1994 Ford Taurus Transmission Slipping

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GNUSENSE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
( 1994 v6 Taurus 3.8 Fuel injected automatic 81,000 miles)

My Taurus has been feeling like the tranny is slipping between gears. Mainly getting into first and out of second. I've been told that Taurus's are known for having tranny problems and that I probably need a flush. I've also been told that flushing can mess up your car? I'm the 3rd owner of the car and i do know that the transmission was rebuilt at one point and since i've owned the car i've had to replace the tranny cooler & line. My question is does my shifting problem sound like a tranny problem or could it be something else? I've noticed that since it started slipping more i've been burning gas quicker..is this related?

Thank you!
Mar 13, 2007 at 5:01 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
ax4s trans are known troublemakers,, if they're rebuilt, there are a lot of updated parts.. yours sounds like trouble waiting.. I've never had a problem with a trans flush, however I have had two trans failures, one ax4s and one ax4n,, better get yours looked at, it can be checked for trans codes, on the obdI system, the trans codes usually do not set the check=engine light, they can be in the hard memory.. take it to a locally-owned reliable trans shop. some will diagnose for free or small fee, they can check for codes and run some pressure tests thru ports....I prefer the small local shop for this
Mar 13, 2007 at 11:43 AM
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DAN9235
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  • 2 POSTS
try changing speed senser
Mar 15, 2007 at 2:44 PM

Suggested Repair

Have a local transmission shop scan for stored AX4S transmission codes on the OBD-I system and perform pressure tests before assuming a flush is needed. Transmission codes may be stored without lighting the check engine light. A speed sensor is also worth checking as a possible related cause.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1994 Ford Taurus 3.8 automatic reports slipping mainly into first and out of second, plus higher fuel use. The transmission was previously rebuilt, and the cooler and line were replaced. An expert says AX4S units are trouble-prone and recommends a local shop check codes and pressures rather than relying on a flush. Another reply suggests trying the speed sensor.

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