Got another problem CEL

[BooleanShootin]

This forum has been very helpful in solving problems. Now, the 98 contour with duratec v6 and automatic has a new problem. During the summer the transmission was shifting hard when in heavy traffic and while it had other codes showing. The 2 front O2 sensors were changed and the codes went away, but every once in a while the transmission would still shift hard. Then, the weather changed to fall and the CEL came on again. I went to autozone and they scanned for the code and it came up P1744

Their info says the problem is either low fluid or failed transmission due to excessive slippage during normal driving. 16,000 miles ago, AAMCO had done the flush and fill. I remember the guy trying to convince me that all their additives were beneficial. The transmission had never acted funny before they monkeyed with it. He also claimed that they had lots of problems with the contours transmissions.

Could this be a simple matter of changing the fluid? Have all their AAMCO BS additives ruined it?

 

[Tony2005]

.... Then, the weather changed to fall and the CEL came on again. I went to autozone and they scanned for the code and it came up P1744

Their info says the problem is either low fluid or failed transmission due to excessive slippage during normal driving. 16,000 miles ago, AAMCO had done the flush and fill. I remember the guy trying to convince me that all their additives were beneficial. The transmission had never acted funny before they monkeyed with it. He also claimed that they had lots of problems with the contours transmissions.
..................Have all their AAMCO BS additives ruined it?

No. How many miles on the tranny?

Your tranny was probably already on the way out. You may want to try another 3X fluid change and hope for the best.
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=41


Or you may want get the Torque Converter fixed ($$$).

 

[projectSHO89]

Your valve body had worn out and has fried the torque converter.

AAMCO didn't have anything to do with the lousy Ford design.

Steve

 

[BooleanShootin]

Thanks, it has 116,000 and had flushes every 30,000. It drives fine for having a serious problem. It isnt in limp home mode, if I have that right - turn the key and listen for fuel pump, I hear that.

 

[projectSHO89]

It probably drives okay much of the time except you no longer TCC lockup, then, after extended highway driving, it probably starts its harsh shifting. Turning the engine off and restarting it will reset the PCM's limp mode until the fault is detected again.

Again, it's a design flaw by Ford. The cure is usuallu a new "improved" valve body and a new torque converter. Add in an external cooler for insurance.

Steve