Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Torque Converter

MY CEL came on and we put the code reader on and it came up as P1744. That code is the Torque Converter Clutch System Stuck in Off Position. I am experiencing BAD mileage (175 for 12 1/2 gallons), bad gear slamming when shifting, and poor performance at low speeds. I need to know how to swap this part out! I really do not want to keep driving around like this.

1998 ATX Contour SE, 2.5l duratech, 71K

Please help me help my baby! She is sick!

It involves pulling the tranny to do the work

Many FOUR Letter words are coming to my mind right now.

Is pulling the tranny out, possible to do in a garage without a lift. And a do-it-yourselfer may I add

yes it's possible, but not easy. I will have to look at my factory CD4E manuals when I get home to make sure this part is in the TC itself (pretty sure from memory). Even if it's not, it would still involve pulling the engine/tranny (easier to pull as a pair then seperate).

I really appreciate your help! Looks like I am not doing ANYTHING this weekend. Might as well clean up stuff while I am there to. What are some key wear items to clean up and change while I am there also? If I have it ripped apart I might as well do other things. Looks like I need a Haynes manual to!

Fastcougar will be able to verify this, since he has a factory CD4E Manual (yeah I am enviuse!), but here is what I know...

The clutch system that is stuck in the OFF position is a hydraulic soleniod that controls torque converter lock-up. Basically, it controls a check ball in the valve body that either allows fluid to flow to the torque converter at an increased pressure to lock it (this is the on position) or block the path of the fluid and divert it back into other areas of the tranny. I would have to check the oil schmatic to find out where. Check this parts list that I put together, using the CD4E blow-up from fordpartsonline, and find item 24. That's it!

To be honest it is better that it is stuck off then on. If it was stuck in the on position, the car would not stay cranked!! Stumble horribly at best!!

As for having to pull the tranny to replace it... I am not sure and it seems that fastcougar will be able to fill us in on this area a lot more then I can, but it seem like it could be done.

Mine is bad too. I am carring around a P0743 CEL with me. This is an eletrical system problem with this circuit. As for price... www.fordpartsonline.com has them for $130 I think.

Sorry, but I don't think a Haynes manual will tell you much about your tranny. Really best to get a Ford CD. I think "tordas" sells them pretty cheap. Check the classifieds, I know there are two people selling them. Tordas just comes to mind right now becasue I have been meaning to get one from him for several weeks now.

Not meaning to whore my site or anything, but I also have a good deal of information links on my links page that point to technical articles and other sites that have a wealth of info on our beloved CD4E.

My appolegizes... the fellow selling the Ford CD Manuals screen name is "todras". Sorry about that. I called him "tordas". Kinda funny, but sorry about the mix-up!

Don't get too mad at me dude, I am still gona buy one from ya!

That is great thanks, I have a friend that seems to know what he is doing in replacing that part...Any word on dropping the tranny yet? Or is it accessible without that dramatic of a labor.

I take it you have never changed the tranny fluid???