RockAuto just got my $9 and FedEx got $13 for next day shipping.

Now... where to buy Mercon SP fluid???

 

from the internet if you have time.. check their shipping charges..
I thinkthis is what you are looking for..
ATF Transmission Fluid Mercon SP, XT-6-QSP, Motorcraft

Motorcraft Mercon SP TorqShift fluid XT-6-QSP

 

Ok Mark my part should arrive Wednesday and I'll be digging in Wednesday evening.

I'm a very analytical type of guy and I have some more questions. If youre ever in central Florida hit me up and I'll buy you lunch. Or mail a gift card. Whichever you prefer

The van acted up very badly Friday and that was when I went to the Ford dealer. On the drive home it worked normally, so Saturday I decided to give it a try because I was able to schedule jobs avoiding the interstate. Transmission performed as normal for 100miles Saturday. And then again for 15 miles Sunday.

By Monday my Stupidness kicked in and I basically felt like I was in the clear so I hit the road as usual. 60 miles to Orlando, drive around, one customer location for 5 hours, then it began acting up during the drive home. Hard shifts, no Tow/Haul, and high rpm at highway speeds (seemed like it wouldn't shift beyond 3rd: as best I could keep track).
So the problem is intermittent.

I ordered from RockAuto: transmission oil temperature sensor from Standard Motor Products part number C32001 with expedited shipping. (The wiring harness seems a level beyond my abilities/comfort level, so I am taking a chance by doing just the sensor; as you mentioned.)

1: what specifically do you recommend to check the wiring harness (aside from what I DO know- chafing, cracks, looseness, etc)

2: is there a manner of checking the old TFT with a multimeter? Maybe not since the problem is intermittent..?

3: mercon SP- any brand name acceptable? Even a generic if that's all I can find?

4: the research I've found, everyone says 8-9 quarts when dropping the pan and doing this job. Does that sound right?

5: assuming 8-9 quarts; should I add about 6-7 and then start engine and then cycle shift selector through each position for about 5-10seconds each? And then check fluid level, and then cycle through all selector positions again each time I add fluid?

6: ok to reuse the internal trans filter if it looks good? I think you've said this before.

7: isn't there an external trans filter? Should I do anything with that?

8: (I bet I'll have more questions- please stay tuned).

Thanks Mark.

 

Along with what you listed you want to check the wires for continuity, short to ground, and shorts to each other, too.

Yes, but an intermittent won't always show up, and it may only have a problem in a certain temperature range. If you don't reach that range when testing it will test fine even though it isn't fine.

Yes.

That's about right. It varies a bit trans to trans, the torque converter will drain some fluid back into the pan, and that isn't the same on every trans.

That's exactly how I set fluid level.

Yes it is. If there is enough junk in the filter to cause a problem it is because the trans has had a total failure. If it still works, the filter is fine.

You could also consider replacing the filter and pan with a 2008 Job 2 filter and pan. That's a real filter, the one in the earlier transmissions isn't much more than a really fine screen.

Yes there is. You should replace it. It should be in the cooler line just before the radiator.

I'll bet I'll have more answers!

 

What is a 2008 Job 2 filter and pan and how/where do I get it?
Also what are the benefits?

 

I believe this is what Mark is talking about.

 

Is this the filter?

 

Also is any of this info meaningful to our conversation?

 

Lol at post #23!!

That is not the picture I uploaded!

 

Dang! Following along on this adventure, saw that photo and fell off my chair! jim

 

The later filter is a real filter. The earlier filter is a fine screen. With the newer filter you will have cleaner fluid, and the solenoids really like clean fluid.

 

I also had a strong belly laugh. I'm not sure how that happened… I don't even have that picture on my phone… That must have mixed up somewhere in the FTE databases… I had taken a picture of the tag on the side of the transmission that has the manufacture date and a bunch of barcodes and other specific magical codes…

 

Thanks Annaleigh, I'll check out the video tomorrow. And I'm planning to get the Mercon SP locally so I can do the job ASAP.

Sorry for not responding. Crazy day at work. Have a great day!

 

This tiny little thing is causing me all this grief?! Anyway, I'll be installing this today or tomorrow along with my $86 worth of transmission fluid…

 

Ok I'm about to dig in. Pray for success!