Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Whats the problem with this cold shifting?

What is the deal with the cold shifting between 1st and 2nd in the morning. I have replaced the transmission fluid with Ford synthetic and it has helped. I have never owned a car that shifts like this in cold weather and I live in Calif. I have a 2000 which I hope has the updated transmission. After driving for short period it warms up and shifts great.

Try it up here when it's -30C you need Popeye arms sometimes!

Try adding 2 OZ of friction modifier. If works for some and doesn't seem to for others.

try driving to a Ford Dealer the night before it is going to be cold and drop off the keys. Have them take it for a spin in the morning, and let them oredr a new trans for you. My '00 had its trans replaced with one that is marginally better. now i only have to skip straight to third if it's below ~20. good luck. It is the 1st sign of the synchros going bad.

The 'Bulldog Box' mod fixes these problems if you cant get a later trans under warranty...

I've tried that approach several times & so far I've gotten NOWHERE !! They just keep telling me that it's normal & they don't feel anything wrong with it ?!?! What a buncha schmo's ! If they had to drive it every day (& make the payments) they'd change their tune !
If you get Ford to fix it , then congrats ! You're luckier than me . Maybe if I take it in a few more times they'll fix it for me :rolleyes: .

'Grenade' the diff...that gets you a new trans....

try another dealer. works for me on a 99 ranger with a cold knock. ac collins ford had the truck for 5 different tries and told me it was carbon knock. they removed the head and scraped the pistons and valves and said that it was fixed. not!!!!! i finally took it to charle thomas ford and of cource, they heard the knock and ordered me a new engine to be installed this week. just do not take no for an answer.

OK Terry - Just for the sake of curiosity ... If one wanted to do that , you know ... purely hypothetical of course ... What would you reccomend would be the "easiest" way to do it ?? I just mean , if someone ... not me , but someone else wanted to "grenade" their diff & finally get a tranny that shifted like it's supposed to ... What pointers would you give them ?? Hard shifts ?? VERY hard shifts ?? Don't use the clutch ?? "Extreme" downshifts ?? Wheel hop ?? Drain the oil ?? All of the above ?? Some of the above ?? None of the above ??

Just curious , Not that I would do such a thing ... that would be wrong !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Allen