96 Windstar P0733 tranny code.
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96 Windstar P0733 tranny code.
Yesterday my tranny started intermittantly started Shifting from 2 to three, then back to 2 and then throwing the P0733 code. I know why it's throwing the code and since it's not throwing a solenoid code, I am guessing something in the valvebody is sticking or not moving properly. It doesn't do it all of the time.
Has anybody had this happen and what actually fixed it?
This van has a lowered floor to haul my son in his wheel chair and I can't have it leaving us stranded somewhere.
Has anybody had this happen and what actually fixed it?
This van has a lowered floor to haul my son in his wheel chair and I can't have it leaving us stranded somewhere.
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Jimmy I asked our transmission guy at work about the code. He says the most common thing he's seen is an internal problem, probably not a valve body problem 
Does it actually go into 3rd gear or does it try but there's nothing there for it to go into so it goes back to 2nd?
Does it actually go into 3rd gear or does it try but there's nothing there for it to go into so it goes back to 2nd?
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It goes into 3rd for a second, but then shifts back. It doesn't do it all of the time. It seems to be worse it you accelerate real easy. After it does it, if you come to a complete stop, then take off again, it acts fine. I am going to change the fluid and filter Monday morning after work to see if this helps and to see how much debris is in the pan.
A guy from our local drag strip that has a tranny shop told me that he would pull it, rebuild it, and reinstall it for $1500.00. He said it's usually $1800 to $2200 to do one, so if it needs rebuilt, I'll have him do it.
A guy from our local drag strip that has a tranny shop told me that he would pull it, rebuild it, and reinstall it for $1500.00. He said it's usually $1800 to $2200 to do one, so if it needs rebuilt, I'll have him do it.
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Well, I changed the fluid and filter. There was some debris on the magnet, but not any more than I would suspect in 151,000 miles. Not really thick, just enough to cover it.
It appears that it is slipping in 3rd gear now that I have drove it more. But, it only does it under light throttle conditions like in a neighborhood. Anything over about 1/4 throttle, it doesn't act up, but on light acceleration, once it starts slipping, it won't catch up with throttle until you either slow down and accelerate harder in 2nd, then it goes into 3rd and pulls fine. I am starting to think that it is in the valvebody and perhaps the 2-3 shift valve is sticking on light acceleration.
Any thoughts on that Dave? I guess I'll run it by the tranny shop tomorrow. I've been up about 24hrs now and I gotta get some sleep.
At least the new belt tensioner that I put on today cured the squeaking noise at an idle. Something went right today.
It appears that it is slipping in 3rd gear now that I have drove it more. But, it only does it under light throttle conditions like in a neighborhood. Anything over about 1/4 throttle, it doesn't act up, but on light acceleration, once it starts slipping, it won't catch up with throttle until you either slow down and accelerate harder in 2nd, then it goes into 3rd and pulls fine. I am starting to think that it is in the valvebody and perhaps the 2-3 shift valve is sticking on light acceleration.
Any thoughts on that Dave? I guess I'll run it by the tranny shop tomorrow. I've been up about 24hrs now and I gotta get some sleep.
At least the new belt tensioner that I put on today cured the squeaking noise at an idle. Something went right today.
Last edited by LxMan1; Jan 29, 2007 at 01:57 PM.
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I would have the transmission shop test it properly with line pressure gauges etc.
Unfortunately older Windstar transmissions don't have a very good track record and once they start slipping they are usually due for a rebuild
Unfortunately older Windstar transmissions don't have a very good track record and once they start slipping they are usually due for a rebuild
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Well, tranny guy say's it's definately a valvebody issue, but with the miles on it, I told him to go ahaed and rebuild it. I'd hate to sink the money into it and then the clutches go out a few months later. So he is pulling it tomorrow.
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I thought so too. What scres me now is that it still has the original head gaskets on it. That's a long time for a 3.8L. It uses no oil and runs strong, so maybe it will last a few more years. I would buy another one, but it's hard to find a Ford with a lowered floor and a ramp for a wheel chair. Most are Chrysler/Dodge and I don't want that headache. A good low mile used van like mine goes for around $35,000+.
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Now that Ford is stopping making minivans they will probably get even harder to find and more expensive.
If another one costs $35k I think I'd be hanging on to what I've got even if it meant putting a few thousand into it.....as long as the rest of it is in good shape.
I've worked on a few Windstars with tons of hard miles on them and they still keep on ticking. Other than transmissions and head gaskets on some of them they really are pretty tough.
If another one costs $35k I think I'd be hanging on to what I've got even if it meant putting a few thousand into it.....as long as the rest of it is in good shape.
I've worked on a few Windstars with tons of hard miles on them and they still keep on ticking. Other than transmissions and head gaskets on some of them they really are pretty tough.
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I will probably do that. All I've reall ever done to it is 1 waterpump, 1 belt tensioner, 1 fuel pump, brakes, shocks and tires. It's been a good van so far.
We we sold out 89 Aerostar, it had 249,000 miles on it and ran like a new one. We went thru 2 crappy A4LD trannys in it, but it never used oil or anything. Those 3.0 engines are bullet proof.
I've done the head gaskets on a couple of T-Birds (3.8), It's just a bit tougher when the motor sits sideways and I have to remove the cowl to access things (even to change the rear plugs.
We we sold out 89 Aerostar, it had 249,000 miles on it and ran like a new one. We went thru 2 crappy A4LD trannys in it, but it never used oil or anything. Those 3.0 engines are bullet proof.
I've done the head gaskets on a couple of T-Birds (3.8), It's just a bit tougher when the motor sits sideways and I have to remove the cowl to access things (even to change the rear plugs.
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Just an update, He is building the tranny today. It needed a new pump, drum assembly and he is replacing all of the solenoids and such in the valvebody. He is also doing all of the upgrades that have come over the years since 96. It should last a long time I would hope. He's doing it all for $1600.00 which sounds fair to me. Hopefully I'll get it back this evening, if not tomorrow.
He also mentioned that there was an update kit for the upper intake and front valvecover to prevent oil leakage. It's a couple of hundred dollars at the dealer. I really haven't had any oil consumption so I'm not going to do that right now. He said that he would have installed that free (labor) since he had to pull the plastic upper intake to attatch the hoist to hold up the engine while the tranny was out.
I guess I'll do that upgrade when the head gaskets go.
He also mentioned that there was an update kit for the upper intake and front valvecover to prevent oil leakage. It's a couple of hundred dollars at the dealer. I really haven't had any oil consumption so I'm not going to do that right now. He said that he would have installed that free (labor) since he had to pull the plastic upper intake to attatch the hoist to hold up the engine while the tranny was out.
I guess I'll do that upgrade when the head gaskets go.
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'98 Windstar, Missing 3rd
Originally Posted by Racerguy
Does it actually go into 3rd gear or does it try but there's nothing there for it to go into so it goes back to 2nd?
Is this likely fatal?
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Welcome to the forum JoAlexan 
Unfortunately usually when you lose a gear completely it is fatal. At this point I would probably take it to the dealer and have it checked. They can check line pressures etc. to hopefully get a better idea what happened before tearing it apart. Windstar transmissions aren't the best transmission Ford built. I'd be thinking about putting in a rebuilt.
Unfortunately usually when you lose a gear completely it is fatal. At this point I would probably take it to the dealer and have it checked. They can check line pressures etc. to hopefully get a better idea what happened before tearing it apart. Windstar transmissions aren't the best transmission Ford built. I'd be thinking about putting in a rebuilt.
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