Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Transmission doesn't downshift

I was driving my Ford Contour 4 Cyl. Auto on the highway in really heavy rain, then I parked it, had lunch, and when I wanted to drive it back, the transmission was not working any more !
When I put the selector on D : the transmission slips a lot, and the car doesn't go forward. If I put the selector on 1st, it works fine, then I have to shift it to 2nd and then to D, and it works fine manually. I drove back home hundred of miles this way with no problem.
But the transmission is not able to downshift anymore by itself... If I am in D, it doesn't downshift to 1st or 2nd, and the car can't go.

In the same time, the check engine light switched on.

I brought it to a mechanics who told me that I have to replace the whole transmission for $2000 dollars (for a recycled one), or $4000 for a rebuild one.

To me, it sounds more like an electronic problem since the transmission works fine manually, and since the check engine light switched on in the same time.

Does anyone have an idea ?

Please, use simple words, because english in not my native language...

Thanks

Vincent

___________
Ford Contour SE 4cyl - 2L
1998 - 90,000 miles

First,
$4000 is way too much for a rebuilt let alone a used transmission. You should be able to find a shop that will install a rebuilt for around $2000. Never install a used transmission.

If you can shift manually without any slippage then it is likely an electrical problem with the solenoid pack or wiring. You need to find a good shop that will take the time to diagnose your problem correctly.

jeff

First,

If this happened during heavy rain I would:

1: on top of atx unplug wires going to solenoid pack and see if they are wet, if so, dry them out. Also check the wires to the manual shift sensor on top of the atx also, dry them out. Also, check wires to TSS sensor on side of atx looking in from fenderwell, dry those if wet.

Bob

Thanks for your answers.

I checked all the connections, and dryed them with a hair dryer, but that didn't help...

Any other idea before I bring it to a transmission specialist ?

Vincent

Last fall I hit a ton of water while going 40mph. A little while later the tranny started to waz out on me. It would neutralize, jump from gear to gear, etc. It would settle down after shutting it off and restarting then came back. I checked some connectors and restarted - the problem went away and never came back. Does your speedometer work? If not the TSS got damaged. It tells the tranny how fast so it can make a decision when to shift. One of the many inputs the tranny needs to know. I guess someone checked the fluid level. Too much/little will make it act up too.

Sometimes pulling the fuses for the EEC will reset the unit. Should be #4 and #11 iirc...

Yes, I checked the fluid level, and it is okay.
The speedometer works, as well as the cruise control. So I guess the problem doesn't arise from the TSS...

I disconnected the battery for a few minutes to reset everything. The check engine light is off now, but the transmission problem is still there...

Are there any other connectors I can check ? I checked / dried the 2 on top of the atx, plus the one on the side (the TSS I guess).

Thanks for your help

Vincent

The sensor on the side is the vss. The tss is behind the atx. Follow your speedo cable down to atx to find it and check the plug

Bob

All the connections seem okay, but the problem is still there...


Vincent

It appears that a drum is cracked...

I have to get the transmission rebuilted !!!