as said. Who procured the part counts. I liken that to bringing in your own food to a restaurant to prepare for you and then not liking the way it turned out.
Sorry for your situation and financial constraints to take care of this another way. What does you friend suggest doing now who installed this in the first place? Good luck,
T
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moose5255
User
Feb 25, 2008, 6:51 AM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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No Tom, this is just a plain used tranny from a wrecked car my mechanic bought at a junkyard. The mileage it had on it I don't know, I wasn't told. All he said was it's a really good tranny. The old tranny was gone, wouldn't go into gear at all, bands were shot, tranny fluid leaking, etc. It really needed to be either replaced or rebuilt. My friend is a mechanic, has been most of his life. He is on Social Security now, but takes on a few jobs once in awhile. He has a huge garage with a lift and all the tools so he can do anything. I asked about rebuilding and he said it would be too expensive. He offered to get one out of a junk car. I said ok as long as it's a good one. Though I don't believe he intentionally got a crummy tranny, the fact still remains, thats exactly what I got, I got a crappy tranny. Guess I have to live with that fact, live and learn no matter how old we get right? Thanks for your thoughts and opinions Tom, and I guess I'll just drive the car until the tranny craps out completely then it's shoe leather express. Take care Tom.
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dave284
Enthusiast
Feb 25, 2008, 12:47 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: Transmission problem BIG TIME! HELP!!!
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Pardon me MOOSE, you said it came out of a junk yard.....? I deal with with alot of salvage parts, but only ones that carrie a 3/6/12 warranty, unless you are positive the part works, I WOULD QUESTIONED YOUR MECHANIC and see how good of a friend he is
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