Transmission Temperatures...

[mrbamcclain]

I'm having issues with my transmission maintaining a constant temperature and fluid level. Here's the back story to what's going on. Sorry for the long post....in advance.

Ok, I paid a visit to Doug last month and while there he replaced my tranny cooler with a newer one and did a fluid change. On the way home the first few hours, the temperature stayed cool around 140. About halfway home the temperature starts rising up over 200 and climbing. I pull off top off the gas and reflash the PCM since I'm thinking maybe I'm having TC issues.
Ok, fast forward so I don't make this too long. I was having leaks on the ground so I take the car to a tranny shop and they check and all the lines on the new cooler are loose and leaking. Have them change the lines put new clamps and flush the system again.

Road trip yesterday and I'm running hot again. Checked fluid level, put in a quart and started home today. Run hot yet again, this time hit the 300 mark and O/D light starts flashing. Stop and check the level again and drop another quart. Cools off the last 30 miles home.

Now I know I should do another flush and filter. Is there somewhere fluid may escape other than the lines or pan? I've verified that everything is buttoned up nicely and the pan isn't leaking either.

 

[SHOZ123]

If the vent is plugged then it may come out the dipstick tube. Otherwise it is probably the TC seal due to overheating.

There is a TSB for the vent and a newer designed one available.

 

[mrbamcclain]

Paul do you have a link for that TSB? What was the best TC you ran in your car?

 

[SHOZ123]

The TSB is for +2000 MY it seems. http://www.taurusclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=51551

I have used several aftermarket rebuilt TCs. None ever gave me any problems.

 

[Racer X]

Is your TC locking up at all? If the TC is unlocked on a long trip, fluid temps can skyrocket over time.

Failing that, have you tried to go back to a stock tune?

 

[Racer X]

Is your TC locking up at all? If the TC is unlocked on a long trip, fluid temps can skyrocket over time.

Failing that, have you tried to go back to a stock tune?

 

[SHOZ123]

Having plenty of experience with a non locking TC it will not cause the temps to go to the 300F zone that illuminates the flashing OD light. Drove for two years with the 3.98 gears before getting a tune that would allow it to lock. This was out to California and back for the convention. Worst I saw was 250F with spirited up hill driving in the mountains.

 

[Racer X]

I don't know Paul, driving my 93 with a TC that wouldn't lock (same deal with a different ratio) caused my transmission to fail eventually.

 

[mrbamcclain]

I've returned to stock, reflashed with a stock tune from Paul and even tried the custom tune from Paul. All with the same results. I am getting the P1744 code though. On a trip about 45 miles today temps hit 295 and I pulled off a minute to check my levels. Seemed low again. Thinking maybe pull the TC and have a look or just replace it all together.

 

[SHOZ123]

I don't know Paul, driving my 93 with a TC that wouldn't lock (same deal with a different ratio) caused my transmission to fail eventually.

Well as bad as the AX4N is it's not as bad as the AX4S.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've returned to stock, reflashed with a stock tune from Paul and even tried the custom tune from Paul. All with the same results. I am getting the P1744 code though. On a trip about 45 miles today temps hit 295 and I pulled off a minute to check my levels. Seemed low again. Thinking maybe pull the TC and have a look or just replace it all together.

Every time my tranny has failed it started by the TC unlocking. This only went on for a few miles until the tranny would neutral and leave me along the road dead.

But if it has been going on for some time I would suspect the TC. Can't say as I've ever had one fail that was not the OEM one.

 

[mrbamcclain]

The company I had do my rebuild last summer I had my concerns about since I had to have it towed back home after about 5000 miles and have it gone through again since I was left stranded when a one of the shafts inside the tranny let go.

Where can I source a good TC? I see shosource has one, but they are a bit pricey and I'm unsure of the different levels.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've had good luck with this company's rebuilds.

Makco Distributing, Inc.
3810 Melcer Dr.# 102
Rowlett TX 75088

F68ESHO is the part number.

 

[mrbamcclain]

Update....

Ok, I put in a new TQ from Makco. Took her out on a quick 100 mile round trip ride and the temperatures rose yet again. I made sure to top the system with Mobil 1 synthetic. 13 quarts. Any other ideas what could be the problem? Shop said the valve body and all insides looked good when the tranny was dropped.

On a side note, had them change out the tranny and rear motor mounts. Wanted to charge another hour of labor to do a 5 minute job. :laugh_ti:
Slipped the guy in the bay at 10 and it was in.

 

[SHOZ123]

Is it locking up?

Do you have the original factory cooling system hard lines?

Is the radiator still in the fluid cooling loop?

What kind of cooler?

 

[mrbamcclain]

I'm not sure it's even locking up now. I'm gonna go out and take a spin and pull the codes to see if I'm still getting the unlock code or not.
But it's to my understanding if running at a consistent speed say with the cruise set and I tap the brakes, the TQ should unlock and rpms should raise 2-300 before the drop in speed and rpm, correct? That being the case, it's not doing that at all. Rpms just drop like the load is taking a dump.

Factory lines were removed and the new brass fittings put in place.

Radiator is removed from the loop.

Unsure of the cooler, something new Doug put in when I went to the shop in November. I had one of his older units prior to going in. He says the new one is supposedly better.

 

[bad_4dr_sho]

I ran my tranny lines first through the radiator and then through the external cooler, double cooling. It might be your external cooler alone isnt enough.

 

[stephen newberg]

I am using the external cooler only and it works just fine. Temp ranges using it have dropped 10-20 degrees under where they were for about the same load and external ambient temps.

pax, smn

 

[SHOZ123]

The problem appears to be the TC not locking.

 

[mrbamcclain]

I took a trip last night and the 50 miles or so out the temps rose to 156 and remained in a 5 degree range there through out.
Then on the way back, temps rocketed again up to around 220-230.
I'm not getting any codes for the TQ failing to lock.