2005 Town Car transmission problems.

[owner]

6 months ago noticed transmission going out of gear at slow speeds. I took it to a reputable transmission shop and he recommended rebuild since it had 195000 miles on it. Got it back same problem. Took it back and he installed a new 3rd gear solinoid. Same thing. Replaced Output Shaft Speed Sensor. Still doing the same thing. When traveling between 20&30mph if I let off the throttle then press it slightly to resume speed it is out of gear and stays out of gear until it slows down to 18-19mph then it goes into3rd gear. Also if I let off the throttle then slightly depress it so I can hear a slightly raised rpm indicating it is out of gear and leave it there if I start down a hill and reach 30mph it will go into 4th gear. All the above examples are with the OD on. It doesn't do with the OD off. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it? Thanks!

 

[raiderfan247365]

6 months ago noticed transmission going out of gear at slow speeds. I took it to a reputable transmission shop and he recommended rebuild since it had 195000 miles on it. Got it back same problem. Took it back and he installed a new 3rd gear solinoid. Same thing. Replaced Output Shaft Speed Sensor. Still doing the same thing. When traveling between 20&30mph if I let off the throttle then press it slightly to resume speed it is out of gear and stays out of gear until it slows down to 18-19mph then it goes into3rd gear. Also if I let off the throttle then slightly depress it so I can hear a slightly raised rpm indicating it is out of gear and leave it there if I start down a hill and reach 30mph it will go into 4th gear. All the above examples are with the OD on. It doesn't do with the OD off. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it? Thanks!

@owner You ever figure it out? I have an 05' and am having a hell of a time chasing down some shifting issues that are very similar to your symptoms.

 

[Action]

I have an 05' and am having a hell of a time chasing down some shifting issues that are very similar to your symptoms.

Is the fluid level at the top of the hash mark on the dip stick when hot and running in park?
When was the last time the fluid and filter were changed?
How many miles on the vehicle?

Action

 

[raiderfan247365]

Is the fluid level at the top of the hash mark on the dip stick when hot and running in park?
When was the last time the fluid and filter were changed?
How many miles on the vehicle?

Action

Hello there @Action

I mentioned I've had a heck of a time chasing down this issue because I have done what at least I know to be some troubleshooting steps, here's a summary.

-Car has 205,000 miles on it
-I have no codes relating to transmission, I do have an DTC code C1233 for a left front speed sensor, but I don't think that is related.
-I got the car two years ago, don't recall what the service record said at the time for the most recent trans maintenance.
-Symptoms are late and hard shifting, especially in lower gears.
-I dropped the pan, assessed the fluid. It was for sure a dark red color, very dark red, no metallic bits present in pan or fluid though.
-Since I had the pan down, changed the filter and replaced the speed sensor (wish I would have done the torque convertor solenoid while I was at). Refilled fluid to correct level.

No improvements so far, in fact, I wonder if it got worse lol. I actually have a warranty on this transmission so it's not a huge deal if it is indeed failing but I'd rather just fix it and get on with my life if possible.

______________________________

 

[Action]

That code is for the ABS system. It may have some impact or control on the transmission via Stability Control system or program if so equipped.

If you have 50 or 100 miles on the new fluid, get it good an hot and double check fluid level.
You stated your shifting issues are similar. My assumption is that is not exact. Is it just the late and hard shifting. Is this up shifting or down?

Action

 

[raiderfan247365]

That code is for the ABS system. It may have some impact or control on the transmission via Stability Control system or program if so equipped.

If you have 50 or 100 miles on the new fluid, get it good an hot and double check fluid level.
You stated your shifting issues are similar. My assumption is that is not exact. Is it just the late and hard shifting. Is this up shifting or down?

Action

Yea, I ordered a new ABS sensor to hopefully address that code.

I don't know I am going to drive it 50 or 100 miles in it's current condition honestly.

It seems happen most if I am accelerating, then have to brake and the go to accelerate again. But it's also very slow shifting into drive from park.

 

[Action]

The transmission in that Town Car is a 4R70E I believe.
Which is a variation of the AOD. Actually editions after the initial AOD.

I had 4R70W in a Mark VIII. It is very sensitive to fluid type and heat.
There is also a modification that can be done to the 4R70W. It might be something to consider looking at in your 4R70E. Called a J Mod

Do you still have the old speed sensor? If yes reinstall and post back.
That is an external mount, correct?

Action

 

[Action]

It seems happen most if I am accelerating, then have to brake and the go to accelerate again. But it's also very slow shifting into drive from park.

Shifting from park to drive is a mechanical operation. (No electronics) That would say to me fluid level or fluid type.

Electronics come to play in the torque converter. (lock and unlock) And upshifting/downshifting past 1st gear.

Action

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[raiderfan247365]

Update:

I went to drive the car around this morning to get it nice and warm just to double check the fluid levels but I was unable to get the car into drive and then my instrument cluster totally glitched on me, all the readings turned to just lines and I had to restart the car to get the cluster to display again.

And now I have a LOT of DTC's relating to PCM, Instrument cluster, etc.

Sounds like I've got some sort of electrical issue I need to work out. Highly doubt it's anything to do with fluids at this point.

 

[oktowncar]

Update:

I went to drive the car around this morning to get it nice and warm just to double check the fluid levels but I was unable to get the car into drive and then my instrument cluster totally glitched on me, all the readings turned to just lines and I had to restart the car to get the cluster to display again.

And now I have a LOT of DTC's relating to PCM, Instrument cluster, etc.

Sounds like I've got some sort of electrical issue I need to work out. Highly doubt it's anything to do with fluids at this point.

Start with all grounds. remove and clean all contact areas. replace any that are in questionable shape.
Inspect all battery connections and clean them. Make sure they are also good and tight
Load test the battery

 

[raiderfan247365]

Start with all grounds. remove and clean all contact areas. replace any that are in questionable shape.
Inspect all battery connections and clean them. Make sure they are also good and tight
Load test the battery

Thank you, I have already begun. First thing I noted is that my negative terminal was not in good shape so I am starting there. Might have to pay a shop to do the ground check though, I've crawled around enough this week lol.

 

[Action]

With a marginal negative battery cable connection that can cause a lot of issues with getting a good circuit signals.

After that repair, and start the engine, then shut it down and repull codes.

Action

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[raiderfan247365]

Update for anyone that is following.

The shop was able to isolate my transmission issue, something really is wrong with my transmission. So I guess these trans do go bad sometimes, oh well. I actually have a warranty on it so they are going to replace it at no cost to me, pretty sweet.

BUT there is an electrical issue somewhere still, so I am going to have them chase that down before doing anything to the trans, who knows, maybe they are related and the electrical issue is causing everything even though they say they ruled it out

More to come.

 

[Action]

Thanks for the update

Action

 

[raiderfan247365]

Ok, the conclusion you've all been waiting for....

My car was in the shop for almost a month and a half while they went back and forth with the warranty people, who to no surprise of anyone did not want to pay out this claim. My shop had to concede to a used transmission versus a remanufactored one or I would have been out of pocket a couple grand. So I got a new to me transmission and all seems to be well for now, it does have a 12 month warranty, for whatever that is worth. I never got a full explanation as to what exactly happened to my transmission as they were not about to pull it apart if they didn't have to. The Town Car lives to see another day....

Now I get to replace the brake calipers and power steering pump, I love this car

 

[Smiley8509]

6 months ago noticed transmission going out of gear at slow speeds. I took it to a reputable transmission shop and he recommended rebuild since it had 195000 miles on it. Got it back same problem. Took it back and he installed a new 3rd gear solinoid. Same thing. Replaced Output Shaft Speed Sensor. Still doing the same thing. When traveling between 20&30mph if I let off the throttle then press it slightly to resume speed it is out of gear and stays out of gear until it slows down to 18-19mph then it goes into3rd gear. Also if I let off the throttle then slightly depress it so I can hear a slightly raised rpm indicating it is out of gear and leave it there if I start down a hill and reach 30mph it will go into 4th gear. All the above examples are with the OD on. It doesn't do with the OD off. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it? Thanks!

Hey did you figure out the problem with the tranny?

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[ogre01]

Smiley, OP hasn't been around again since that post. But, if you're having similar issues, I'd start by draining fluid and changing your filter (easy, cheap, and maybe works). I don't have the OP's straightline engagement problems, but definitely do on low-speed long curves for accel. My previous Town Car, a fluid change at ~200k miles (also the first one it had had), solved it. On current Town Car at 185k miles (also first one it had had), solved it for a year, but starting to happen again. My assumption, knowing almost nothing about auto-trans, is the filter is mildly clogged, so the pump is able to get enough fluid during typical operation, but higher demand (gear change on corner) it isn't able to pull enough fluid volume to maintain engagement.

 

[Smiley8509]

Smiley, OP hasn't been around again since that post. But, if you're having similar issues, I'd start by draining fluid and changing your filter (easy, cheap, and maybe works). I don't have the OP's straightline engagement problems, but definitely do on low-speed long curves for accel. My previous Town Car, a fluid change at ~200k miles (also the first one it had had), solved it. On current Town Car at 185k miles (also first one it had had), solved it for a year, but starting to happen again. My assumption, knowing almost nothing about auto-trans, is the filter is mildly clogged, so the pump is able to get enough fluid during typical operation, but higher demand (gear change on corner) it isn't able to pull enough fluid volume to maintain engagement.

Hey, I overhauled my tranny January this year and I changed the filter.

 

[Smiley8509]

Hey, I overhauled my tranny January this year and I changed the filter.

The code that's showing up is p2106. Pointing at the throttle actuator