Escort not shifting
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Escort not shifting
We have a 1995 Escort with 28,000 (no typo) miles. It saw very light duty and then sat for several years. My son drove it last night and after 6 -8 miles it wouldn't shift out of first gear. I checked the fluid and it was nice and clean, but the level was reading high. This morning I test drove it and it shifted normally on a short test drive around the block. I checked the fluid and it was reading normal. I left it and took the Aerostar to work. Maybe I can get some code readings later today.
Anyone with any experience or sugestions?
Anyone with any experience or sugestions?
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Only eleven views and no responses, so I thought I'd bump this up again. The car was working good for the past 3 weeks, then started this again. Fluid level looks good. This car sat for several years but drove fine since acquiring it in July. Mabey it's weather related as it has only has happened in the freezing cold? I drove it and it wouldn't upshift until 35+ mph. After that it upshifts normally. I tried starting out in D1 and it made no difference. I also checked for stored codes but nothing shows.
One thing I noticed was it seems to be downshifting on stops. I thought these would freewheel but my experience with them is limited.
Any suggestions?
One thing I noticed was it seems to be downshifting on stops. I thought these would freewheel but my experience with them is limited.
Any suggestions?
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Maine
I'm no auto tranny expert (I can hardly even drive the darn things...) but the temp thing makes me wonder whether a fluid change might help. Could be the fluid got contaminated and becomes too viscous when it gets cold.
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Thanks for the reply. I'm going to try a fluid change, even though the fluid in there looks like new. In my original post I had the milage wrong. Upon furhter review, It's only 24,000 Mi, And it ran great since the summer. Maybe moisture in the fluid that's freezing and blocking something?
It's the on again, off again nature of the problem that's frustrating, plus I know next to zip about about these automatics. My kid usualy drives it and when it ****s up I get to try to diagnose it. I tried the electrical connections, as there is some computer control system. I thought that may have fixed it but the problem came back. Who knows what connections to look at?
I downloded the Ford CD and will try to research tonight.
It's the on again, off again nature of the problem that's frustrating, plus I know next to zip about about these automatics. My kid usualy drives it and when it ****s up I get to try to diagnose it. I tried the electrical connections, as there is some computer control system. I thought that may have fixed it but the problem came back. Who knows what connections to look at?
I downloded the Ford CD and will try to research tonight.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Change every fluid and filter in that car. Oil sitting for such a long time is never a good thing--you know, carbonic acid and the like forming in the engine.
Vehicles are meant to be driven. Not doing so is just as (or more) harmful than driving one several hours per day. (Use it or lose it!)
Vehicles are meant to be driven. Not doing so is just as (or more) harmful than driving one several hours per day. (Use it or lose it!)
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I agree AlfredB. Oil and filter were the first things done.
We're forecast to have a few days that are actually above freezing. That will give me a chance to see if it's weather related. Mabey I'm wrong but I can envision a transmission filter plugged by ice crystals from the condensation built up over the years of sitting. Hopefully thats all it is and not a $900 repair -- not exactly the xmas gift I asked for.
We're forecast to have a few days that are actually above freezing. That will give me a chance to see if it's weather related. Mabey I'm wrong but I can envision a transmission filter plugged by ice crystals from the condensation built up over the years of sitting. Hopefully thats all it is and not a $900 repair -- not exactly the xmas gift I asked for.
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OK thought I would give a follow-up report. The fluid and filter change did nothing but give me piece of mind. I've been trouble shooting this thing on my days off that have been above sub-arctic. I downloaded the service manual, checked the codes and followed the diagnostic procedure. Interestingly, the powertrain control section for the escort includes the electronicaly controlled Aerostar transmission too. Maybe they use the same system.
Turns out it was the speed sensor. A search on the escort owners group forum turned up info on what a pain it is to get the old one out. You usually destroy the old one by having to use a chissel to punch it out. Get this -- on a manual transmission you need to do this to add oil to the transmission. The hole for the sensor serves as the oil fill hole.
At any rate, a $56.00 sensor later it shifts as designed. Maybe I should stop by the transmission shop that gave me the $900 quote and let them know.
Turns out it was the speed sensor. A search on the escort owners group forum turned up info on what a pain it is to get the old one out. You usually destroy the old one by having to use a chissel to punch it out. Get this -- on a manual transmission you need to do this to add oil to the transmission. The hole for the sensor serves as the oil fill hole.
At any rate, a $56.00 sensor later it shifts as designed. Maybe I should stop by the transmission shop that gave me the $900 quote and let them know.
