93 ATX Shifting Woes

[mclarida]

I am new to the forum-Joined about 2 weeks ago out of curiosity at first-but now out of necessity. I have a 93 Atx with just over 120K and have done all of the normal maintenance. All is good with the motor(with the exception of a killer oil leak at the right rear of the motor-valve cover gasket mis alignment). My problem is the tranny.The transmission is not slipping-it has a slight glitch after shifting onto 2nd gear in the higher rpms(say 4850 to redline). It does a little skip back to first-briefly-then onto second. Thats it. No slippage-no over heating of the tranny fluid-no hard shifts at all. I have changed the fluid and filter at least 3 times. I have purchased a new vss and will install tonight. Any suggestions other than "take it to a tranny shop and have them give it to ya in the rear" will be most helpful. I am keeping the car-it has a lot to offer-plus I paid $2200. green for it. Not bad -
M

 

[ohfosho]

pull your codes and they will tell you if the VSS is malfunctioning...mine was.
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm

 

[SHOtimer]

IMHO, that does not sound like a VSS problem (and good luck installing it). I would change the filter and fluid (not power flush it), but that sounds like the manifestation of a transmission that is starting to wear out. I would be careful with it and not race it too hard and you can get a lot more life out of it. Or get it rebuilt now, before it gets worse.....but that is what is in the future.

Doug

 

[JTSHO]

yep, I have to agree with shotimer my old 93 GL starting having similar symptoms about 10k before it bit the dust. I actually went the same route as you thinking the vss is "possibly" bad. It would kinda skip back and forth between 1st and 2nd for a second kindof hunting for the gear. good luck with it. :corn:

 

[shomesomesho]

It's just a matter of time . . .

Start looking for a Ford factory rebuilt unit that carries
the 3 year / 36,000 mi warranty ($1700 minus labor).

I had an ATX that ran fine for a couple months, then had
the same symptoms you describe. Shortly thereafter, it
wouldn't shift into 2nd unless I let off the throttle. Then
after that it couldn't make up its mind whether it was in
1st or 2nd. What a fun ride that was.
Actually, come to think of it, I had more fun
sticking in the rebuilt tranny than I did driving that thing.

 

[mclarida]

Thanks for all the great info. I always knew that trannies were a weak link for Ford. I have had 3 Mustangs with multiple replacements on all three. You would think that some kind of testing was done before they(Ford) sent these cars out for sale to the public. I will wait till it gets pretty bad. Until then, I will keep my eyes peeled for a rebuilt doner car. Thanks -M