Originally posted by helpme:


i need some ideas.
recently my 95 v-6 contour has started to overheat only at hi-way speeds. while driving my gauge will slowly keep rising all the way to hot. if i stop and let it idle the temp will quickly drop from the red area on the temp gauge to the "o" in normal within 30 seconds and stay there forever if all i did was sit there idling. as soon as i get driving down the road again the temp slowly starts rising.
it takes 3 to 5 minutes to get back up to the hot range. if i put the car in nuetral at cruising speed it will cool right down then too.
the car starts fine and runs fine. no strange noises or smells. i am not leaking coolant or anything else and the heater blows hot air.
i am not the most mechanical person i just need some ideas so i can hopefully avoid a disaster , unless i allready have one.
i have fun in my contour and want to keep it going. thanks



I have experienced this TWICE already, and it ONLY happens at highway speed when driving for a LONG time.

You need to have the Torque Converter in your transmission replaced, as well as the Valve Body.
When the Valve Body wears, it leaks pressure internally.
When the Torque Converter locks, and the Valve Body loses pressure, the Torque Converter clutch starts to slip.
It slips enough so that YOU don't feel it, but it generates heat inside the Torque Converter as you are highway driving.
Over a period of miles, this heat builds to the point where the Transmission Oil cooler in your Radiator
can no longer reduce the temperature of the ATX Oil.
This causes the Antifreeze to then start overheating, and this is what you are seeing on your temperature gauge.
I know it sounds hard to believe, but I had to prove it to myself and to my dealer.

If you know a mechanic with a OBD-II Scan tool, have him ride in your car with you, attach the scan tool
and monitor TFT (Transmission Fluid Temperature). Normal temperature range is 180F - 210F.
When the engine starts to overheat, read the TFT and the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature).
You won't believe what the TFT reading will be, and you will see that the ECT temperture has risen because of it.

This is the ONLY way that I could prove to my dealer that the transmission was suffering from a very SERIOUS problem.
A problem that does NOT cause the OD or CEL light to flash or illuminate.

Try it out and let me know what the results are that you get...

My TFT reading was 350F, and my ECT was 260F.
This was one week before the tranny finally gave out.

Pete... 2004 Mercury Marauder 300A Black Clearcoat/Dark Charcoal LEATHER DOB 10/31/2003 DOP 1/2/2004 www.mercurymarauder.net