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Hello, am a newbie to this forum. I have read all recommedations, searched on this subject and checked the FAQs, without an answer.
I have a 97 LX 2.5L Duratec V6 ATX, 113K with a transmission problem.
About 10K ago the Check Engine light came on and O/D Off light started flashing while driving on the highway, and the car would no longer shift into overdrive, and also started shifting hard in lower gears. Once I stopped the car it seemed to reset sensors and the car would drive fine for awhile, then the problem would re-apear. Took it to a Ford dealer and got codes P0715 and P0174. They repaired a vacuum leak and changed the speed sensors, which ones I'm not sure as they didn't specify. Car ran fine until recently.
Now the Check Engine light came on and O/D Off light started flashing again while driving on the highway. Took it for a different Ford dealer (because I moved) and got codes P0715, P0733, P0734 with description: "TSS Sensor Code and 3-4 shift problem. Possible internal repair. Possible PCM damage." They only advised replacing the trans with a new one for $3400 "due to known problems with the Contour's electronic trans." But they stated that I could drive it a while without 4th gear.
So I took it to a to a local trans shop near where I worked, they got the same codes and advised first replacing the TSS sensor and see if this solved the problem. Then, without doing any repair, the problem stopped, and the trans shop said to wait until the problem came back.
Drove the car for another month, and during a rainy period the problem came back: Check Engine light came on and O/D Off light started flashing, wouldn't shift into 4th, sometimes would downshift into 2nd, back and forth, hard shifting intermittently. Then after 2 days, the car was running and shifting fine without any lights.
Now the shifting problem is back after driving the car for about 15 miles, but without any error lights, but shifting problems while driving at highway speeds and stop and go. After turning the car off and starting again, it would shift ok for a while, and the problem would start again.
I took it to a different trans shop (an not working near the old trans shop anymore), and they advised rebuilding the trans. I asked about the sensors, and they said based on their driving the vehicle they think the problem is internal. They said that the rebuild would cost $1400 and to include replacing all sensors would cost $1800, with a 6 month warranty. Seeing that the car is only worth about $2000 I'm not sure I want to go that route for only a 6 month warranty.
Based on a problem that is intermittent, it seems to me (automotively layman) that the trans problem is electronic and may be resolved by replacing a defective sensor without a complete rebuild, but the trans shop says that if a sensor is out, it is out, and the problem would then occur consistently.
I would appreciate some expert advice as to the repair route I should go. Thank you.
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Don't START by spending the most money possible. You're gettin' hosed.
Check the condition of your wiring. The 96 & 97 had wire insulation issues that could be the cause of your problem. Since it started up in the rain that one time, I would also suspect a poor connection at one of the sensors - clean them babys out. Spray in some of that moisture protection stuff you can get at auto parts stores.
Because it has run fine for various considerable periods, and the symptoms were brought about by rain that one time, I would NOT suspect the need for rebuild or new PCM just yet.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Thanks for the response. And if any insulation / connection problems are not discovered, then what should the course of action be?
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There should be some testing you can do to see if your sensors are operating within spec. Perform a search in the transaxle section for sensor check or test procedures. IF you get any erroneous readings from them, then they should be replaced.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Last edited by Tony2005; 03/17/06 09:22 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Originally posted by convert:
Thanks for the response. And if any insulation / connection problems are not discovered, then what should the course of action be?
Given your discription of your problems, then I would have to agree with Tour. It sounds to me like a intermintent short with the wiring harness. Most likely in the MLPS circut.
Any further questions of your problem or anything else, please feel free to send me a PM and I will be happy help you anyway I can. 
Phillip Jackson
`98 Mystique LS
262K+ and counting...
ATX rebuilt @ 151K
"This storm has broken me, my only friend!" RIP Dime
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"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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Originally posted by unisys12:
Originally posted by convert:
Thanks for the response. And if any insulation / connection problems are not discovered, then what should the course of action be?
Given your discription of your problems, then I would have to agree with Tour. It sounds to me like a intermintent short with the wiring harness. Most likely in the MLPS circut.
Any further questions of your problem or anything else, please feel free to send me a PM and I will be happy help you anyway I can.
The MLPS itself is also highly suspect. As they age, the internal lubricant sometimes migrates to areas that allow a short so that the MLPS is sending the wrong signal to the PCM. Almost always MLPS failures are intermittant.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Well - changed the TSS and MLPS and no better. Had the tranny rebuilt, and everything is fine until it gets wet. Then the O/D light starts flashing again, and CEL comes on. The tranny shop has checked all the electrical and can't find a short. They replaced the TSS again, and still this problem comes up. After spending the money to fix the problem and the problem is still there, I'm burned out. Can't unload the car with the problem to even get the money back that I put into it. Any recommendations. Thanks.
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Originally posted by convert:
... Had the tranny rebuilt, and everything is fine until it gets wet. Then the O/D light starts flashing again, and CEL comes on. ...
Water is getting into a connector or wiring. Are all your splash shields in place (radiator and fender)? And is the hood lined correctly? Is water getting into the engine bay from the front windshield cowl? You need to checked this items first. At a minumum, I would cover up the MLPS, TSS and VSS by rigging a plastic sheet over it to prevent water from getting to it.
Last edited by Tony2005; 06/21/06 02:43 PM.
"Always do the cheap and easy ones first."
1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
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. Change the Turbine shaft speed sensor ($30) and do the 3X ATFluid change ($30) before you think about the tranny rebuild.