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O/D Light Issue, Transmission Seems Solid

G

Griffon

CEG'er
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
74
I have a 97 ford contour gl. Automatic Transmission, four cylinder engine. The car has 118k miles. I've searched through many other posts regarding the o/d light flashing however my problem seems a bit different. Most peoples problems seem to be with the 2/4 band, though I think my car has both gears.

I will drive the car normally and the speedometer works perfectly. The car does seem to take a while to shift into second gear. The rpms will climb before it does a hard shift. If I let off the gas the car has an easy time shifting into second gear. After that the car seems to get into the gears ok. The O/D light will start flashing within the first 10-15 minutes of driving, always. I remember reading about two sensors, one is a vehicle speed sensor and the other one I cannot seem to find, but I believe it was called a transmission range sensor. Does it sound like the range sensor is my problem? If it's an easy swap out swap in part I will just change it out, but I have never heard of this before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
When was the last time the tranny fluid was changed? What is the ATFluid condition and level?
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...992476&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1

There are actually 3 sensors. Vehicle Speed sensor, Turbine Shaft speed sensor and Manual Lever Position Sensor (aka transmission range sensor). As the speedometer is working fine, it is probably not the Vehicle speed sensor. It sounds more like the TSS. But the only way to know is to have the transmission codes read and post it here. Sometimes the codes are stored and you can just take it to Autozone or Advance to get the CEL codes read (free). Post the codes here.

Now, bear in mind if you order online or go to a dealer, the TSS is also called a vehicle speed sensor. You just need to tell them it is the Turbine shaft speed sensor. This sensor is locate on side of the transmission. If you turn the steering all the way to the right, you should be able to see it behind the drivers side front wheel. Instruction to change it out is located in the link below.
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=20744&highlight=turbine
 
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I bought this car used and I am not sure when the last time the transmission fluid was changed. I pulled the dipstick out, it's the first time I've ever checked the trans fluid level. I was a bit confused with the dipstick, aside from it being curved at the end, the markings are odd. I see a x-pattern end towards the tip of the dipstick and then it reads do not fill in this area. It has an arrow pointing to the x pattern part. So where in the world should the fluid go up to? And how do I check the condition? I would assume that the fluid should go into the x pattern part, but I guess I could be wrong. The fluid on the stick looks pretty clean to me, a bit pinkish almost.

As far as posting codes... I took the car to Autozone and they said that there obd II scanner wasn't good enough because it needs to be connected to a computer with certain software to read transmission codes or something along those lines. I am going to take it into advance auto parts tomorrow (monday) and post back. If for some reason Advance can't do it, do you have any more suggestions on places to go?
 
Fluid should be to the top of the hatched area (not over it). Color should be clear pink/red.

As for the codes, a transmission shop should be able to read the codes (probably $100).
 
I checked the fluid, it is more of a dirty pink/red. It's definitely not bright pink or red, there is a good influence of brown in the color. The level looks healthy though. It actually seems to streak over the hashed mark considerably. Almost as if it was topped off too much. I don't really want to pay the $100 dollars just to check the code, so maybe I can have them flush my coolant and scan my car at the same time? I am REALLY tight on cash.

I actually replaced the sensor that was located behind the drivers side wheel. I guess the Trans. range sensor. (the white sensor that is a newer version of the stock one.) That didn't seem to help any, but hey it's a new sensor! I am going to guess and say the problem is now the vehicle speed sensor.

At first I thought everyone meant that the actual speed of the vehicle on the gauge wouldn't be accurate. I think I misinterpreted. It seems like the car doesn't know what speed it is going and searching for what gear to be in. I am going to post a video up of what the car is doing in a very short while.
 
If your speedo reads correctly, then you have no issues with the VSS. The O/D light flashing is definitely bad. Bad enough such that you probably shouldn't be driving the car much at all. I would suggest doing multiple drain + refills if the fluid looks a bit brown. It could mean your fluid is burnt, which would mean you possibly have a torque converter that is crapping out. Whatever you do, just DON'T do a tranny flush. A "flush" will free up any debris that could be floating around in the tranny that wasn't picked up by the magnet, which could end in a catastrophic boom, lol.
 
Ok, first off, in my reply I wasn't very clear as to what I had changed out. The link below is excatly what I changed out. I want to let you guys know that I think this helped out a bit, but not much. I actually forgot to disconnect the negative battery terminal when changing this out, but after I drove it, I brought it home and disconnected the terminal for 10-15 minutes. Maybe I should disconnect it for a longer time? Would this really matter?

http://newcougar.org/forums/how-tos/1451-how-end-atx-1-2-bang-shift.html

Also here are two vids of my car now. It is kind of hard to tell what is going on, crappy vids. Please check them out though.

(I HARDLY drive my car, because of this. If I need to change out the torque converter I Will) I will do anything to get this car's transmission reliable again.

http://www.danbertmedia.com/Contour/Video/contour_od.html
you can watch the video files there.
 
Griffon said:
I checked the fluid, it is more of a dirty pink/red. It's definitely not bright pink or red, there is a good influence of brown in the color. ........... It seems like the car doesn't know what speed it is going and searching for what gear to be in. I am going to post a video up of what the car is doing in a very short while.
Click to expand...
1) Change the ATFluid
2) Your Vehicle Speed sensor is bad
3) Video link does not work.
 
First video was a bit weird, as you weren't traveling at a very consistent speed, but your second video seems as though your VSS is working properly. I'd drain+refill your tranny a few times. Drain + refill volume is about 4 quarts (there are lots of variations depending on the year of vehicle, see a Haynes/Chilton), and the full volume is about 9 quarts or so (also lots of variations here, check Haynes/Chilton). Between each drain+refill, make sure to take the car out for a quick drive around the block to mix up the fluid...

You will definitely see a difference in tranny performance after doing this. Just hope that it fixes it...
 
it sounds like your trans is skipping a gear in both of those vids, engine revs up high then revs down low when the trans shifts.

might be your VSS or MLPS
 
I will keep you guys up to date. I did a search and found a great how to "drain and re-fill trans fluid" In the how to, the person states to do it 3 times. I want to clarify before I go and buy 12 quarts of mobil 1 synthetic trans fluid. Basically drain 4 qts. fill 4qts. Drive around the block, come back drain and refill and repeat one more time? I guess that sounds right. I'm surprised that all the old fluid will come out, especially when you drive the car around. Wouldn't all the new and old trans fluid just mix together?

Also, in the how to, located here: http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/s...92476&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1

The person mentions to turn the plug clockwise. Isn't the rule lefty loosy, righty tighty?? Counter-clockwise is to loosen something clockwise is to tighten something. Did he get that mixed up? Or is it different for some odd reason?
 
You DO turn it "lefty-loosey," that is actually an error in the writeup. Also, you don't actually get all of the old fluid out this way, but you get enough out. If you want you can do it 4 or 5 times. I believe the writeup also says to jack it up from the drivers side. This is also incorrect. Jack it STRAIGHT up from the front via the subframe, and if you're feeling ambitious, jack it up from the PASSENGERS side as to allow some fluid to drain away from the torque converter. Just make sure you put in exactly the same amount of fluid that comes out.
 
thanks for the response zorrex. I'm off to buy 12 quarts of ATX fluid! Instead of jacking it up I am going to just drive it up on my ramps. There does'nt seem to be a good reason why I can't do that. :) I can easily get to the drain plug while my car is up on ramps.
 
*Update*
I have replaced the transmission fluid as per the instructions on this site. I changed out the Transmission Range Sensor (MLPS ) and the turbing shaft speed sensor ( TSS ) The car seems to shift a bit smoother because of the fluid change, but the other sensors didn't seem to help out much. I am still getting the flashing od light after a while of driving. I will get it when I go over 40-50 mph. So, the last thing to change is the Vehicle speed sensor. We all think that it is not the problem with my car, but now that I have changed the other two, I might as well change the last sensor. At this point I am assuming my transmission is on its last leg. Would it be safe to say that I am correct? I will most likely order the VSS later this week and cross my fingers.
 
changing tranny fluid is throwing money down a rat hole

changing tranny fluid is throwing money down a rat hole

Folks

Why in the world do you folks think changing tranny fluid will fix this person's problem? It seems to be the typical response to any trans problem. Its alot like using leeches to cure diseases.

If I read these posts correctly, he may be skipping second gear. An absolutely fool proof and FREE method to check on 2nd gear is to unplug the mpls. This disconnects the trans from the ecu and puts it into a 'limp' mode that hydraulically engages 2nd gear. If your car moves forward with the mpls unplugged, then 2nd gear works. If not, then your symptoms sound like a broken band high revving in first gear, ocassionaly bang shifting, flashing oD light. If so, ask Matt the moderator how cheap it is to replace only a band using the andreslobo cheapass method. Lots of work but little $$.

I drove mine with a broken band for about a year before I got around to fixing it.
 
andreslobo said:
Folks

Why in the world do you folks think changing tranny fluid will fix this person's problem? It seems to be the typical response to any trans problem. Its alot like using leeches to cure diseases.
...
Click to expand...

Because ATFluid condition or lack of, is the cause of most of the automatic tranny issues. This is, of cause, thanks to the Maintenance Manual suggesting that the ATFluid is "lifetime" use and does not need to be changed.

Leeches (in hospitals) are used to assist in preventing the blood from clotting up, preventing blood flow, causing gangrene and hence amputation of the extremities.
 
Changing ATF is certainly good for the longevity of the transmission. But once there's a problem severe enough to set a code (flashing OD light) something is broken, and changing the fluid won't fix it. The usual failure in these transmissions is the torque converter and the hydraulic circuit that controls it. Nobody seems to have asked about that, so I'll be the first.

DOES THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP?

If no, you probably need either a new trans or if you want, you can replace the valve body and torque converter.
 
time for some diagnostics

time for some diagnostics

Lets try some simple diagnostics for your trans.

Cycle the trans through the gears manually, If you start with 1st then move to 2nd does the engine speed change? If so good. Now shift to drive , does the engine speed change? If so good. That tells you that the gears are shifting and working. if you don't have a tachometer your ear should be good enough. Now use the green button on the left side of the shift lever and push it so the the OD drive off light is on. If you toggle this between one and off you should hear an engine speed change, that should tell you if your overdrive is workng properly. If it fails any of these tests that should help pin point the problem area. Let us know.\

If there is no difference in the engine speed between 2nd and drive, then unplug the mpls and put the shift lever in drive. If the car moves, then the band is probably okay, if not then suspect the band.

Or you could take it to a trans shop and while they might not share the trans fault codes, they should be able to tell you your problem.

Good luck
 
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