Speedy Auto > Auto FAQ > Cars > Ford

Ford: Transmission issue, ford taurus, overdive


Question
QUESTION: I have a 2003 Ford Taurus i just had an Engine changed out in it and when i got it back my Transmission light was on and flashing a yellow Exclamation Mark no problems with it at first but then when i was driving at 65mph and above my car would jerk but aslong as i kept it below 60mph it wouldn't do it then a couple days later the car jerked like it shifted down into a lower gear when i was doing about 65mph and wouldn't move rpms just went up but after i stopped put it in park then put it in low 1 and shifted up to drive then into overdive it ran fine ....i know this is a long question but i really need to know what my problem is a few people have tried to tell me the Torque Converter or the Bands need tightened or to try to change the transmission fluid and filter i dont know what to do

ANSWER: Hi,

First off... let the shop know!

Most commonly, the wires to the transmission are pinched or damaged during the engine swap.

It sounds like problems with the lock-up convertor, whether it be an engine sensor, wiring  problem, module failure or internal transmission problem I cannot say.

Because these transmissions are a bit prone to failures, I would highly recommend that you contact the re & re shop and give them the chance to come good on the repair if they caused it.

I suggest that you explain the concerns and ask them to look into it. That the cost of rechecking the wiring and codes should be covered by them. Then you can decide how to proceed.

Otherwise. most good transmission shops will offer an inexpensive initial test drive/ scan/ inspection for you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much the pinched wires and stuff i what my dad was saying might be wrong when i first got the car....but i was wondering if maybe changing the transmission fluid and filter on it might help if it doesn't have any pinched or damaged wires?....and also i have a Gas cap light on and im not sure what it means dont know if you do and i have a Engine light on that on i went to Advanced Auto and got a code on the engine light is PO443 Evapemission Control System Purge Valve C Fault dont know if that means anything to you

ANSWER: Hello again...


If the transmission fluid is burnt (brown instead of red),then changing it would be worth trying.
The CEL and code P0443 point to an evaporative emmissions problem being recognized. This is the system that stores and burns off fumes from the gas tank, so that they are kept out of the atmosphere. Generaly, problems here rarely affect driveability, but can point towards a PCM problem. The gas cap light is also indicating an emmissions problem.

Did advanced also scan the transmission?

when the car hits about 70-80km/hr, the transmission should be in highest gear and the lock-up portion of the torque convertor should be engaging.  This would be indicated on a scanner, and the rpm should drop.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No i couldn't get Advanced to scan the transmission....when i first got the car back the transmission light would stay on all the time...so i had the smart idea to try and reset the computer by disconnecting the battery cable and at the time i thought it worked but now it only comes on when i start driving and when i shift into maybe 2nd or 3rd gear it the light comes on for a little bit then goes off....hard to tell what actual gear im in because its a automatic.....and about the gas tank issues got any idea's on what would fix the car what could i do?....and PCM? im not sure what that is either......Thank You for your time

Answer
Ok. I would get the transmission scanned.
To be able to see what gear you are in, there are a couple of tricks:
1. start froma stop and accelerate slowly. watch the rpms and count the shifts as they happen, or to double check, drop a shift or turn off the over drive (if applicable) to see if it drops.
2. hook up a scanner and watch the shifts. the scanner should indicate, which gear it expects the transmission to be in.

The gas cap light and code should be dealt with at a good repair shop, with smoke machine as wrong testing can do more damage.

The PCM (Powertrain Control Module)is the computor that controls everything.