1999 Mercury Sable Car die when put in drive. No computer co

MANINCAN

MEMBER
1999 MERCURY SABLE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
175,000 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?

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,513 POSTS

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........

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

let me know if you have any questions

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Monday, December 1st, 2008 AT 6:51 PM

MANINCAN

MEMBER
5 POSTS

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?

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Monday, December 1st, 2008 AT 9:59 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,513 POSTS

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

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

let me know how it goes.

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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 12:14 PM

MANINCAN

MEMBER
5 POSTS

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?

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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 10:30 PM

KEN L