It's an automatic, and just today it started slipping (sometimes shuddering, which I interpret as grip-slip-grip-slip) from a dead stop. It shifts fine and doesn't slip on shifts (up or down). My first step was to check the trans fluid level, which was low. I added Dexron III/Mercon fluid in about three steps, and overshot a little. The problem is still there. Is there ANY chance at all this can be fixed without rebuilding the trans? One time AutoRx performed a small miracle on an auto trans for me...
95 Taurus transaxle problem
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It is dying and that is not reversible.
However, I have helped get a few more miles out of a dying transmission by putting Lucas transmission additive.
However, I have helped get a few more miles out of a dying transmission by putting Lucas transmission additive.
Yeah, that's what I figured. I had a 1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager with a transmission leak, which accelerated the wear, and eventually it just wouldn't go if it was cold outside. I put in the recommended amount of AutoRx, drove it around on errands, and let it sit over Thanksgiving weekend. That fixed it long enough for other stuff to break, and eventually the thing became highly inconvenient to drive. That's what I'm hoping I can do with my Dad's Taurus: buy some time so he can save up some money for a replacement vehicle.
I reckon I only have one shot at this, so I better use the right additive. So far, it's one vote for Lucas...
I reckon I only have one shot at this, so I better use the right additive. So far, it's one vote for Lucas...
One of the 'Lubegard' products might help.....but I don't know for sure.
Drop the pan & change the filter, add the lucas 'stop slip' (2 bottles)
If it's torque converter shutter then a trans flush and filter change will correct that. However,these trannys had an alum. piston that would fail and caused a trans failure. If it's the alum piston problem then a rebuild is in next. By the way, if you have to have it rebuilt, make sure they use a stainless piston which is the fix for that problem.
Well, Dad has accepted the eventuality of either rebuilding the trans or replacing the car, so that means the transmission becomes an experiment!
We're going to try Auto-Rx first, and if that doesn't fix it, we'll resort to Lucas. I'll report back on our findings.
tig1, thanks for the info. I had heard about some part that fails in these transmissions, but the information on another forum wasn't very specific.
tig1, thanks for the info. I had heard about some part that fails in these transmissions, but the information on another forum wasn't very specific.
Update: Dad bought a replacement vehicle, so I haven't done anything with the old Taurus yet, but we'd like to keep it as a backup (assuming we can fix or band-aid the transmission enough for it to function reliably for another thousand miles or so). We were thinking that it was a cracked forward clutch piston, and that we'd skip the Auto-Rx and just try to band-aid it with Lucas. Then I drove it up our stupidly steep driveway, and Reverse was almost as slippery as First. Should I go back to my strategy of trying Auto-Rx first, and then resorting to Lucas?
Update: I eventually tried draining some of the ATF and adding Lucas, but I think the trans was so worn out from the slipping that it was way beyond any cure in a bottle. Either that, or the forward clutch piston must have failed catastrophically.
Could try putting Type F in it.
You probably should just rebuild it with a steel piston rather than the aluminum that they used to use up till around Gen4.
I would also change the fluid and filter. Also, a 1995 might have an externally adjustable transmission oil pump pressure cable, and I suspect that you need to adjust the oil pressure up. There is should be a port to connect a pressure gauge.
How many miles are on this transmission?
I've got over 208K in my 1995 Escort's original ATX.
How many miles are on this transmission?
I've got over 208K in my 1995 Escort's original ATX.
I would recommend to pour a bottle of Lubegard platinum (the strongest Lubegard ATF additive), and wait a few weeks before making conclusions. It has friction modifiers in it, and this may help to prolong the life of the transmission. I heard that the Lucas additive is not that good, and could be damaging to transmissions in the long run. Lubegard is a friction modifier and there is a version that has Ford's approval (sold at Ford dealers probably under Motorcraft brand).
If the fluid and filter are old, you may want to drop the pan and change the filter, and then top off the fluid with any Mercon V or whatever is recommended for that transmission.
If the fluid and filter are old, you may want to drop the pan and change the filter, and then top off the fluid with any Mercon V or whatever is recommended for that transmission.
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