Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Automatic Transmission Problem

I'm new to this forum. If I should be posting this somewhere else, please let me know.
More on Mom's 95 Contour w/ 2.5V6 and AT. Finally got up to check it out. Here's what I found: Tranny fluid about a pint low. Puddle under car in line with front wheels. Can't tell if tranny fluid or oil. Looks too brown for tranny fluid, but that may be part of the problem. (Forgot to check the engine oil to see if that was low and could have been what was on the ground.) Topped off fluid and test drove. First off, speedometer quit the same time the tranny started acting up. Shifts real hard, then for no good reason, downshifts. Sometimes is starts slipping. Prior to getting to where it is now, was experiencing a shudder/vibration at about 35-40 mph right where tranny was trying to shift from 3rd to 4th. Seemed like it couldn't decide which gear it wanted to be in. I am not to familiar with the newer automatics, but know the older ones have throttle pressure linkage. What do the new ones use? I know there are electronics involved, and I have heard of TV cables. Could it be related to this somehow since speedometer and tranny both went out simultaneously? Any help or thoughts on this would be appreciated. Trying to help Mom out and save her some money. Terry? Anybody?

im certainly no expert but based on what u've posted i'd still say the tranny is dying....i had an old taurus with crappy atx that would hunt for gears but that was sorta inherent in its design...the cd4e atx in the contour does NOT have such issue unless there's a problem...

the brown fluid could very well be burnt transmission fluid especially since the level was low and there was a puddle under the car

if she has a warranty see about having the tranny diagnosed professionally then take it from there...

others here will have more to offer perhaps

One quick thing you can check. There is a drain/pressure hose that is supposed to be hanging down from the tranny. It is a small tube. Check to see if that is clogged or pinched. It needs to be free from any obstructions. Other than that, plut some more fluid in there.

Good luck.

Brought the fluid up to the correct level before I test drove it. Still acted as I listed above. I'll check for that hose. Thanks.

Sounds like electrics to me. Personally don't think the fluid would be dark enough to mistake for motor oil if the tranny was still somewhat functioning. Check the fluid and smell it. If it's burnt, it's too late

Good luck! I'm in the same boat, brother!

The tranny uses a VSS (vehicle speed sensor)to change gears, amoungst other things. If the sensor has gone you loose your speedo and or your tranny will be thrown into confusion. It is mounted in the diff, once I had Fords do some work on the tranny only to find fluid squirting out of the speedo cable. It was traced to the oil seal on the VSS sensor. perhaps yous has come loose, seal gone / got covered in oil and packed up?
Worth a look.