forward/reverse clutch piston replacement

[Whip]

hello all ! i know this is kinda off topic but you atx guys out there prolly have run across this on your sho's before and im kinda stuck. i am gonna be moving back to massachusetts in 3 weeks. i have a 95 ford windstar 3.8 with an axode tranny. and i think the forward/reverse clutch piston is cracked. just wondering if there was a way to check to see if there is any codes for the transmission, my cel is not on but my od light flashes. and was wondering if i could replace it myself or is it a pita? i posted this on here cause i dont know of any other place to ask! or maybe someone can point me in the right direction


thanks in advance !

 

[SHOtimer]

When the OD light flashes it means the computer has stored a code. You can pull the tranny codes the same way you pull the motor codes - there is one there even though the C/E light is not on. The CE light only illuminates with certain codes.

Only way to fix a cracked tranny piston is a complete rebuild.

Doug

 

[Rockledge]

If the Windstar is OBD-II, then a basic code reader won't read the tranny codes, it has to be certain kind of scanner that even a lot of shops don't have.

 

[Whip]

yes it is obd-II and thats what i figured. i had a code that was for a misfire on bank 6. that was just a spark plug . but it spit out no other codes. will autozone or advanced auto have something that will read the codes for the tranny? or is it better to go to a tranny shop to have it looked at ?


thanks for reply guys

 

[Rockledge]

Tranny shop.

 

[Whip]

Sweet !

 

[projectSHO89]

The 95 Windstar had an AX4S, not an AXODE transmission. A cracked forward piston has a pretty specific set of symptoms. What are you encountering?

FWIW, this is the exact fault my 94 had that made it necessary to to do a rebuild on it.

A decent scan tool will read the P1000 (manufacture's pspecific) series of codes.

Steve

 

[Rockledge]

A decent scan tool will read the P1000 (manufacture's pspecific) series of codes.

The problem with a '95 Windstar is that it is not fully OBD-II compliant. That was a transition year. Just like the Ranger.

 

[Whip]

it is fine in first and reverse it does not slip in those gears. it winds up then kinda slides into 2nd not like a slip but a dragging kinda feeling. does the same in third and seems like it goes into od ok but seems like the tourqe coverter does not fully lockup. the od light does not blink when i am off the gas it seems to blink just as i get into it.and seems to flash faster when i am more on the gas. i can take it out of od just fine and the light does not flash.i know it needs a tranny service the filter is prolly clogged and the tranny fluid smells burnt and it is black also. i know if it is something simple i am gonna need a complete tranny flush not just dropping the pan and changing fluid and adding some fresh fluids into a dirty tranny. i was looking around on some forums thats why i was thinking it was that piston but i also heard that it might be the vss or gear selector sensor. or just a plain tranny flush not to sure need to find a tranny shop that has a scan tool to find the codes for the tranny


thanks in advance

 

[projectSHO89]

The problem with a '95 Windstar is that it is not fully OBD-II compliant. That was a transition year. Just like the Ranger.

If it's OBD-II, a good scan tool should still read it.

A cracked forward piston usually manifests itself by:

Cold fluid, may shift correctly into 1st or reverse. Once warmed up, delayed, then bang shift into 1st or reverse. Rolling down-shifts from 2-1 when hot often end up in neutral. Race engein, it may slam into gear.

Based on your description, a complete rebuild with a new TC is going to be required. That burned black fluid means your frictions are gone (as in toasted).

Steve

 

[Rockledge]

If it's OBD-II, a good scan tool should still read it.

Not necessarily, Steve. The EEC connector for these "transition" vehicles is under the dash and looks like your typical OBD-II connector. However, a lot of the pins that you'd normally expect to find do not exist in the connector. It's pobably better described here:

http://www.obdii.com/connector.html

As you might expect, these pins are associated with the more advanced monitoring capabilities of OBD-II over a broader range of systems.

In fact, lots of people with '95 Fords have trouble even finding a code reader that will pull the basic codes, let alone the more sophisticated ones.

 

[Whip]

so what should i do ?
i dont want to go and pull the tranny and get it rebuilt. if it just a simple vss or some other sensor. im leaving for mass in less than 3 weeks. there is a cottman transmission shop not to far from my house. im gonna call them and see if they can scan it for codes. is there any symptons to look for?. when it is hot it shifts fine into first and reverse no slamming at all. it just seems to take for ever to shift into 2nd and 3rd. the engine whines up before it shifts. but it does go in. i can get on it when it does and it does not slip.

any suggestions would be helpfull
thanks in advance

 

[Mr Anonymous]

so what should i do ?
i dont want to go and pull the tranny and get it rebuilt. if it just a simple vss or some other sensor. im leaving for mass in less than 3 weeks. there is a cottman transmission shop not to far from my house. im gonna call them and see if they can scan it for codes. is there any symptons to look for?. when it is hot it shifts fine into first and reverse no slamming at all. it just seems to take for ever to shift into 2nd and 3rd. the engine whines up before it shifts. but it does go in. i can get on it when it does and it does not slip.

any suggestions would be helpfull
thanks in advance

Steve has pretty much covered it for you as did Joe early on: your tranny needs to be rebuilt. Not a flush, nor a VSS, etc. but a rebuild. Sorry.

The forward clutch piston is probably fine and is the least of your worries. The tranny is burned up inside.

 

[Whip]

im just gonna tow it back to mass on a trailer and get it fixed up there

thanks for all the help