Ok, had some shift issues and the o/d light started flashing. No cel, so my scanner could not give me a code I did a trans service, full fluid change (5 gallons of carquest dex/merc, pumped out old till new started coming out) and filter change. Magnet had a small amount of metal, but mostly resembled mud. Filter was pretty full as well. After all that, and running it for a couple of hours to make sure the fluid level was right, I test drive it and all seemed well. Rechecked fluid and still on the money. Went grocery shopping, and the o/d started flashing again and it started shifting bad. But its not one gear, its sporatic. One time it will be 1 to 2 shifts hard, then next full stop it will be 2 to 3 or maybe 3 to 4 with 1 to 2 being fine. A few times its even stayed in 1st and jumped to 3rd!

any ideas?

oh and last night I lost reverse, but this morning I had it again. As a matter of fact, I drove to work without issues until the last couple of minutes.

 

Without the codes all I can tell you is that something is wrong. Find a shop that can read the codes and then I could help.

 

Thanks for the reply, Mark. Is it common for the the CEL to be off if there are codes for the trans? I was under the impression that the trans codes were stored in the odb2 like all the rest. I am going to take it to the shop and get it diagnosed, but figured I'd post the symptom just in case.

 

ok,

So the shop checked the OBDII, as well as trans codes and even did a full system diagnosis. the ONLY thing that came up was "Check fluid level"....was a quart low.

So, they told me there were a couple possible things causing the problem.

1. I probably have a leak - Yeah, the lines are pretty crappy and the aux cooler has been spliced due to a leaky line. So this is probably where the low fluid is coming from (but I kinda figured that)... Actually, my neighbor pointed out that it could be a pinhole on the return line sucking air as the fluid thins out from warming up. Any thoughts?

2. My shifter is pretty stiff and could be partly engaging the gear on the trans linkage. I am at a loss with this one. I have been told its a common issue with the column shifter (had a Taurus that broke and cost $600 to fix!!) So, any advice on repairing the shift and probable points of interest would be appreciated.

What I am planning as far as the leaks go, is to replace all the lines with new. I am thinking of either ceramic coated or full rubber hose as my current lines are rusted pretty bad. As for column, I need advice, but I'm going to pull the cover off the column and grease/lube everything I can see that moves. Disconnect the cable and try the shifter, move the cable in and out and lubricate the cable as well as the linkage on the trans itself. Does white litium grease sound good for the column? Is there a better product?

Thanks again

 

should "Mercon V" be used instead of "Dex/Merc"? those are totally different oils.



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Yes, it's common. The trans codes are stored in the OBDII just like the engine codes. The EPA specifies which codes MUST turn on the CEL. Any other code CANNOT turn on the CEL. And nobody wants to turn on the CEL if they don't have to. If 4% of the vehicles turn on a CEL for the same reason the manufacturer is required to issue a recall. Nobody wants a recall.

OBDII includes the trans codes. If they didn't get a code, and the OD OFF was flashing less than a month ago, they have the wrong scan tool and are not able to read Ford transmission codes.


Low fluid can cause errors that can set a code and flash the light. Fix the leaks, set the level, and see if the OD OFF flashes again. If it does, find a different shop to read the codes, the one you used can't read them.

A pinhole in the return line will not cause air to get sucked in. There is no suction on the return line, only pressure. Less pressure than the feed to the coolers, but it is pressurized. And if I'm wrong and it does suck air, it just sends that to the lube system and then to the pan. It isn't used to control anything.


What I've seen most often is corrosion in the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) located on the driver's side of the transmission. That makes it stiff, and that makes the shifter stiff.

MERCON is an obsolete spec. MERCON V is the correct fluid now.

 

I've driven it about 3 times as fas as I did when the light started flashing the last time. I'm hoping low fluid is the cause. I have the next few days off so I'll be replacing the lines then. Which would be a better go, ceramic coated steel (I'll be bending it myself) or this stuff my neighbor told me about that you plug into the ends of hose and clamp? I imagine the fittings are similar to pex for water pipe. Either way is good imo, so which is better?

I'll look at the switch on the trans as well. Freeing that up seems to be a priority with everyone lol.

I only bought the dex/merc cause the guy at carquest said it was safe and 5 gallons costs quite a bit more (double).

Thanks again for the advice. I'll keep you updated on the progress!

 

never trust the advice of any parts guys...

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...3110246AAQnUT8

transmissions are very sensitive to the type of fluids used, being cheap will cost you more.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...3110246AAQnUT8







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The book actually called for mercon IV, so matbe thats why it was safe. At any rate, the light started flashing again last night, and sure enough it was low. I finally got my garage cleared out to fit her in, so I will be replacing all the lines asap

 

No, the book did NOT call for MERCON IV. I know that for a fact because there is no such thing as MERCON IV. There has never been a MERCON IV.

 

Sorry about that, I just looked in the book again, dunno where I got IV from, it says mercon