Irradic and Harsh Shifting...(CD4E) Possible MLPS?

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

My car is jerking and surging almost as if the transmission is trying to be in 2 different gears at once. Its like it locks up for a sec.

Anyone else have any issues like this dealing with the MLPS(manual lever position sensor)? I suspect this to be the problem. I have called around and an MLPS can be ordered for 60 bucks.

I have located the sensor and it doesn't look to hard to replace.

If the sensor is not the problem, what else should I be looking into?

Thanks guys...

Originally posted by shanalg82:
My car is jerking and surging almost as if the transmission is trying to be in 2 different gears at once. Its like it locks up for a sec.

Welcome. Have you checked the fluid level and condition? The color should be clear pink/red? Buy a quart of Mercon and compare (dab some on a white paper towel).

Fluid level and condition seems fine. Problem is getting worse it seems.

I'm going to order a MLPS and see if that helps at all, if not... gonna have to make some decisions...

So long as your speedo isn't jumping around, then I would agree that the MLPS is the culprit.

And if the speedometer is "jumping around" (with the OD light coming on and off), it could be the VSS or VSS connector.

OD light is not coming on and off... MLPS is going to be changed as soon as I can get a hold of one.

Found it! 40 bucks, said he gave me a discount.

Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA - List $48.31

I will take pics of the process of how I changed it...it doesn't look to hard, and I know how you all like lots of pics!

====MLPS REPLACEMENT HOW TO====

Things needed:

5/16 open ended wrench
MLPS - Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA
Optional electrical contact cleaner

1. I found it easiest to just get the air box out of the way.

2. Put the car in neutral (don't forget the e-brake)

3. Using a 5/16 open ended wrench remove the two bolts.

4. Pull off plug, then the MLPS should just pull up off of the shaft.

5. Put the new MPLS on the shaft, there are notches that it must slide onto.

6. Bolt it back on ensuring that the line for Neutral is lined up.

7. Spray some electrical contact cleaner just to make sure that the connetion is clean, then plug it back in.

New vs. Old (The guy at Ford said this is the 5th part number...)

This seems to have fixed my problem for now!

Thanks, You probably just helped me with the problem my '99 Tracer has.

Nice how-to! Maybe a moderator could add it to a sticky somewhere or make it a how-to on the main site...

Mine got water in it once and man did my tranny act up!

Originally posted by shanalg82:
====MLPS REPLACEMENT HOW TO====

Things needed:

5/16 open ended wrench
MLPS - Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA
Optional electrical contact cleaner

1. I found it easiest to just get the air box out of the way.

2. Put the car in neutral (don't forget the e-brake)

3. Using a 5/16 open ended wrench remove the two bolts.

4. Pull off plug, then the MLPS should just pull up off of the shaft.

5. Put the new MPLS on the shaft, there are notches that it must slide onto.

6. Bolt it back on ensuring that the line for Neutral is lined up.

7. Spray some electrical contact cleaner just to make sure that the connetion is clean, then plug it back in.

New vs. Old (The guy at Ford said this is the 5th part number...)

This seems to have fixed my problem for now!

but what if your neutral dont line up how would u adjust that , plz give me a how to or something in detail, thanxs , cause if im right your drive and your neutral are suppose to line up , right?

Originally posted by shanalg82:
====MLPS REPLACEMENT HOW TO====

Things needed:

5/16 open ended wrench
MLPS - Part # 6L8z-7F293-AA
Optional electrical contact cleaner

1. I found it easiest to just get the air box out of the way.

2. Put the car in neutral (don't forget the e-brake)

3. Using a 5/16 open ended wrench remove the two bolts.

4. Pull off plug, then the MLPS should just pull up off of the shaft.

5. Put the new MPLS on the shaft, there are notches that it must slide onto.

6. Bolt it back on ensuring that the line for Neutral is lined up.

7. Spray some electrical contact cleaner just to make sure that the connetion is clean, then plug it back in.

New vs. Old (The guy at Ford said this is the 5th part number...)

This seems to have fixed my problem for now!

hey one question though , whats the white line for , i just bought one today and i lined it up like you said but when i get at 60mph the tranmission acts like its bucking , its hard to explain could it be the TSS , cause i have the one in thats been in the car since its been made , i have one comin just to at least get it replaced , in case it is bad

Originally posted by Anubis98:
... but when i get at 60mph the tranmission acts like its bucking , its hard to explain could it be the TSS , cause i have the one in thats been in the car since its been made , i have one comin just to at least get it replaced , in case it is bad

It could be the TSS. Have you changed the ATF in the last 30K miles? That might help.

yes fluid is new cause it got changed when i had a torque converter put in , replaced the MLPS and it started do this bucking around 60 mph