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Vans & Minivans Ford Freestar Ford Freestar Transmission Problems
951 messages, Last post on Dec 06, 2009 at 3:15 PM
You are in the Ford Freestar Forum. Your Host is Karens
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I have been spending hours doing exessive research on this problem. The general forum suggestions have been new tranny or torqu converter. My personal mechanic eliminated those a while back and by the results shown in this discussion area, we can safely rule those options out because it did not resolve the issues. Then we are on to sensor issues. I personally, have replaced crank shaft/senor, cam shaft sensor (at least twice), axode sensor, and some other transmission sensor, and the ABS module. I have done the regular 30,000 mile tranmission fluid change as suggested also. My mechanic had told my husband that after the ABS module was changed, if that did not fix the problem there was one other thing that it may be. After doing extensive research, I am thinking that he may be right. I have been reading several service bulletins. Tomorrow my husband is going to attempt to fix it himself per "easy fix" directions that he got and specs that we had printed off at the dealership (you know, the one who "never heard anything like this before"). I will certainly keep you updated. But here is what I found out (from some reliable sources like Consumer Guide): ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY ISSUES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN Reference Number(s): 06-14-10, Date of Issue: July 24, 2006 Superceded Bulletin(s): 05-23-7, Date of Issue: November 28, 2005 Related Ref Number(s): 05-23-7, 06-14-10 ARTICLE BEGINNING ISSUE Some 1999-2003 Windstar and 2004-2007 Freestar / Monterey vehicles built prior to 6/22/2006 may exhibit engine / transmission driveability issues due to water entering the powertrain control module (PCM) or transaxle vent. Symptoms may include various diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), harsh or delayed transmission shifts / engagements, no reverse engagement, engine overheat, engine lean condition causing a misfire (possibly leading to melted electrodes on the spark plugs), and rough idle. The water leakage may be due to the PCM connector cover not seating completely and water leaking down from the cowl panel grille (cowl top vent panel) area. ACTION During normal diagnostic and repair procedures, inspect for evidence of water damage at the PCM, PCM connector, and/or transaxle. If present, inspect the sealing area of the PCM cover, seal the water leak path in the cowl panel grill area, and service the PCM as needed per the following Service Procedure. SERVICE PROCEDURE Disconnect the PCM connector. Remove the PCM cover from the studs in the bulkhead. ( Fig. 1 ) Fig. 1: PCM Connector Inspect the body sealant on the bulkhead to ensure it is not protruding out causing the cover not to seal properly in that area. ( Fig. 2 ) If sealant is interfering with the PCM cover, remove excess with a sharp tool. Reinstall the PCM cover ensuring the cover seals and is flush with the bulkhead. Fig. 2: Body Sealant On Bulkhead 1. Remove the wiper pivot arm. ( Fig. 3 ) a. Release pivot arm nut cover. b. Remove the pivot arm nut. FORD: 1999-2003 Windstar; 2004-2007 Freestar MERCURY: 2004-2007 Monterey NOTE: This article supersedes TSB 05-23-7 to update the Service Procedure and model years. Page 1 of 4 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY ISSUES -2004 Mercury Monterey 8/3/2008 |
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Replying to: afraidofmyvan (Dec 19, 2008 3:42 pm) Jim Genovese Annapolis, MD |
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Replying to: scummins (Dec 20, 2008 10:22 am) Jim Genovese Annapolis, MD
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Replying to: skihigh (Dec 20, 2008 8:41 pm) Jim Genovese Annapolis, MD |
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Thank you Jim. With people like you, there's hope for us unfortuanite FORD owners!!!!!!! It is bound to end up for death for some FREESTAR owner. We very well could've been killed when our tranny quit. Again, $2000.00 later, we're having 'MORE" problems with our piece of junk. No response from anyone. Keep on people, we may be at least keeping Fords' sales low. 
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Replying to: shocked1 (Dec 22, 2008 10:35 am) Also, to the poster who mentioned about the slow activation of the transmission, for that I do agree. I notice then when I put it into Reverse or Drive, it takes about 2 seconds to engage. I purposely wait for it to fully engage (you can feel a subtle catch) before hitting the gas. I wonder if hitting the gas too fast with this touchy transmission could cause these paper thin transmissions to give way a little faster. I remember my driving instructor way back in the day telling me one of the worst things you can do to a transmission is to flip between gears too fast without full activation before hitting the gas. Also, a thought as to why there is no recall on these things. Is it possible they don't consider a mechanical problem a safety issue? Sure someone could be killed by a failing transmission, but the same could be said for "can" belts that break or anything for that matter that could make a car stop running. I agree 100 % there should be a recall but I wonder if that's the reason there is none. One final thought (word of encouragement), I talked to someone at the store the other day with a Freestar. I asked him what year it was. He said it was a 2004 and he has over 200,000 miles on it and it's the best vehicle he's ever had. No problems other than normal wear. It's weird how these things fail on some people so prematurely and yet there are others out there that go for 200,000 without a single problem. Was there perhaps a "bad batch" of these things and a "good batch?" 
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Replying to: jerrypaul (Dec 22, 2008 10:58 am) 
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Replying to: skihigh (Dec 20, 2008 8:41 pm)
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Replying to: skihigh (Dec 22, 2008 10:43 pm) and an owner piss of $%#$%$$^%#^&#& freestar tranny just went at 41,000 miles, $1,900 later sorry there others suffering but glad not alone :lemon law should include such problems |
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Replying to: skihigh (Dec 20, 2008 8:41 pm) Sorry to hear about all your troubles seems that you have the right attitude though gotta keep laughing. I had a question as just today my freestar seems to contract the same aliments as I have been reading about that is a defect that Ford knew about it seems though I may be one of the luckier ones as my freestar has 91K miles. I was reading your research and wanted to find out if you could help me locate the PCM so my husband can check if it has any water seeping in to it from the Crowl grille. I am very thankful that I found this site as a few hours ago we were convinced it was just the transmission and thought we were in for a very expensive replacement funny thing is that the car not only would not go forward but at a slow rate and not reverse at all but the car died as well. Hopefully it will just be the water problem... We can always hope... Thanks so much and hope your fix will work for you. 
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