Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting 2nd gear crunch when cold...?

I don't think there was a recall but there was a TSB regarding the new synthetic "honey colored" ATF. If I remember correctly, they will not arbitrarily change the fluid to the new stuff. They must confirm a "problem" before changing under your warranty. They, however, were instructed in the TSB to refill late model MTX 75's with the new fluid whenever work is accomplished that required fluid drain.

...Ed

I don't know of a V6 contour out there that doesn't have a tranny synchro problem out there. I have the cold start won't go into 2nd gear problem too. Mine takes a good 10 minutes of warm up time while driving to get it to go in. On mild days, it goes in just fine.

Personally I think this is a huge weakness of the contours. I think a recall should have been issued a long time ago. Ford builds a great car and the powertrain is weak as glass. Who has $1500 for a tranny rebuild? If mine does go out permanently, I will get a quaife installed. But with 62K miles already on the odometer, I'd rather have had that installed a long time ago.

I'm on my second manual transmissioned Contour, and would definitely consider this "1-2 crunch" to be a feature of the MTX-75.

Mine always does it when the outside temperature is cold, maybe the first two or three shifts.

My fix is to shift at very low RPMs, and double-clutch for the first few shifts in the morning.

I disagree!!! I just had the second synchro replaced two days ago and mine still crunches from time to time.

Terry- So, if I catch your drift, the gears for first are lower in the trans than the gears for second, and don't get oiled up as quick when it's cold?

I've never had any kind of "crunch" going into any gear ever. Well, I've missed third gear a few times and it makes a pretty sick noise, but thats it. I also live in Mississippi and I realize it doesn't get nearly as cold down here. Anyways, 35,000 on original tranny and still quiet and smooth as silk

-neal

I'm surry, but Terry didn't you say once that synthetic MTX fluid is bad?? It doesn't allow the syncro's to "bite" correctly. The recommended stuff was the "tranny cocktail" Maybe I'm having a brain fart here...

My 95 SE is doing the same thing...but shifts great when cold..and grinds badly going into second gear or downshifting from 3rd to 2nd when warmed up. I am told it could be the syncro or gear "blocker", but is estimated at about 1000.00. I also was suggested by FORD to add the BG additive into the tranny.....no luck. Any ideas?

The consensus seems to be that the friction modifier helps the synchros "bite". Without it, the rheological properties of the fluid may not create sufficient friction between the cones for them to synchronize. Since you report shifting is fine after things warm up, I'm guessing it really isn't that big a deal and, as Terry points out, the fluid just needs time to distribute itself throughout the gearset.

Here's what my sources say about MTX fluid:
And a general note, not directed an anyone in particular: Take it easy on the tranny! Remember the shift lever is connected to a mechanical device that has to follow the laws of physics; it isn't a remote control.

Interesting thing...

Saturday afternoon when I first started the car, the air temp was between 40-45 degrees. The sun was pretty hot 'cause the interior was nice 'n' toasty...enough to spring the sunroof.

Pull out of the driveway in 1st, no problem (as usual)...shift into second...no crunch.

I'm thinking "This is a good thing"..."no bad synchro perhaps...no $1000 tranny rebuild!"

I'll keep an eye on it and try to be gentle with it too.

At 105,000 miles, I need to be gentle with the whole damn car!