[GorN]

My transmission is shifting a little hard when I'm accelerating. As far as i know it's when it shifts from 3rd to 2nd then again from 2nd to 1st but only when accelerating not during deceleration. Is this issue only fixed by transmission repair or something less expensive?

Ford Taurus GL 3.0L V6 (SOHC or DOHC?)

Just as well, any tips for any small HP gain? ie. 10-20 and i'm not looking for a single bolt on part (unless it is that easy )

Should I chip it for gas mileage or performance?

 

[glyphmon]

GorN,

Welcome to the club. Some additional information would be useful probably for people to help you diagnose your problem (unless things have changed since I've been gone). If you have the DOHC, there should be a badge just behind the front wheels that says 24V DOHC. I'm guessing as the car is a GL that it's an OHV (there is no SOHC engine for the Taurus). The DOHC should also have some markings on the top of the engine as well that say Duratec.

Usually engine type determines transmission type, as in the DOHC or Duratec is paired with the AX4N while the OHV or Vulcan is paired with the AX4S.

Unfortunately, I have no suggestions for the shifting issue you're experiencing. Some people in these forums have gone to some interesting lengths to increase power. Some searching should yield some good information, but there is generally speaking not a whole lot of extra power to be coaxed out of these engines without major investments in time and $$$. Many programmers can give you different settings for varying degrees of performance or fuel economy. Again, search is your friend.

Good luck and again, welcome to the club.

 

[GorN]

Ok so I dug a little further and found this is the engine I have:

3.0 L SFI Vulcan V6

It's aparently the only engine put in the 97 Taurus GL. As for the transmission I'm not sure but would it really make that large of a difference for this issue?

(note to self: don't trust consumerguideauto.com anymore)

 

[glyphmon]

Again, I'm not an expert in this area and I've been away for the forums for a solid two years, but the basic difference between the AX4S and the AX4N is, if I recall correctly, the S means sequential and the N means non-sequential. The AX4S must shift in direct sequence (ie, 1-2-3-4) while the AX4N can skip gears (ie, 1-3, or 2-4).

I had an experience where hard shifts onset quite rapidly when my torque converter was failing, but that was, as I said, a rapid onset. Also, my issue was with the AX4N which is probably structured a little differently in that regard. If this is a longer-term problem, then the cause is probably something else. How many miles are on the car and is this the original transmission as far as you know?

 

[GorN]

Well it's no biggy. You've already helped me since I know from driving my taurus it never skips from 3rd to 1st only 3-2-1 really quickly so if your memory serves well I have the AX4S transmission. Also, the torque converter is something I have been told to check by a buddy, so it gives me a place to start if it isn't the VSS module.

If anyone else is reading, please feel free to jump in I welcome all the help I can get.

 

[sheila]

Might have vss checked out.

 

[SurHaxalot]

I'm having a similar issue but I'm under the impression that it might be some damage to the valve body. but the torque converter is a new and plausible idea. in fact the hard shift manifested other problems like not shifting to 3rd in D, while in OD everything was fine, then the shift issue migrated to the OD and i lost 4th(OD) then 2 weeks later i lost 3rd. so the highest gear in any selection is 2nd. so I'm not sure whats wrong with it but i'm assuming its the valve body that's all gunked up with clutch debris.

so if i where you i would take care of it soon and try not to drive it much you might end up in the same boat I'm in

 

[rudedog]

check the motor mounts

 

[jw89sho]

S is Synchronized and N is Non-synchronized. The N is a (slightly) stronger unit put behind the Duratec. Doesn't refer to shift pattern.

May try filter/fluid change if it's been a while or if you just got it.

 

[playtimeover]

My transmission is shifting a little hard when I'm accelerating. As far as i know it's when it shifts from 3rd to 2nd then again from 2nd to 1st but only when accelerating not during deceleration. Is this issue only fixed by transmission repair or something less expensive?

Ford Taurus GL 3.0L V6 (SOHC or DOHC?)

Just as well, any tips for any small HP gain? ie. 10-20 and i'm not looking for a single bolt on part (unless it is that easy )

Should I chip it for gas mileage or performance?

Will you please show some photos of your car and its transmission? I will just observe it. I will wait for the photos.