Yup, it's a F**d question. The '94 Taurus w/AOD that the 17 year old son drives is now only equipped with first and reverse. The transmission shifted fine and firm prior to this event. The car has 138,000 miles on the clock, but the first 100,000 were on the highway as it belonged to a good friend who was a sales rep. The fluid is to level and reasonably clean given the miles. Fluid and filter service has been done on a regular basis.

These things are apparently shifted through a Powertrain Control Module and someone suggested that the speed sensor may have failed. They also indicated the speedo would have quit if this happened, and it still registers. I'm out of my league here with the electronics and the lack of service manuals. Does anyone here have experience with these trannys and have any suggestions? Replacement (apparently no one repairs these things any more) would set me back around $2,750 at most shops. The car is in great shape mechanically, and in ten months the son is off to UVa and can't have a car on campus. But, of course, the value of the car is less than $1,000 (which is why the 17 year old is driving it) and I have to make a decision on whether to repair it or trash it. I really don't want to buy a new (used) car only to inherit someone else's problems and then let it sit for a year 10 months from now, so I'm hoping this is a small problem.

Any suggestions from Ford drivers? Thanks!

Steve

 

I have a 98 Taurus with 189,000, bought it with 66,000 on it, will never complain about this car or the manufacturer. Original engine and tranny.

That being said, it is only a matter of time till either one goes out. I have already sought out rebuild kit for both and kind of hopes it happens when it is a little warmer.

It could be a great project for you and you son to put some buddy time on. My 15 year old daughter helps me out a lot. But she thinks she is building up credits to drive the vette in a couple of years.

Bill

 

I don't know jack about Taurus trannies, but my wife's Escort tranny had the fluid/filter changed around 85k or so, and now is acting crappy again at 120 or so....I don't think a fluid/filter is going to do it this time....

anway, I am told they are fairly easy to rebuild, but to forget about the snap rings and fancy machine work in the older trannies I am somewhat familiar with....GM rwd vechocles....

apparently from comments, it's all held together with bent tabs and built super lightweight from stampings.....

but they DO sell kits for it, and with care they can be fixed....

another core supply place said to rebuild the original, as the choices of any/all FWD cars for things like specifics of electronic controlls, and internal gear ratios make it impossible to match a core to what I have....which is too bad, it would be worth 60 bux to be able to redo a core at leisure, and when time came, swap it out in an afternoon...
just like a tranny shop....but given the warnings, I find it chancy....

but I am a bit incredulous over the warning also, as I would think, logically, they'd want to make as few changes as possible to keep costs down....

 

Taurus trannys are not that good. I had taurus cars as a salesman and the trannys failed regularly. I drove the cars a lot on the interstates and they would melt from the heat of fast interstate driving. The only one I had that did not fail was one I drove for 102,000 miles to and from work after I moved into mgmt. It too, was a company vehicle, but the tranny wasn't subjected to many long trips at interstate speed. I know ford had a problem with the trannys running too hot and failing. I would run one without an extra tranny cooler.
Bernie
Bernie

 

You know, if I had a service manual, a lift and lots of time, this might work. But I checked with a buddy in a Ford dealer, and he says the sub-frame has to come out. I don't think I could pull this one easily in the garage laying on the floor. Besides, I'm closing in on 50 and hard work hurts pretty bad. I thought I was going to die lifting those cast iron heads off and on the '74 big block.

Funny thing about that. I was able to find kits as well, but when I called around to trans shops and checked, no one, and I mean no one wanted to rebuild it. They all wanted to install a remanufactured unit. Even the specialist shops. Weird. I guess I'm used to the old TH-350 and TH-400 too, they sure seemed simple enough back then.

You know, when I bought this thing 6 years ago or so, a buddy who was a trans expert (out of the business now) said the same thing. He told me he expected to see me within a couple years.....

I'm still hoping that this is something simple, like an electrical connection come loose, but I'm losing hope. Looks like it's gonna get it's butt hauled to a shop next week on a flatbed. Like I said, I'm too old to deal with this stuff anymore. Unless it's on a '74 Vette....

Steve

 

Maybe this place can help you: http://www.realtcca.com

 

I am a service manager with a mazda dealer.The trans in your taurus is the same trans that was used in the Mazda 626.They are famous for failing and the number one cause for failure is overheating.It's not anyting you did but is just the nature of those transmissions,driving on the highway for extended periods of time is usually the killer they get very hot and the cooler were just not enough to do the job.Mazda and Ford finally figured out how to solve the problem the LAST year they built it in 2002.They installed an External trans cooler.I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I'm afraid you may be looking at a new Transmission.If it was a wheel speed sensor you may have a "OD" or "AT" light flashing on the dash.Good luck and If I can help just let me know.

 

Try these people out.

http://www.zbag.com/specials.html

They are a reputable gear shop in Zumbrota Minnesota.

They have a new tranny for a 01-03 Taurus for $750.00, don't know, might fit, they'll know.

 

"Sigh". Thanks Kevin. No light flashing. As I noted earlier, it was driven on the highway for the first 100,000. I suspect it's gone. Now I have to invest nearly $3,000 into a $1,000 car. At least I know the rest of the beast is in pretty good shape. And I'm just not willing to put a newer vehicle in the hands of a 17 year old.

Steve

 

mkflanagan I will have to disagree with you. They never used the AXOD, AXODE, AX4S transmissions in the mazda 626.

Steve's74 first thing I would do is have the codes pulled. It is highly possible a speed sensor has failed. Some of them used mechanical gauges so the speed sensor has an electrical part and also has a cable. So it is possible to have a working speedo and a bad sensor. If you drive it with only first gear an extended amount of time you will probably end the hope of a simple fix. And it possible to have a trans code and not have a check engine light. They will also not flash a light. You will need to go and have a diag done.

 

Steve,
I had a 93 Sable. At about 150,000 kms ( 90,000 miles ) one thing after another began to fail on it!I purchased it from my father in-law at 75,000 kms.The car was never driven hard but was going through starters, alternators,sensors and front end parts etc. Cut your losses and get rid of it!!!!!

 

I stand corrected.It was the Cougar that shared the same drivetrain with the 626.windsoreight,it has an a/t light that will flash if a sensor has failed or will come on if the 4th gear has been disengaged.I didn't say it WAS his trans I said it MAY BE the trans.Don't try and make me look like an ***.

 

I just got an e-mail from my buddy who is the professor at the local Community College Automotive Program. He's willing to look at it and take care of the transmission, if necessary (someone I trust). First thing they will do is a proper diagnosis. It was not driven more than a mile before being parked. This occurred from a cold start on the way to school. So there may be some hope. Thanks.

Steve

 

Taurus's aren't exactly rare cars so you should be able to find a trans or a car with a bad engine and good trans for considerably less than $3,000. You do have to lower the whole subframe from the car to get the engine out so doing a swap at home can be a big problem, but it might also be a chance to convince your wife that you REALLY NEED that 4-post lift.



Rick B.

 

mkflanagan I wasn't trying to make you look like an *** but you were wrong. And a Taurus never flashed indicator lights to show a fault. That was an import deal. I am also service manager and a trans builder.

 

The last taurus I had stopped shifting and it was the transmission sensor, I had forgotten about it. The sensor stopped it from shifting out of first. It still is an expensive repair but less that $1,000.00. Good luck!
Bernie

 

Taurus with 3.8 eat transmissions and head gaskets. Usually around 100k. Sounds like you are right on schedule. This is one I would not buy used. Sorry, bummer.

 

Lots of good info here guys, thanks a bunch. I actually had a transmission buddy tell me this was likely the cause, but that typically they strip the plastic gear off the end of the sensor and necessitated a complete disassembly of the trans, likely the reason for the $1,000 repair you had done. Like I said, it seemed to be shifting good until it stopped all at once.

This one is a plain jane 3.0 liter, and the engine has been rock solid reliable. Well, except for the new water pump, the new alternator, uh the two new starters, the new radiator.....

Like I said earlier, lots of new parts, so it's mechanically sound. We'll see what the diagnosis is two weeks from now. Thanks guys.

Steve

 

Guess I won the lottery..??

Bill

 

Sure looks like it!