Engine Performance problem
1999 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 175000 miles

Hello.
My mercury sable started dieing today when I put it in drive . Engine light is on and it was on ever since I purchased the car.The engine code suggested that either transmission fluid is low(checked-ok) or transmission is wore out(slippage in transmission).No new codes were present at scan.
Also I checked all vacuum lines for cracks-everything seems to be as usual.What would I need to look at next?

Hi, it sounds like the trouque converter is locked up, follow this link for more information


The torque converter is designed to act as a fluid coupler that can engage and disengage with the increase and decrease of engine rpm. When the vehicle is not in motion while the engine is running the torque converter is in action. The torque convert converts fluid pressure to lock the converter output shaft. Once the shaft has locked the transmission receives engine power. At minimum engine rpm fluid pressure is low and the torque converter allows the engine to "freewheel" from the transmission........




http://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_work/torque_converter.htm


let me know if you have any questions

2CarPro Ken wrote:

Hi, it sounds like the trouque converter is locked up, follow this link for more information let me know if you have any questions

I gave it some gas when I put it in 'drive' and drove it around.Now it drives fine like nothing happened.
How do I repair locked up torque converter?Is there any way to maybe flush the system or put aditive to it?

Hi, yes a transmission service can help. Please follow this link.


http://www.2carpros.com/how_to/transmission_service.htm


let me know how it goes.

Thank you for suggestion.
I have a concern about my transmission.Due to the fact of vehicle being 179.000 miles old transmission fluid nor filter has never been changed.One mechanic told me since fluid hasn't been changed it's better to leave it alone because particles in the fluid act as friction agent to help worn clutches grab.Do you agree with such statement?Should I just save the fluid and replace filter and then replace fluid with old one or should I replace both fluid and filter? Or should I leave it the way it is?

Hi, is the car working ok now?

Yes Sir.
it's working fine now.Have a little ruttle under the load but it's always been doing that.Other then that it's shifting fine.Runs good Drives okay.

Let, it go untill it acts up again, then service the trans, you have nothing to loose at that point.

Could you tell me why car ruttles under the load like when I go up hill or accelerate rapidly?

sounds like the engine is misfiring, have you had a tune up latety?