AOD-E is shifting all wrong

JonDawg · Sep 11, 2005

hi all. I have my 95 cougar with 158k on it. Now its shifting high and SOFT (usually) I can manually shift it into 2nd, but it really hangs in gear before it shifts. And if I push harder, the revs go up, but it stays in 2nd. Now If I put it back into Drive, (under ~40) it will shift back to 1st. It also does it between 2nd and 3rd.

I think its a stuck valve, and it needs a complete flush. but a mechanic is sayin it just needs some trans cleaner (miracle in a bottle stuff) Also, I wonder if its low on fluid, but the stick reads fine.

It has happened before, but went back to norm so..........

Has anyone else gone thru anything like this??
any thoughts or suggestions??

Thanx,
Jon.

Dark Knight GT · Sep 11, 2005

It could be a number of things, especially at that high of mileage. First, let me get a few questions out there.

1. Has this problem ever occured before ? If so, how long ago ?

2. Have you ever changed the transmission fluid in this transmission ? If so, how long ago ?

3. What kind of transmission fluid are you using ?

4. When you checked the transmission fluid, was it hot or cold when you checked it ? Also, was it barely at the full line, or completely full ?

5. When you checked the fluid, did you see any metal grit or dirt on the dip stick ?

6. When it shifts from 2-3 and from 3-o/d, do you ever by any change have a wheel jerk, kinda like you're driving over rail road tracks or something of the like ?

7. When it shifts from 2-3 and from 3-o/d, does it ever suddenly fall out of gear immediately following the shift ?

The trans cleaner additive the guy was reffering to is a transmission conditioner that is designed to clean and condition the transmission. I believe Seafoam makes some of this stuff, but I've never used it. I don't see where it could hurt though. Chances are, a fluid flush would clear it up, but not 100 percent positive on that.

Kilgore Trout · Sep 11, 2005

When a transmission starts having problems, do the easiest and cheapest troubleshooting step first. That step would be the fluid. So I say go with the flush and fill.

Dark Knight GT · Sep 11, 2005

The reason why I asked all of the questions above is because I'm trying to determine what the problem might be before he decides to do anything. If his transmission clutches are blowing, and he decides to go ahead and do a complete flush and fill, that might finish his transmission off. Remember, transmission fluid is highly detergentized. Meaning, its a cleaning formula, as well as a lubricant. At that high of mileage, doing a full flush and putting new fluid in might break down what little is holding his internal pieces together and finish it off. Thats why I was trying to determine if something was blew first or not. If he has grit in the transmission fluid, or some of the symptoms I listed above, he most likely has something that is going out. So doing a flush will only do so much.

Hopefully, he will respond back to answer the questions.

Kilgore Trout · Sep 11, 2005

Sorry man, you know a lot more about it than I do

JonDawg · Sep 12, 2005

Ok, sorry it took so long to get back: long weekend. . . . .NOT!!!

ok, Ill try to answer what I can.
1. yes, intermittant. about a month ago. I was gonna do a flush then, but It stopped, and I forgot. Also, It went back to normal again yesterday (after I dumped a whole nother quart in it.
2. No, bought it an 106k, and It was shifting really nice till now. Really firm 1-2, broke the tires loose, and chirped em again in 2-3 at wot.
3. Stock standard Mercon III Dexron stuff.
4. Barely at the (cold) full line, cold. But, I checked it yesterday and it was lower (hence dumping a complete quart in it.
5. no metal, dirt, debris. Fluid did always look glazed, but not burnt...
6 & 7. nope

I know, Ive done some stupid/neglectful things with the trans, (a lot of stuff I complain at girls about) so flame away about that.
Also, when I (over)filled it, it still shifted high. I could rev it right to the limiter, then Id let off the gas, and itd shift to 3rd. Id really have to hold it at 5300 rpms for a long time, then itd gently go to second. Im almost positive some piece of debris is stuck in the servo. So Im thinkin about a complete flush and and some of that conditioner. Ill hold off for a couple more days (or till it acts up again ) then take it in when I have a lil money.

Dark Knight GT · Sep 12, 2005

Ok. The information you supplied makes your case sound better. Especially since there isn't any debris or dirt showing in the fluid. Thats always a good sign. Since you haven't changed the fluid, I would recommend a complete flush. Go to advanced auto, and look for some Seafoam transmission cleaner. Run it through the car for a little bit, and then change the fluid. While you're at it, with that high of mileage, I would go ahead and add some transmission conditioner to it. Lucas makes some. It will help to treat the seals in the transmission. I would say put Mercon V in it, but if you've been running it with Dexron/Meron III for this long, I don't see where Mercon V is really going to help anything. If the transmission is a 4r70w automatic(and I know some cougars do use it), then you want to put Mercon V in it anyways, as that particular transmission is meant to be operated with Mercon V.

tomustang · Sep 13, 2005

tcc getting stuck?

Dark Knight GT · Sep 13, 2005

tomustang said:
tcc getting stuck?

That is why I asked questions 6 & 7 above. The TCC clutch locks up during 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. If it falls out of gear immediately following etiher of these shifts, it could be the torque converter isn't staying locked long enough for the shift to compelte its cycle. Also, if the TCC was going bad, he would probably experience that vibration and jerking I mentioned in question 6 during his 2-3 and 3-4 shifts.

forpit2000gt · Sep 13, 2005

new filter, complete drain( tq convert, too ) Mercon V( kind of hard to find) , and either Lucas or Trans X has worked on a couple of my trucks as well.

JonDawg · Sep 13, 2005

awesome, Thank you all for the help. Ill run down to checker (no Advance 'round here, but...) and get some. I think its the 4r70w, dont they have the electronic OD lockout?? thats what I have.

How long do ya think I should run with that trans cleaner in it?? I usually put on about 40 miles during the week, and another 30-50 on weekends.

Anywayz, Thanx again. Ill do it tonite.
Jon.

forpit2000gt · Sep 14, 2005

trans conditioner is left in there.

Dark Knight GT · Sep 14, 2005

JonDawg said:
awesome, Thank you all for the help. Ill run down to checker (no Advance 'round here, but...) and get some. I think its the 4r70w, dont they have the electronic OD lockout?? thats what I have.

How long do ya think I should run with that trans cleaner in it?? I usually put on about 40 miles during the week, and another 30-50 on weekends.

Anywayz, Thanx again. Ill do it tonite.
Jon.

Just for the record, there are two products mentioned. Transmission cleaner, and transmission conditioner. The conditioner is left in there following the change of the fluid and filter. It will help to condition the seals. The cleaner is put in before you change the fluid. No need to drive it very far. About 5-10 miles will do fine. Make sure you go through all the gears too so it gets worked in there. As for the electronic o/d lockout, that sounds like the 4r70w. In that case, get some Mercon V transmission fluid. Its a bit more expensive, but thats what it is meant to have in it. Good luck, and let us know how things turn out.

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