[spragers]

The last few weeks my '91 has been running, well, not like its usual self. Jumping on the gas would result in slow, hesitant shifts, s;uggish first gear acceleration, and sometimes it wouldn't downshift at all. No real slipping that I could notice, or unusual noise (had that once), but I knew something was amiss. Now, I know my tranny has a very slow, undetected leak - which is all good, as long as I remember to check it regularly, I always have fresh tranny fluid going in without a flush

- so I didn't get all paranoid right off the bat and think my tranny was dying.

I checked the fluid and it was almost down to the dreaded "do not drive" mark

. Topped things off and took it out for a spin - the car drove completely different. Flooring it at any speed now again results in IMMEDIATE downshifts (even a rare 3-1 dump

) and overall improved transmission response. That Diablo chip really does help, even on the older non-electronically-controlled transmissions.

In other words, if your tranny starts acting up, don't assume the worst right away - CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL. A properly filled transmission runs a lot better than one that isn't (obviously).

 

[Racer X]

Spragers, your transmission is electronically controlled, fyi.

 

[sundarpn]

For a GEN 3.

Is it better to have ATF all the way up to the top of the cross hatched rregion on the dip stick? The manual says if fluid is in the cross hatched region its right. But where on the cross hatch?

 

[spragers]

QUOTE

Spragers, your transmission is electronically controlled, fyi.[/b]

On a '91? I don't think so

. If it was, they would have programmed that into my Diablo Chip.

You just don't want to overfill, because (at least on my tranny) the only way to remove fluid is to try to siphon it out, or drop the pan.

 

[Racer X]

Originally posted by spragers@Feb 11 2004, 12:19 AM
QUOTE

Spragers, your transmission is electronically controlled, fyi.

On a '91? I don't think so

. If it was, they would have programmed that into my Diablo Chip. [/b][/quote]
Oh, it is. That's what earned it the E designation. AXOD-E... Automatic Transaxle, OverDrive - Electronic

 

[shoz123]

Originally posted by sundarpn@Feb 8 2004, 08:58 PM
For a GEN 3.

Is it better to have ATF all the way up to the top of the cross hatched rregion on the dip stick? The manual says if fluid is in the cross hatched region its right. But where on the cross hatch?

The fluid will expand or contract quite a bit due to temperature. As long as you check it when idling, with the tranny hot, car level and the fluid is above the lowest level you are OK. FWIW I keep mine excatly .32447863" above the low level........

 

[spragers]

Well if it truly is, then that's news to me <_< I figured I'd just go an use the VIN decoder on the home page, but that module is not installed

 

[shoz123]

Ya stupid VIN decoder..... :grrrr:

 

[mikehawk]

What's wrong with an over filled transmission? Won't the fluid expand, and then just rise up into the dipstick/filler tube?

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by mikehawk@Feb 11 2004, 08:24 PM
What's wrong with an over filled transmission? Won't the fluid expand, and then just rise up into the dipstick/filler tube?

I think it adds pressure. That is what I think I remember reading, but dont remember where.

 

[spragers]

Well, think about what happens if you put too much oil in...

 

[Reinhart]

Originally posted by spragers@Feb 10 2004, 11:19 PM
QUOTE

Spragers, your transmission is electronically controlled, fyi.

On a '91? I don't think so

. If it was, they would have programmed that into my Diablo Chip.

You just don't want to overfill, because (at least on my tranny) the only way to remove fluid is to try to siphon it out, or drop the pan. [/b][/quote]
1991 was the year that Ford introduced the electronic automatic transaxle to the Taurus, Sable, and Continental cars.

It was also a rocky start for this model, as this year suffered the most transmission failures. - Reinhart

 

[DMX]

(plus remember you told bob riley you wanted your 1-2 shift right at 5250, if I remember correctly you were pleased that he got it perfect)


Another symptom of low fluid is a revv...snatch action when taking a left turn. Something about the pickup being on the left side so when the fluid is low during the turn you'll get nothing but slippage at first.

 

[mikehawk]

Originally posted by XLSuruaT+Feb 11 2004, 11:32 PM-->QUOTE (XLSuruaT @ Feb 11 2004, 11:32 PM)

<!--QuoteBegin-mikehawk

@Feb 11 2004, 08:24 PM
What's wrong with an over filled transmission?  Won't the fluid expand, and then just rise up into the dipstick/filler tube?

I think it adds pressure. That is what I think I remember reading, but dont remember where.

[/b]

Doesn't higher pressure = firmer shifts?

 

[Sablewagon]

Originally posted by mikehawk@Feb 11 2004, 11:24 PM
What's wrong with an over filled transmission?  Won't the fluid expand, and then just rise up into the dipstick/filler tube?

...and out the top, and onto the exhaust piping, and what doesn't mess up the engine and bottom of the car or burn into a cloud of smoke, drips onto the ground.

Too much fluid also can interfere with the proper operation of the tranny's innards.

 

[spragers]

Actually, I wanted redline to be at 5250

- but he never said anything about shift points.

Doesn't matter, I'm happy with it the way it is. At 172k miles or so, all I have to worry about is driving it until it finally gives in (which hopefully won't be for awhile)