Questions and Answers

Escort Transmission Acting Funny Q. Hi Vincent, I have a 1991 Ford Escort 1.9 liter that has an overdrive automatic transmission, L, D, and (D). It has about 207,000 kms on it and I have put nearly 70,000 kms in 2.5 years on the car. Unfortunately I had forgotten to take care of the transmission and now it is acting up.

About a month ago, the transmission started slipping gears, shifting harshly and not shifting into overdrive when it gets hot.

Three mechanics suggested replacing the transmission and we did that two weeks ago. The new transmission is 1994, but I don’t know how much mileage it has on it. While initially the new used transmission was also slipping, that problem has gone after a few days of driving. Shifting gears is still clunky and the car jumps. The mechanic said those are because of the bolts and are easy to repair.

However, the transmission still refuses to shift into overdrive after half an hour drive. Sometimes it does shift into overdrive, but suddenly shifts down again and stays into 3rd even on highways. This happens when the shift gear is in (D), but if I put it in D, then the car stays in 2nd gear max. If I don’t drive the car for half an hour, the problem gets fixed until the transmission warms up again.

I have done an exhaustive search on About.com and Google.com to see if I can figure out what the problem is, but my mechanical knowledge is pretty slim. My questions are:

1. Is the problem the torque converter?
2. If the problem it is the torque converter, isn’t the torque converter part of the transmission?
3. If the problem is the torque converter, can it be fixed or does it need to be replaced?

Thanks a lot,
Reza

A. Here we go Reza, by the numbers.

1. The problem could be a bad torque converter. It might also be a bad lock-up solenoid. It may be a bad throttle sensor since the transmission uses that as an input. There might also be a problem with the valves in the valve body.

2. When you get a new or rebuilt transmission, you will get a new torque converter with it. With a used transmission, you'd probably not get one.

3. Torque converters can not be repaired, only replaced. However, you can buy reconditioned torque converters.

That transmission has a control module that can store DTCs. You can use an analog, not digital, voltmeter set on the 2 volt scale to read the codes. The hook up is a little complicated so I think it would be best to have a transmission shop or the dealer test it.

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