1993 Taurus auto trans problem

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Sep 9, 2013 | 03:19 PM

f100jim

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1993 Taurus auto trans problem

Yes, shocking, I know. I have a 1993 Taurus GL 3.0 with the 4-speed auto and I am having transmission problems.

Trans worked fine when I drove into parking lot. Came back 30 minutes later, and trans is dead. When I shift into any gear, the engine loads and the car lurches a little. However, when I press the accelerator, the engine revs but the car makes absolutely NO attempt to move. This happens in every shifter position. Trans fluid level is correct.

The car has 140,000 miles on it and is not worth $1500 for a rebuilt trans. However, I am willing to gamble $200 on a rebuild kit. I am thinking about dropping the pan, pulling the valve body, and rebuilding it with new seals from the kit, and pulling all of the pistons to clean and replace seals. Then put it back together and try it out.

Expert opinions wanted: am I wasting my time and money? Should I just shoot it and haul it to the scrap yard?

Sep 9, 2013 | 04:31 PM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: SE Florida

I don't understand what you are planning to do. Are you planning on removing the trans and rebuilding it, or just removing the side pan (NOT the bottom pan) and rebuilding the valve body?

Sep 10, 2013 | 06:04 AM

tseekins

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From: Maine, Virginia

With 140K, wouldn't it make more sense to pull a transmission from a junk yard?

Sep 10, 2013 | 09:22 AM

f100jim

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My plan is to pull whatever pan(s) I need to pull to get to the valve body and pistons. Clean and rebuild the valve body and clean and put new seals on the pistons.

I could get a trans from a junk yard, but that is more money and work than the car is worth and I would still have a trans that might not even work.

Bottom line: I am choosing between attempting a relatively easy job and hoping that it works, or taking the car to the scrap yard and walking away with $300 in my pocket. The car is in pretty good shape, all things considered. It was garage kept all of its life. However, it has NO options. It has a market value of about $500. If I can fix the trans (i.e. make it work for another few years of light driving) for $200, great. If not, I'll take the $300 for scrap value.

Sep 10, 2013 | 10:12 AM

quaddriver

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From: Cook Forest and Irwin PA

AXOD-E? if so, possible that a solenoid went

you really need to open up some pressure taps and take some readings

Sep 10, 2013 | 12:00 PM

f100jim

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Quote:

Originally Posted by quaddriver

AXOD-E? if so, possible that a solenoid went

you really need to open up some pressure taps and take some readings

Hmmm... It sounds to me like the best thing would be to tow it to a shop where they know this trans and have them diagnose it, then decide what to do. If it's just one bad solenoid, it could be reasonable to fix it. I'd have to buy a shop manual and pressure gauges just to get started.

Or .... upon further consideration ... if a solenoid has burned out, I should be able to find that pretty easily with an ohm meter. I will check the solenoids and see if one is open or shorted.

Sep 10, 2013 | 09:34 PM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,709

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From: SE Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by f100jim

My plan is to pull whatever pan(s) I need to pull to get to the valve body and pistons. Clean and rebuild the valve body and clean and put new seals on the pistons.

There are no pistons that are accessible through either pan. If you want to replace the clutch piston seals the trans has to come out and get completely torn down. That's a rebuild. It cannot be done with the trans in the car.