Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Transmission or Fuel or ??

1998 4 cyl SE,
Automatic transaxle
85,000 mil.

I have no leaks the Trans fluid is clear and pink. Every now and then on the freeway It feels like the transmission is engaging then disengaging etc. I call it Rock and Roll. At 1st I was thinking fuel Just like I had a dirty fuel filter that was replaced however. But tonight I was wondering geeze am I going to get home. I guess I would describe it as feeling like the drive train is periodically not engaging. When off the freeway it seemed fine. Its not been as strong off the dime from a dead stop as it used to be but � who knows. I was thinking well the transmission must be getting tired and ready to go. But clear fluid and 85,000 ?? I just don�t know. Anyway I know the trans does not feel as responsive as it used to. Takes a bit longer shift into reverse (like is not grabbing right way as it should) if I put it into reverse and give it gas right way it will hesitate that pop in with a hard clunk. Now I just go into reverse and wait for it to engage 2 or three sec. then its fine.
I have an engine light on but when checked by a smog place they said something about fuel mixture. When I disconnect the battery then reconnect the lights off for a while then back on. Also I have to resolve an intermittent issue with the airbag sensor light as well.

Sorry to dump all this at once - Clayton

"I have no leaks the Trans fluid is clear and pink. Every now and then on the freeway It feels like the transmission is engaging then disengaging etc. I call it Rock and Roll. At 1st I was thinking fuel Just like I had a dirty fuel filter that was replaced however. But tonight I was wondering geeze am I going to get home. I guess I would describe it as feeling like the drive train is periodically not engaging. When off the freeway it seemed fine. Its not been as strong off the dime from a dead stop as it used to be but � who knows."

Could be Manual Lever Position Sensor.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1211910&Forum=trouble&Words=mlps&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1week&Main=1211460&Search=true#Post1211910

"I just don�t know. Anyway I know the trans does not feel as responsive as it used to. Takes a bit longer shift into reverse (like is not grabbing right way as it should) if I put it into reverse and give it gas right way it will hesitate that pop in with a hard clunk. Now I just go into reverse and wait for it to engage 2 or three sec. then its fine."

Could be Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1193985&Forum=trouble&Words=tss&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1month&Main=1193985&Search=true#Post1193985

"I have an engine light on but when checked by a smog place they said something about fuel mixture. When I disconnect the battery then reconnect the lights off for a while then back on. Also I have to resolve an intermittent issue with the airbag sensor light as well."

Need to scan the Check Engine Light and post the codes (Advance or Autozone will do it for free). As for the airbag sensor light, record the flashing sequence and post.
eg. flash, flash, flash, falsh, pause, flash (airbag code 41).
http://www.contour.org/FAQ/FAQ.php?s=probs&displayid=29

It could be the fuel pump but try these things first (if nothing else, the CEL codes will give more indication of what the problem could be).