Question on 99 Taurus AT

[LouDawg]

My brother's 99 Taurus had the 3.0L Vulcan and 4AT. Sometimes when taking off from a stop, it will feel like it didn't/won't shift down into 1st. It feels like it's trying to take off in OD. But it doesn't do this very often, only on occasion. The fluid hasn't been changed for a while, I'm sure.

Any thoughts and opinions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Vaca]

No doubt that the first thing to do would be to change the fluid. Then take it from there.

 

[unDummy]

Replace the vehicle speed sensor and the solenoid pack in the transmission.

If the VSS, solenoids, and new ATF/filter don't work, then you have bigger problems that can be fix/upgraded during the next rebuild.

Also, have the vehicle scanned for any errors and reset.

 

[RedDart]

Quote:

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Replace the vehicle speed sensor and the solenoid pack in the transmission.

If the VSS, solenoids, and new ATF/filter don't work, then you have bigger problems that can be fix/upgraded during the next rebuild.

Also, have the vehicle scanned for any errors and reset.

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All those things are worth a try but also keep in mind that the AX4N transaxle is problematic and prone to sudden failure (I know that from personal experience with a 1995 Taurus). Losing first gear may be a sign of an impending failure of the transmission.

 

[alreadygone]

If this is only occasionally as you stated, I'd follow unDummy's reccomendations ASAP.

Bob

 

[punisher]

Well, before your brother throws any parts at it, pull codes first. He might get lucky and have a code to provide a starting point for a proper diagnosis. It doesn't sound like a major problem yet so there is time to spend figuring out the problem.

I don't see a VSS causing this concern, at least not without a few other symptoms being present.

Is the trans an AX4S or AX4N?

 

[LouDawg]

Not sure whether it's the 4S or 4N...I'll check. But he did tell me this afternoon that it ALSO sometimes will not want to shift *out* of 1st and up into the higher gears when taking off. So looks like it's having occasional sticking or delayed shift on both ends.

 

[LouDawg]

Quote:

---

Replace the vehicle speed sensor and the solenoid pack in the transmission.

If the VSS, solenoids, and new ATF/filter don't work, then you have bigger problems that can be fix/upgraded during the next rebuild.

Also, have the vehicle scanned for any errors and reset.

---

Is this the same speed sensor that is suspected in causing his speedometer to drop to zero while driving, even though the car is cruising along with no problems? If so, could the issues be related?

Yes, I've been telling him to go have the codes pulled, but he hasn't made it there yet. I told him AZ will do it for free.

 

[1sttruck]

There are some recall fixes that should have been installed in one version of the transmission - check online or at the dealer.