Weird ATX Trans issue

[Troubled93]

Ok, So I have this weird issue going on with my transmission and I am completely out of ideas. So when I start my car and drive it cold it shifts through the gears just fine. But after the car running for awhile and the trans fluid getting warm the car will not shift into 3rd or 4th gear. So first things I check are the trans fluid and it shows in the crosshatch section of the dipstick and that is checking it while running in park. I let it run for about a half hour and see no fluid on the ground and no drips from the trans pan area...

I have not yet dropped the pan and checked the filter/gasket on the trans pan. Now when its cold and it shifts it shifts fine, no slipping, no hard shifts just like normal but after it gets warm it will go into drive, reverse, and will shift into 2nd but wont go into 3rd or 4th....

Any thoughts? Ideas?

 

[SHO1]

:violin: Can't help w/the auto, but may be time to make it an mtx.

 

[whiteman_01]

Kind of sounds like my volvo. You could drive it for about 10 miles just fine, but once it got up to temp, you would loose the trans. Let it cool for 10 min or so, and you could drive another 10 miles or so.

Hate to say it, but i would think the trans is junk. Maybe time to pick up an MTX?

 

[VortecGT]

Look up AX4S forward clutch Piston. That is what has most likely failed. If you have the original trans it is made out of aluminum, ford now sells replacement steel pistons to fix this.

 

[Troubled93]

Vortec have you replace one of these before?

 

[projectSHO89]

When you say it won't go into 3rd or 4th, you need to be more specific. Does it drop into neutral or does it stay engaged in 2nd gear. Big difference... A bad forward clutch piston will cause it to drop into neutral when the fluid gets hot and when it is in certain gears.

To replace the forward clutch piston requires a complete removal and tear-down to replace, Basically, rebuild the transmission. Yes, I've done it on my 94.

 

[Troubled93]

Sorry for not being clear. The transmission DOES NOT drop into neutral, it remains in 2nd gear. Usually takes about 30 mins before it happens

 

[VortecGT]

Vortec have you replace one of these before?

Yes sir, mine was an original '93 aluminum piston. It had a hairline crack in it.

 

[Troubled93]

Well I have a 94 ATX for a parts car and the transmission in that shifts like a champ. Is the transmission in the 94 fully compatible for an easy swap? Well as easy as a SHO project can be lol... it should be just a pull and swap correct?

 

[projectSHO89]

The 94 ATX is a direct swap.

 

[VortecGT]

don't forget to swap torque converters too!

 

[Troubled93]

i have no clue exactly what I am doing but i will figure it out i guess lol... I am printing out the guide in the how to section about removing a transmission so that will be my only assistance lol...

 

[projectSHO89]

don't forget to swap torque converters too!

Good catch. I forgot to include that detail.