Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting ATX Tranny Problems (please help)

I'm having big troubles with my tranny. I just changed the fluid to see if that would remedy the problem.. Well it didnt work.. Here is the problem. It drives fine when the tranny is cold but once the tranny heats up things get ugly..After taking off from a complete stop the car jerks into each gear and the only thing that makes it stop is to leave the car parked and let it cool down... Can any one give me some ideas on what you all think could be wrong... Please help.. Thanks

Maybe the torque converter is overheating? In my case the car began to shudder or slip around 38-45 mph after it was warmed up.

I just had a new trans under ESP. They actually had to put another whole one in because the first one was leaking.

Get it scanned. Could be something simple like the speed sensor

I've already gotten it scanned. It has some codes but none have to do with the transmission.. Any others have any ideas.. Also if the tranny does need work how much money am I looking at spending.???

This sounds silly, but quite a few people have had similar tranny problems solved with spark plug wire replacement. Bad wires cause interference to the PCM (car computer) and since our tranny is computer controlled, bad computer, bad transmission shifting.

Bad Speed sensor, loose connections can cause similar problems too.

The other codes you pulled may be related too. A bad throttle position sensor, vacuum leaks, other bad sensors, can cause the PCM to shift poorly because of bad sensor information.

On computer controlled cars, a tranny problem can be a motor problem or computer problem.

You need to search a little wider.

You say you got codes when scanned. What were they? Mabey the drivability problems are related.

X,

I have this same problem! Mine started a good while back after a 120 mile drive. Could not for the life of me track it down. Still haven't actually!

I did notice that if the engine temp got around the "M" in normal, the problem would rear its ugly head. Since winter has set in, I since made a shorter 45 mile trip once and did it again. The temp gauge did not leave the "O" in normal.

I have changed my fluid as well. Also, the drive chain as since broke since this problem started. I was told that the shop that worked on it did a complete rebuild, but I don't think they did. I see no evidence of the tranny even being removed.

As for the engine problems being related to this... Right now, I really think anything is possible! I have had a miss during acceleration for a month or so. This weekend I am putting some Ford Motorsports 9's on there. I have checked and regaped the plugs two times since their installtion 5K ago.

I promise, if I find out what stops my tranny problem I will let you know.

P.S. The only code that I have is the good ol' PO420. Yeah I have replaced the secondary bank 1 o2 sensor.

Yes Virginia, there is a Tranny clause.


I had a late and hard shift caused by a vacuum leak. Itmainly happened when the engine was hot and the PCV hose got soft.

Mine shifted hard on upshifts after heavy highway driving

Pulled a tranny code

New Torque converter

Take a look in the Tranny Forums and you will see some of my posts.
I have done some extensive research into this problem, and I have uncovered quite a few things.

The MOST IMPORTANT item I have uncovered is...

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A TROUBLE CODE TO HAVE A MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION !!

I have replaced my ATX - TWICE - already...

There are plenty of MECHANICAL PARTS of the transmission that are NOT monitored by sensors.
The sensors monitor things like oil pressure and temperature, and the input shaft and turbine shaft speed, but it ends there...
There are plenty of basic mechanical failures that many technicians overlook, simply because the computer doesn't give a trouble code.

DON"T RELY ON A COMPUTER TO TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG !!!

After all, does the Computer tell you when your engine has thrown a rod ???
According to some of these Technicians, you wouldn't have a problem because there weren't any trouble codes found.

The CD4E seems to be plagued with Torque Converter and Pump problems.
My first tranny went at 31,000 miles - Torque Converter overheated and went bad.
I had the same symptoms as you, afte driving more than 150 miles.
The Torque Converter overheated the ATX Oil so bad that the heat transferred through the radiator,
into the Antifreeze coolant, and into my ENGINE !!
My Engine coolant temp was at the 'L' in NORMAL, while highway driving !!

The second tranny went with 50,000 miles on it but started to act up soon after its 30,000 mile service.

I have installed a LoTek A Pillar Gauge pod with Autometer VoltMeter, Oil Press, and Trans Oil Temp gauges.
I did this soon after the second transmission was serviced and stared acting up.
When the problems occured, the ATX Oil Temp Gauge was pinned past 250F.
The highest ATX Oil Temperature I could get my dealer to record was 225F.
With my third ATX, I had an external ATX Air-to-Oil cooler installed,
and I have seen Trans Oil Temps go up to 180F with city driving,
and 135F - 150F with highway driving.

Normal Operating Range for the CD4E is 180F - 210F.