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Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
DOHC Duratec 24 valve. Driving is good, gears change fine but in hot weather when braking for a stop sign, red light, or by pulling into an establishment, when I let of the brake and move to press the gas, it is as if the car is in neutral. All I have to do is turn the car off and back on again. This never happens in the winter and has been happening for at least three years during the hot seasons. Once again the car will just rev like neutral and have no pull to go forward.
Monday, June 4th, 2018 AT 6:53 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
The first thing I would do is check the fluid level and condition. Here is a guide to help you service the unit and check the fluid:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 862 POSTS
Fluid level is good. As for condition is is slightly brown. Two months from now will be one year since the last transmission service, and I am 8,000 miles until the service is due at every 30,000. Sound about right?
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes, even if the check engine light is not on we should run the codes to make sure we do not have a shaft seep sensor that is going out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 862 POSTS
No codes shown on my code reader. Though, sometimes when it rains I will get a transmission range sensor too high code, or something like that.

Other than that, seems like Ia m just due for a service? I know these Ford AX4N transmissions are not good and act weird, so I am just worried.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes, that will do it. The transmission range sensor tells the transmission what gear it is in so if it fails it will go out of gear. Here is the location so you can change it out.

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
CANNON1349
  • MECHANIC
  • 862 POSTS
Reviving this thread because I changed the transmission range sensor on this car maybe 6 months ago after getting a code for high voltage. Engine light stays off and has been shifting okay, but last night the car would not get out of 1st gear. I turned O/D off and then back on and it has been fine since. Could be related to the sensor?
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Not really. It sounds more like the turbine shaft speed sensor is not working correctly. Here is a diagrams of the location so you can change it out. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM

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