stray AX4N question

[batchman]

Howdy from an original Gen II guy.

I've recently picked up a 97 Continental, featuring our not-often-beloved AX4N transmission. For some background, I've been able to routinely get 28mpg from my MTX SHO by being old and by using neutral on the downhills. I had hoped to gain similar downhill freebies from the new Conti. No such luck.

Seems the controls think if there is speed indicated by the VSS, the motor should not be idling so it'll just go ahead and rev it up a bit when coasting in neutral. Freewheeling at 3k rpm doesn't really save gas.

OK, I think I can be smarter than your average sensor. So if I rig a relay triggered by the neutral safety switch, I should be able to short out the VSS and achieve idle while coasting.

Problem is, I have no freaking idea what the controls for the trans might think of that. The embedded system equivalent of the "GRENADE!" warning comes to mind, and I don't really want the trans to throw itself on the grenade in a moment of vehicular valor.

Realizing the logic may be completely different, I still wonder if any Gen III folks have had VSS failures and noticed anything odd in trans behavior?

Thanks for any thoughts, the Lincoln community just doesn't seem to have the same grasp as the SHO world
- Jeff

 

[93rev2sev]

hmm. the torque converter just isn't unlocking due to you being over 45MPH?

I would not modify it to operate differently...even if I could.

I imagine the transmission would start to get pretty unhappy about bringing the engine up to 2700RPM from idle when you shift back into gear...routinely.

 

[batchman]

Interesting point about converter lock. I figured it wasn't that since rpm goes UP when pushed to N.

Matching revs becomes 2nd nature when you go a year w/no clutch to speak of. Not as neat with a slushbox, but you can get the ballpark.

Searching further I thought this may be more of a gen II question as it seems G3's lack vss (thought the earlier ones had, but appears no?). Or better yet it IS a G3 question because as I search it appears the Conti lacks VSS as well - yikes.

Maybe the trans control is trying to be sure of rev match.

Just when you think it should be simple.... Problem is I've never really been one to leave well enough alone. Maybe now I'll learn.

Back to my little fog,
- Jeff

 

[SHOZ123]

In neutral the TC will be unlocked. More than likely too when coasting.

 

[rubydist]

Plus, when coasting after approx 3 sec. delay, the fuel is shut off to the injectors until the engine gets down to close to idle speed, so shifting to N doesn't save any gas at all....

 

[somedude_001]

Plus, when coasting after approx 3 sec. delay, the fuel is shut off to the injectors until the engine gets down to close to idle speed, so shifting to N doesn't save any gas at all....

+1

If you are into getting your hands dirty have you ever considered swapping your Lincoln to a manual transmission? If you don't hot rod your car and felt like diving into a project you COULD swap in the gear set from a 3.8 taurus and your highway mileage would increase significantly, but to do that the tranny has to come apart.

a bit of technical info on ford front drive transmissions

http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/Engine/Trans.html

transmission final drive chart

http://www.taurusclub.com/encyclopedia/Engine/AX4S.html

Would he be able to lower the "drive idle speed" with a Xcal tuner?

 

[batchman]

Plus, when coasting after approx 3 sec. delay, the fuel is shut off to the injectors until the engine gets down to close to idle speed, so shifting to N doesn't save any gas at all....

I'd agree except my Gen II experience has been the drag on freewheeling with the injector shutdown is big. I can coast much further in neutral.

If you are into getting your hands dirty have you ever considered swapping your Lincoln to a manual transmission? If you don't hot rod your car and felt like diving into a project you COULD swap in the gear set from a 3.8 taurus and your highway mileage would increase significantly, but to do that the tranny has to come apart.

You read my mind? I made sure to buy the Continental version with the console and buckets, just so if I had the opportunity (like blowing up the ax4n) it'd be within the range of possible to put my SHO's rebuilt and quaiffed box in there . I do worry what the behavior above (rev up in coast) means to that prospect, more than I worry about reworking the mounts and hanging pedals.

The gear change is an interesting thought. Changing the current 3.56 to the 3.19 could make much of the difference I'm after. The motor definitely has the torque. Now, will the 3.19 gear fit in a Gen II MTX?

Thanks, and keep LOL'ing,
- Jeff

 

[Tecchie]

Hey guys, real quick, I only have a Gen2 SHO, but a regular 96 Taurus and I have the AX4S in both cars.. my SHO TC unlocks fully when I put her into neutral at any speed...

The Taurus G however (1996) the TC stays locked a little until I rev the engine and I can feel it unlock and the RPM's go down to idle even at 70mph+... I can put it back into gear with no problems at that speed, no slamming, just a pretty smooth engagement..

for what it's worth I have 207k on my 95 SHO and 197k on my 96 G...

 

[batchman]

The Taurus G however (1996) the TC stays locked a little until I rev the engine and I can feel it unlock and the RPM's go down to idle

Things that make you say, "Hmmmm" -

I tried goosing the gas a little after hitting neutral and letting it settle at ~2k. Sure enough the TC -was- "locked a little". Felt like the twitch made it let go, but the motor did not settle to an idle. Two starts later I've got a SES ...

We'll see.

Thanks for listening
- Jeff

 

[SHOZ123]

Touching the brake pedal enough to activate the BOO switch will unlock the converter too.

When the rpm drops below ~1200 the FIs should turn back on if they were turned off.