Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Disengaging Transmission

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this site and seem to be in dire need of advice. I bought my daughter a 95 Contour GL about 4 months ago. It seems to be doing great, except that later in the day (heat). The Transmission decides to disengage ALOT. Not sure of the extent of any damage at this point. This problem seems to be heat related. Is there anything I can attempt before I think about going out for a reman'd tranny?

I am getting ready to put it on ramps and change the tranny fluid. Also thinking about flushing the coolant system. Like I said, the car runs great on the first run of the day.

I would appreciate any help on this matter.

Greg

I'll assume this is an ATX. You should check the fluid while the car is running, and preferrably after a short drive. If the fluid level is below the max line on the dipstick that's an obvious problem, but also check the color and smell of the fluid.

The fluid should be reddish pink in color on the towel and have a subtle smell to it. If the fluid is brownish and/or it has a pungent burnt smell to it then it has broken down and oxidized. If it has been like this for an extended period of time chances are there's irreversable damage and you'll need a rebuild. You can try flushing the fluid, but many people have found (and you can read more by searching) that flushing at that point will cause the tranny to fail right away.

I had my CD4E rebuilt last October, which cost me about $2200. I also had a broken mount which caused a lot of wheel hop which I suspect contributed to the damage, but anyway I digress. My fluid had not been serviced in 50000+ miles and when I checked it (as the tranny started acting up) the fluid was bad. I now plan on changing the fluid at regular intervals and spending the extra money on synthetic ATF.

Hetfield,

I am not sure of the model of the Tranny. The motor is the twin OHC I4 cylinder. I checked the fluid on the dipstick and it isn't really as pink or red as it should be. The picture you painted is looking pretty bleek!!!! I am going to try everything that could possibly have anything to do with it. Like I said, it runs good when you take off in the morning. Still hoping for a reversal!!!!

Well so far this what I found... I flushed the tranny, and my god the fluid was black. Fresh fluid in it now and a bottle of trans fix. The tranny shifts smoother now. But still have a heat problem. Gauge runs right between the A and the L on the NORMAL but, the overflow tank is always cold. I could never see any flow into the tank at all. Took the thermostat out and now have good flow. Antifreeze looks alittle run down. Temp stays between the R and M. I am going to flush the coolant system tomorrow. Hoping that by keeping it cool, the tranny won't act up. Drawing straws!!!

I was wondering if a person could try resetting the computer. (Maybe by disconnecting the battery???) This might restore anything that might have gone array.

If there is anyone out there that has any luck... please let drop me a line. I am getting desperate now.

Thanks
Greg

You mentioned that when you had the tranny flushed, the fluid was "Black". I would not think that this was the fluid as much as it was "clutch dung" commonally found in an ATX.

Since you still seem to have a cooling issue, I would have to think that you might be having some issues with the internal cooler found in the radiator. It is not overly uncommon to have problems with this area. I have read somewhere that it should actually be flushed seperatly from the rest of the unit along with the cooling lines because of the amount of clutch particles that can build up in these areas.

Whoever had the car prior to you, did not take very good care of the tranny at all. It would not be a bad idea to go ahead and have an external cooler installed to resolve the cooing issues, because we all know that heat will kill an ATX in a heart beat. It is a good thing that you put the trans fix in there also. It is also not uncommon around here for someone to have their tranny flushed (one like yours that the fluid was not changed on a regular basis), which breaks free all that black stuff that you saw, to only be followed a few months down the road with line pressure issues. The trans fix will help with keeping that under some control.

Well I went to the Tranny Hospital and they ran codes on it and it gave 688 ... Transmission Range sensor High. Talked to my local Ford stealership and they are getting me the part for $28. I would have never suspected that part at all because, even as a kid, it has been called the nuetral safety switch. Going to give it a try later this afternoon. I will be posting the result.


Greg

I would recommend a tranny cooler like the other guy mentioned above. It will help you out.

Viola, The Transmission Range Sensor fixed the problem with the shifting in and out of neutral. I will be looking for a Tranny cooler soon. Can anyone recommend a good cooler that is easy to install.

Thanks for all the help
Greg