Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting CEL P1774, hot car = rough gear shift. Ideas???

I've read through some of the archive, i'm starting to think that the torque converter is a pretty common problem with the CD4E. I wanted to get my situation out in the open and see if anyone is getting exactly what I am, and maybe if anyone had any idea how to fix it (without dropping the Transmission!)

My CEL is on, but is not itermittent. It has been on continously for about 1 1/2 months. It came on after changing my spark plugs (just plugs, not caps) - one of them was stuck, and ending up breaking off ! Had to get it drilled out, but the engine/reving/etc. seems to work fine after that.

The big problem is after driving at highway speeds for a while (20 min +), low gear shift is very rough, knocks the whole car around, sounds bad, etc. (I have an ATX BTW). Doesn't affect shifting at high gears when I get back up to speed. The O/D light does not come on, unless of course I switch O/D modes, in which case my contour seems to switch between the two with no problem.

The guy at the transmission shop is saying that i need to replace the Torque Converter, due to a CEL code of P1744. Is there anything else I can try, or does Mr. Transmission have it right?

Thanks for any help,

Go Leafs Go!
Chris

P1774 is not a valid OBD-II code for Fords. In fact, I don't see it listed for any other manufacturers, either.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-ii/bl-obd-17.htm

P1774 is in fact a transmission code (P=powertrain 1=enhanced 7=transmission 74=setting condition [variable]), but 74 is a specific code that I can't find. If you're sure that's what you were told, maybe you could try taking it to Autozone for a second opinion on the code you're getting.

After driving around for a while, put the car in park, keep it running, and check the tranny fluid. If the level is below minimum, try topping off the fluid and see if that helps (hopefully you can catch it before anything's damaged). If the fluid is brownish (should be red) and smells like its burnt, you probably have a toasted tranny. Prepare to bend over for a replacement.

Main Control

*Bolts out of torque specification - Adjust bolts to specification.
*Gasket leaks - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
* 2 - 4 accumulator valve, 3 - 2 control valve (also harsh 3 - 4 shift) stuck, damaged or misassembled - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*Separator plates damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*Hydraulic passages damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.

Pump Assembly

*Bolts out of torque specification - Adjust bolts to specification
*Gasket damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair necessary
*Pump support seal rings No.3 or No.4 damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair necessary
*Porosity/cross leaks - Inspect for damage. Repair necessary

INT/OD Band and Servo Assembly

*Cushion return springs damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*INT/OD band damaged, worn - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*INT/OD band and/or reverse clutch drum assembly worn damaged or misassembled - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.

Forward Clutch Assembly

*Seals damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*Return spring damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.
*Friction elements damaged - Inspect for damage. Repair as necessary.

Case

*Band anchor area damaged - Inspect for damage. If damaged, install a new cas... cuts off here and not sure about the rest.

This is just a list of hydrualic related issues that should be checked and/or addressed when troubleshooting harsh 1-2 engaugments.

Electrical is a bit smaller...

Powertrain Control System

*Electrical inputs/outputs, vehicle wiring harnesses, powertrain control module, EPC solenoids, transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor, vehicle speed sensor, TSS, throttle position sensor, mass air flow sensor, TCC solenoid, Gearshift Position Sensor - It then leads you to pin point test to perform. Most of which, you have to have a Scan Tool and a special cable.

I would start out with a good fluid check. If the fluid is nasty, try dropping 4 quarts and replacing that. Run it for a couple of days then do it again. Also, double check that code as well.

Can you believe it? I typed in the WRONG code down in my post. They didn't give me p1774. The code that they read was P1744

Repeat, the code is P1744! That, and the Leafs lost last night. What a day

Thanks for your help so far - I appreciate it a lot.

That's no problem at all. We all make mistakes.

P1744 Torque Converter Clutch System Stuck in Off Position.

I would still check the tranny fluid like I described above (if you need more detail in how to do that, just ask), but unless its just an electrical problem it sounds like your mechanic might be correct.

If you want to go through the extra work (and you will when you find out the cost of replacing the torque converter) you could search the Transmission forum for that code. Chances are someone else has encountered this and there's advice on how to deal with it. Maybe its a simple fix that won't involve major work on your tranny.

I will try changing the trans. filter and flushing the fluid, and I'm found some other information that might apply. I found some information about changing the Turbine Speed Sensor to fix the harsh 1-2 shift.

<http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=14&threadid=70919>

When it's running hot, mine changes harshly from 1-2, and 2-3, and 3-4, each to a lesser degree. Still, I used to get the 'Bang-shift' almost a year ago. I'm starting to think that the occasional bang-shift might have helped lead to the TCC crapping out...

Sooooooo, what I'm thinking is this: When I change the ATX Fluid and filter, and replace the TSS, maybe I can go without changing the TCC! Say hello to saving 1000 to 2000 bucks for a transmission drop and TCC replace (that's Canadian, so it's about $25 or $30 US )

Go Canucks Go!

I've had that same problem and code for over a year now and other then crappy milage (around 20 with mostly city driving) the car runs fine. With mine I tried to replace the TSS and changing the fluid, but neither worked. I'm trying a transgo shift kit on the valve body but havent had time to put it in yet so I cant say if it will work. Best guess it the torque converter, so its a good excuse to get a level 10 converter.

P1744 - Excessive slipe detected during full TCC engagment.

What is happening is that the Torque Convertor will not engage/lock (like what hetfield said). This could be a problem with the valve body or the TC itself.

The reason you might be having the harsh shifts after an amount of travel is because the tranny is overheating due to the fact that the TC will not lock. The reason it would over heat is because of the high pressure that must be used to actually lock the TC. That back pressure is not a good healthy thing!!

Is there a way to fix this without dropping the tranny? I doubt it. You could try an additive, but most likely you have mechanical damage to the TC or the piston in the valve body that controls ATF flow to the TC.

Update: I changed the TSS and put in new ATX fluid and filter. It helped a little, but my my CEL quickly came back on and the bang shift is still very present. Nuts.

<grabbing ankles>...