Symptoms of cracked piston head in ATX trans

[Blackdr16]

Hey guys. Still diagnoising my 94 ATX shifting issues. Whats the symptoms when your tranny piston head cracks? I just have slow shifts above 4K and it will not shift if floored. Had a tranny shop look at it, they said its fine but theres no way this thing is fine! I know some have refered me to replace the solenoids but I want to have a good idea what to look for if I start doing my own testing of it. Thanks :thankyou:

 

[Blackdr16]

BTW 130,000 on original trans. Had filter and fluid changed at 128,000

 

[rubydist]

in my experience, a cracked piston results in no engagement.

slow shifts are from sticking pistons or solenoid valves, generally, in my experience.

 

[Blackdr16]

How hard is it to change solenoids while trans in car? something I can buy from the parts store?? any tips from those who've done it before me?

 

[jelloslug]

BTW 130,000 on original trans. Had filter and fluid changed at 128,000

Did you do this before or after the current problem?

 

[Blackdr16]

Afterwards. I was trying to cover all my bases before going to more serious things :O

 

[rubydist]

How hard is it to change solenoids while trans in car? something I can buy from the parts store?? any tips from those who've done it before me?

it is a pain, but you can do it. they are under the cover on the left end of the trans, so you have to remove the left wheel, jack up the trans and remove the trans support piece, and then remove that cover.

 

[Blackdr16]

how many solenoids are there? A good brand to buy that everyone recommends?

 

[rubydist]

3 shift solenoids, one torque converter lockup solenoid, and one electric pressure control solenoid. if you go in there, replace them all. get the Ford parts.

 

[Blackdr16]

ok. anything else I may want to check while ive got the cover off?

 

[Blackdr16]

Just checked codes on it again and this time I got code 628. Excessive torque convertor slippage. Still think its solenoid related? Going to order all 5 solenoids soon if everybody thinks thats a good possibility. At least Ill know theyre good if I still have to do a rebuild down the road.

 

[projectSHO89]

If your TC has indeed been slipping, it's already toast.

 

[rubydist]

good chance the tc is toast, but worth a try since you need to fix the shift solenoids anyway.

 

[Blackdr16]

Thanks. Hope with new solenoids it will last a little longer till I can replace it. Any warnings about any parts that might fall off when I take the trans access cover off?

 

[projectSHO89]

Just fluid.

Access is incredibly tight without pulling the transmission.

Watch out for solenoid wire plugs that can go in more that one place. The EPC and TCC (I think) solenoid plugs can be swapped. Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[Blackdr16]

Ill do em one at a time. should I buy only from Ford or a good place that sells them that youve all had good luck with?