Wild story about a slipping transmission

[Lyman]

So I picked up my new to me 1999 Ranger 4x4 a few weeks ago. I bought it cheap and there were a few problems that needed my attention. I was able to take care of those right away. Well while driving it a few days ago the CEL came on. At the same time the transmission slipped a little on me. I was thinking the worst. I messed around with it checking the codes that were lean bank 1&2. Had my local shop check it out and they could find nothing wrong with it. O2 sensors were good along with everything else. So we reset the CEL and low and behold it came back on a day later. And the trans slipped again at the same time. Im checking everything under the sun. I had had the transmission serviced right after I bought it and the shop told me that it looked great.
So today I read an online article about a MAF sensor causing an auto trans to slip. I went out to my truck and opened up the air box to find an over oiled K&N filter residing in it. I went and bought a new filter and a can of MAF cleaner and cleaned the sensor real well. Reset the PCM and went driving. My truck now not only runs stronger and smoother but it shifts real well.
If I had not gone through this myself I would have never believed it.

 

[nwjones18]

That is very strange.. Glad you got it fixed!

 

[Lyman]

Thanks. Here is a link to the article that prompted me to even check it. http://www.engine-light-help.com/mass-air-flow-sensor.html

 

[JGW]

Thanks for the info.

 

[exranger06]

Engine problems can make transmissions act weird sometimes. On my Accord, whenever the distributor cap and rotor get worn out the torque converter will constantly lock and unlock every few seconds on the highway.

 

[oilboy123]

That is very odd. Cars are very [censored] at times.....

 

[doitmyself]

A few weeks after I had my Caravan transmission rebuilt 2 years ago, my transmission started "slipping" (engine raced, no acceleration when pushing on gas pedal). Determining the problem drove the transmission shop nuts.

I ended up having to drive with the shop owner in my van for over an hour to get the problem to finally happen again. With a scan tool attached while we were driving, he finally guessed that the throttle position sensor was defective.

It was uncanny how that TPS caused the transmission to have a slipping feeling. I constantly have to remind myself when diagnosing problems to not assume anything and not jump to conclusions.

 

[Vikas]

If you get lean bank codes, MAF should be high on the list to be checked rather than O2 sensors.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you get lean bank codes, MAF should be high on the list to be checked rather than O2 sensors.


Yup and about any other unexplainable problem you have...

 

[mechtech2]

If the MAF isn't reading right, more throttle must be applied than usual.
This TPS setting is one factor the computer reads for things like shift points, etc.

 

[Lyman]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
If the MAF isn't reading right, more throttle must be applied than usual.
This TPS setting is one factor the computer reads for things like shift points, etc.
You know it seemed as though I was having to push the go pedal more then normal before I fixed it.