Auto Trans problems

Mitcon · 18-07-2006, 05:29 PM

Hi all, I'm new to the forums but just thought I would ask if many folks have had problems with the auto trans. I've a 99 fairmont ghia and it's done about 170 thou and it's just started playing up. Kind of slipping and shifting roughly here and there.

Any thoughts or am I most likely looking at a full rebuild ? Any others had simular problems ?

bodes-sh · 18-07-2006, 05:42 PM

the first thing would be to find out when it was last serviced, if it hasnt had it done for a while either take it somewhere or get a auto trans service kit and some fluid and change it. the other thing to check is the fluid level, apparently these autos shift badly if the fluid level isnt spot on

AU2PWR · 18-07-2006, 05:47 PM

yeah sounds like a Fluid problem , look at the Box under the car for any leaks!

Mitcon · 18-07-2006, 06:05 PM

Trans was and is serviced yearly, and I pride myself on having zero fluid leaks. Just had the steering rack replaced because of a very slight leak. Man, these ghia's are more trouble than they are worth. Just had to replace the ABS/traction control EUC's also. Why do nice modern cars have to be such money pits

Mitcon · 18-07-2006, 06:08 PM

No leaks, car was just serviced 4 days ago. Had a stack of money thrown at it (like about 4k I think) and then was given a clean bill of health.

JC · 18-07-2006, 07:09 PM

The BTRs are good for about 150k, so 170k is a good innings if it's the original box.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 18-07-2006, 07:37 PM

could be a solanoid - looking at roughly $300 to fix

burnzie · 18-07-2006, 11:33 PM

Take my advise and get it sorted and dont put it off as it costs a hell of alot more after the fact... just had mine replaced.

Racecraft · 19-07-2006, 04:44 AM

try a full flush not just a service... might get you another 20-30 000 kays out of it..

**Mechan1k** · 19-07-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

The BTRs are good for about 150k, so 170k is a good innings if it's the original box.

Ahhh ... I didn't know that.
I have 180K on mine so far ... and it's still going ... but needs a service every 15-20,000km though ... in otherwords ... every 3 months at the moment.

I will be giving it a flush next time ... and then I will be saving pennies for a strengthened BTR.

davocol · 19-07-2006, 10:52 AM

I have gone well over 300 on some btrs and 150 on others, I think it all depends on the servicing. I know that Ford don't change the filter when they service the auto, I would suggest taking it to a reputable trans place and get it looked at. Get a proper service done.

EF302 · 19-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

The BTRs are good for about 150k, so 170k is a good innings if it's the original box.

youve got to be kidding, ive seen taxi's with the orig box with easy half a million k's. cant be right, mines on 190 no probs as yet. cross fingersl lol

I6corp · 19-07-2006, 08:11 PM

I think he ment without a service EF302

EF302 · 19-07-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I6corp

I think he ment without a service EF302

surely anyone would service a brand new vehicle befor 150,000k. they need a service every 20k.

mik · 19-07-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocol

I have gone well over 300 on some btrs and 150 on others, I think it all depends on the servicing. I know that Ford don't change the filter when they service the auto, I would suggest taking it to a reputable trans place and get it looked at. Get a proper service done.

why would ford not change the filter??????????

Free347 · 19-07-2006, 10:16 PM

Box went on my Ghia at 145000 (always serviced), same symptoms - band had stripped and rooted things big time.

Mitcon · 19-07-2006, 10:41 PM

Will be getting it looked at tomorrow, has got alot worse indeed in just 2 days. Almost unable to drive around hilly areas with corners. Trans is just slipping in and out with 2nd-3rd and then 3rd - 4th big time and when it sfits it's not smooth at that. Think it's going to be a new trans or time to junk the car. And when the trans is serviced it was flushed and new filters, not just a sump drain and top'd up.

I just get frustrated when I know people who trash their cars, never service them and they get a much better run out of them than I do. Guess thats life.

EF302 · 19-07-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Free347

Box went on my Ghia at 145000 (always serviced), same symptoms - band had stripped and rooted things big time.

geez thats prety low k's. was it on a stock engine?
i might start being a bit nicer to mine

Sleeperau · 20-07-2006, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

The BTRs are good for about 150k, so 170k is a good innings if it's the original box.

No way JC. I respect we have debated about different topics but NO! I agree with EF 302. I have a work collegue who use to run 20 taxis(still owns an EB II with over 1 million km's). His comments were 300k, that is "flog it out taxis". I service the gearbox oil every 25k on the Au (weird I know) but my EF has had only 4 changes at 240k & is fine(not recommended). I think your car is short on oil & needs a flush, filter & oil change. Pm Racecraft, p :togo: lenty of Km's should be left in it.

AU-MUSTD · 20-07-2006, 06:16 AM

Mine is strong as an ox after 180,000 kays and it's a daily tower. I think if you treat them right they will get to 300,000 no troubles but with everything theres always a bad egg in the bunch.

bazz · 20-07-2006, 10:17 AM

After a transmission service, the car needs to be driven a few days, then have the fluid level rechecked. The new fluid will settle down as it infiltrates the transmission, meaning the fluid level might be low.

Roughly three weeks before I serviced my transmission, I found out my transmission fluid was around 0.5L too low, despite previously serviced by a Ford dealership.

Last week I performed a DIY transmission service; while the service manual said the transmission box requires 4L of oil, I was only able to pump in around 3.5L of oil before it overflowed back out the filler hole. I took the car for a 5km test drive, then removed the filler plug, however the transmission oil still overflowed back out the filler hole.

Two days ago I got back under the car and pumped in an extra 0.5L of transmission oil to finally fill her up properly. I don't know why, but the oil takes abit of time to settle down.

Shifting was quite bad when it was low on oil, especially when cold. It drives beautifully again now.

Mitcon · 20-07-2006, 01:49 PM

Had it looked at today, seems the trans is totally stuffed they reckon. Going to try to see if I can get a low km trans as I just can't afford a new or a recon atm. Thanks for your thoughts and input folks.

**Mechan1k** · 20-07-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitcon

Had it looked at today, seems the trans is totally stuffed they reckon. Going to try to see if I can get a low km trans as I just can't afford a new or a recon atm. Thanks for your thoughts and input folks.

If you are located in Melbourne ... speak to LG ... I am sure he had a top condition 2nd hand unit for sale at a decent price.

Mitcon · 20-07-2006, 07:32 PM

I'm in Adelaide (S.A) but I found a low Km (under 80 thou) unit thats meant to be in good order. It's meant to be just under $900, I'm hoping it's a very dang good unit for that kind of money though I don't really know what they normally sell for. I'm told thats a fair to good price here.

They were going to re-con my trans which I would prefer but that was looking to be over $2000 and to be honest I just don't have the money so I'm not really left with much choice.