2003 Ford Taurus Gears sticking

2003 FORD TAURUS
120,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DEWALD
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  • 1 POST
I have a 2003 ford Taurus with about 120000 km. When driving my car seems to stick into gear at 3000 rpm. When I put the peddle down to pass a car, as soon as I hit around 3000 rpm, the car chugs like it's stuck in gear, no matter what my speed. Any ideas??
Mar 17, 2009 at 1:46 AM
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JGAROFALO
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 489 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
This has the sound of either starving for fuel or ignition breaking down at 3000 rpm.

I would start by checking fuel pressure while driving during the chugging. If fuel pressure is normal, I would suspect an ignition problem.

Scan for trouble codes. If you have a failing ignition component, it will usually set a trouble code.

You see, the problem manifests itself as "sticking in gear" while in reality, the engine is not reaching the forsed upshift point. It is breaking up and not making power enough to exceed 3000. The transmission is programmed to upshift at 4000 under high load conditions. Since you are not reaching that speed, the transmission seems to be stuck.
Mar 18, 2009 at 6:07 PM
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