94 ATX slow up (1-2) shifting

[Blackdr16]

Anybody have any suggestions on anything to try before I diagnois my tranny as needing a rebuild? It shifts great on down shifts and shifts ok when Im driving average, but once i stomp it it will get to 7K and tranny will shift out of 1st and wont shift to 2nd till I let off pedal. Ive read posts from others with this issue, some have said it is PCM related? Im guessing its mechanical but any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks! :thankyou:

 

[Blackdr16]

BTW 128,000 on car.

 

[SHOtimer]

Original trans? When was your last fluid change? How does the fluid look?

If you don't let off the gas does it bang into gear eventually?

Doug

 

[Blackdr16]

Original Trans, just bought the car Friday so havent changed fluid. doubt the previous owner did. I have not held the pedal down for more than 2 seconds when it comes out of gear, afraid to break anything but I can try it. Havent seen fluid color yet, will check today when I get out of work

 

[Blackdr16]

just checked fluid. Red, doesnt smell burnt. a little low, maybe 1/2 qt. I added Seafoam trans additive. will see if it helps. BTW, Doug, if I keep pedal to floor it will not shift no matter how long I hold it down. The REV limiter just kicks in. Held it there for about 5 seconds.

 

[SHOtimer]

Does it drive normally otherwise?

Have you checked the codes? The trans will throw codes without lighting the check engine light.

Here is how to check:http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...le=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=83

Doug

 

[Blackdr16]

I have not checked codes, check engine light is on but engine runs great. It has good power and does not hesitate, when i stomp to floor it downshifts perfect but wont ever shift once i get to that high 6's or 7K range. I just realized it wont shift up on any gear when RPM up that high. Will check codes as soon as I get a chance. What are you thinking it could be?

 

[Blackdr16]

Im getting error code 327

 

[intimdatr]

EGR Circuit Below Minimum Voltage

 

[Blackdr16]

shouldnt affect trans right? Also O/D off button doesnt work. Ovedrive does kick in

 

[SHOtimer]

No, the EGR shouldn't affect the trans, but is a problem that should be addressed.

Usually once ATX's get this old and start exhibiting problems, generally a rebuild or replacement is the option.

When mine went I replaced it with a rebuilt Ford unit and installed it myself. They have a 3 year unlimited mile warranty, hard to beat that.

Doug

 

[tommyturbo]

look into your solenoids. I bought a 95 ATX, it had some wierd shift issues. replaced the vss, and tps, but it was still doing odd things like

refusing to downshift by stepping on the gas, but would downshift if od off button pushed

od off button made trans shift from 1-2 but not into 3rd or if at speed it would not lock it out

and some odd shifts

a new solenoid pack, flush and trans seems very happy.

I've noticed on mine, if I go wide open throttle, foot to the floor, the 1-2 shift is long and drawn out, the computer actually does cut power via turning off fuel and spark, to try and put less load on the trans when 2nd engages. it generally is soft by most standards. However if you go almost wide open, it will still shift at red line and the shift is much firmer, enough to chirp the tires.

 

[Blackdr16]

thanks for the input. Im going to have a transmission shop guy test drive it soon. I drove almost 200 miles tonight with that seafoam trans additive and now my shifts are very hard and firm, but still wont shift when i redline. Also the O/D off light is flashing on and off on dash.Just started tonight. Restarted car, still is flashing. Anyone ever seen this? Im going to search forum as soon as i update this.

 

[tommyturbo]

means you have trans fault codes, pull them and report back. I don't trust fix's in a bottle...

 

[Blackdr16]

will check tomorrow. thanks tommy. will let you all know what i find. From searching posts not too good looking when that light starts flashing

 

[SHOtimer]

Also the O/D off light is flashing on and off on dash.Just started tonight. Restarted car, still is flashing.

You have a transmission code. Pull the codes again, something else will be there.

I also don't like those 'bottle' fixes.

Let us know what the shop says :wave:

Doug

 

[Blackdr16]

Thanks Doug, thought id try one last thing, maybe clean some valves up before dropping pan. Maybe its a good thing tax returns coming soon....prob rebuild time. Let you know what codes i pull.

 

[SHOtimer]

I used one once, right before my original transmission died. When it is on the way out, there is no harm trying something cheap in a plastic container!

But, that is also how we learn what we like or don't like, based on what it does.

Mine started shifting hard and would go into OD very prematurely..once I dumped that stuff in.

Doug

 

[nickdodd25]

Yep, you sound like how i did a year ago.. the trans in my ATX went but i had no overdirve, aka, no 4th gear. so i had only 1-3rd gear. If you plan on getting it rebuilt, may as well get it done and get a full rebuild, oh and a bottle of seafoam tuneup dont do a dam thing....experece there! :angelnot:

 

[Blackdr16]

Ok, so just had my local transmission shop look at it. Says the MLB sensor (neutral safety) switch went bad. Going to check it over more when I take it to him in 2 weeks. Already been down the road of tranny replacement in my other car, think ill let someone else have the joy of changing parts and fixin it this time. Thanks for the help everyone. Hopin thats all the problem is (not counting on it tho) :O