Transmission not staying in gear

[dlanes]

Alright, haven't posted in awhile but here's the situation... The car just got the transmission line fixed 2 weeks ago. They had to replace part of the hard line with rubber hose because of corrosion etc. Earlier today car was driving fine and then it's like the torque convertor unlocked. When car was restarted it went into gear and drove through all just fine then it pops out of gear after a minute or two. I'm thinking the rubber transmission line is getting kinked somewhere causing a pressure issue because it starts sounding like a power steering pump low on fluid when the gear issue happens.


Car is a 1997 Ford SHO with about 151k on it.

 

[dlanes]

Same issue as http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=122960

 

[Allmostall]

transmission selector switch

 

[dlanes]

Yeah going to try the mlp/trs aka "neutral safety switch" at the local parts store. Hope it's the culprit because it's $92 =/

 

[dlanes]

I guess it was not the sensor, although it drove fine for like 10 miles then it started acting up again... Looks like time to put a new transmission in


I forgot to mention it drove fine until the o/d light started to flash and then it went out of gear once again. I also talked to a friend master ford tech and he said something in the valve body tends to go, but insisted on getting a rebuilt or good used trans.

 

[stephen newberg]

I think your friend is right. The best bet is to get a rebuild done by someplace you know does good work or has an excellent rep. Automatic transmissions are the ultimate in moving parts devices for cars, and no moving parts device lasts forever.

pax, smn

 

[dlanes]

Yeah, anyone know the differences to look for specifically? They used the AX4N in several cars from 95-07, such as will one from another 97' taurus work? Cheapest found locally was $150.

 

[TimboSHO]

The starter mounts differently on the Vulcan Taurus'. You will need one from a Duratec or SHO. The Duratec trans isn't quite as strong as the SHO trans, and may have a different final drive as well. Your best bet is another SHO trans. If you are able to remove it yourself, the cost of a rebuild might be similar to finding the correct used trans with unknown history.

 

[stephen newberg]

Th AXN4 used in the Gen III SHO is unique to that model. Others with the same designator are not the same transmission. As Tim notes above, it you are looking to replace rather than rebuild, you will want to find one from an SHO, as it is designed to take the output from the motor and stay intact. If you use some other version, you will be replacing it again very shortly.

pax, smn

 

[dlanes]

Thanks guys

 

[gdwordsmith]

The AX4N had 2 T.S.B. one with the forward slave retaining clip and would code several codes, and one of the pump and filter issue, you might try a fluid flush with an on board machine that flushes converter and trans, if it seems to heat up and go out of gear after a short time, than doing a service (a real flush and filter) could possibly help. Maybe get another 50 k plus miles. Something to consider.