Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting HELP, Auto tranny not shifting into 4th on highway

Hello all, I have a 95 Contour GL, 4cyl auto. Every time I start the car, and drive on freeway, the tranny does not shift into 4th for about 15 minutes. It doesnt matter what I do, floor it, or let go of gas, it simply wont shift for about 15 mins. After that it shifts up. Every day I drive from home to work and back. My trip is exactly 20 mins on freeway, so you can imagine how much fuel I burn, going 120km/h in 3rd... that is pretty much redline, and by the time it shifts up, I am already there lol.

Anyone have any ideas? Tranny oil was changed every 60K.

I feel your pain.

This could be a number of things, you will need to check for trouble codes (it could be a transmission or engine sensor, likely ECT). Then you will have to have the line pressure tested.

I am waiting for a new Valve body for mine (my valve bores were too worn out to just replace the valves. My converter bypass valve and pressure regulator valve caused my problems. No TC lock up and failsafe mode (bang shift).

The valve body on our tranny is a weak link.

It�??s not a good idea to drive around (especially highway) with a tranny that won�??t shift to overdrive. It can cause the tranny to overheat and do serious damage. Also, if it starts bang shifting stop driving it. Ford thought (a better idea) that if any problems developed in the tranny, they would engage �??failsafe�?� mode and stop the flow to the cooler.

Driving with bang shifts = totally blown tranny
jeff

No wait! I think you miss understood me. Continuing to drive the car while it is in bang shift mode will kill the tranny. Bang shift (limp home/failsafe) can be caused by a number of factors from bad sensors, sticking valve body and slippage.

Do not go to the dealer! All they know how to do is replace it not fix it. Find a good shop and have them do an electronic and line/CT pressure test. You may only need valve body service (sticking 3-4 valve or solenoid assy).

jeff

One more thing,
Since everything else is Ok and the tranny will eventually go into 4 then it is more then likely a sensor or electronic problem (could still be internal pressure related). In any case, you can clear the tranny (temporarily) from failsafe mode by resetting the PCM. This will also clear any stored codes so you should scan it first.


OK that�??s two things
jeff

To clear PCM:

Fuse box under hood - adjacent battery.

Remove fuses #4 & #11 for about 5 minutes while you check your oil, or brush some dust off the car, or get your groove on in your driveway.

Re-install fuses. Take your car for a nice leasurely drive to the mall for lunch. I mean leasurely, like you're a tourist taking in the sights & let your car warm up to normal operating temperature. Then drive home - DONE.

There are more detailed methods to get the PCM to re-learn, but it seems to work out the same to me.

That will work, just remember�?� It will clear all the stored codes so if you then bring your car in to have it checked, no codes will be stored. Also, if the bang shift returns stop driving.

jeff