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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1891 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 1:13 PM

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Transmission, Van


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Messages Page 79 of 189

#781 of 1891 Re: 2005 Ford Freestar - Trans [tessbrou] by nadineb

Sep 14, 2009 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: tessbrou (Sep 14, 2009 5:25 pm)
I ask because there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) about water and the PCM. Our mechanic thought this was our problem so we spent money after the dealer suggested to do this on getting the window sealed for any leaks, the engine checked and reset by the dealer, the PCM replaced by the dealer, the vehicle towed to the dealer, the cowl redone by the dealer, the engine codes reset by the dealer, the vehicle retowed to the dealer, the engine lights coming on again, and having many arguments with my spouse about this vehicle.
 
My belief is that the PCM and the transmission problems are all related. There are so many design flaws in this vehicle. I found two articles that prove that Ford rushed this vehicle out of production way to soon. I've copied and credited the source.
 
 Automotive News. 78.6062 (Oct 13, 2003): Ford Division President Steve Lyons likes the new Freestar minivan he is pushing but wishes he could have delayed its debut until next year. It seems a reversal of the get-it-out-faster philosophy of product development, but Lyons knows what he wants. "Frankly, if I had a chance to go back in time and replan it,'' he says, "I would have done the Ford Five Hundred first and let this go another year.'' COPYRIGHT 2003 Crain Communications, Inc.
 
"Product help. " Automotive News. 77.6045 (June 23, 2003)
Full Text:COPYRIGHT 2003 Crain Communications, Inc.
Ford Motor plans to produce 10 nameplates off the Mazda6 car platform. Here are 7 of them.
 
Vehicle calendar year Debut
 
1. Ford Futura sedan 2005
2. Mercury sedan 2005
3. Ford sport wagon 2006
4. Lincoln sport wagon 2006
5. Lincoln sedan 2007
6. Ford Freestar minivan replacement 2007 or 2008
7. Mercury Monterey minivan replacement 2007 or 2008

#782 of 1891 Re: 2005 Ford Freestar - Trans [nadineb] by jtjd96

Sep 16, 2009 (7:09 am)

Replying to: nadineb (Sep 14, 2009 8:09 pm)
There is most likely a connection between the PCM and the transmission issues. As I mentioned in my earlier post, my transmission had to be rebuilt for the same reason everyone else has posted. A month later, the van stalled out on the road. My mechanic then followed the instructions provided in the service bulletin regarding the PCM and we have not had any problems since then (which was about 9 months ago). I filed a complaint with the NHTSA on the transmission and they have since asked me questions regarding the PCM, so hopefully they are investigating both issue together.

#783 of 1891 Re: 2005 Ford Freestar - Trans [jtjd96] by jimmyf1

Sep 16, 2009 (11:41 am)

Replying to: jtjd96 (Sep 16, 2009 7:09 am)
I had the same thing happen to my transmission about 8 or 9 months ago. My wife was heading to work and the rpm's jumped real high then nothing, it was like it was in neutral. I had to have it towed to the dealership. When I got there they looked at it but before that, they told me what the problem was, or what they thought and it was. I asked about the warranty and they said it was not covered. They also went on to tell me that this was a common problem and ford knows about it but wasn't going to do anything about it. I am married with five kids and one is handicap, this was not an expense that I could afford at this time. We had to take out a loan to pay the $2,500.00 it cost to fix it. Now with the van and the loan we pay almost a $1,000.00 a month and for what, the biggest piece of s**t ford has to offer. I have owned ford's my whole life and now I can say with all honesty the ford freestar will be the last ford ever in my driveway. I can only hope ford will stand up and do what is right by the consumers. To bad they would not take them in as cash for clunkers cause that is what they are. And by the way, I only had about 36,000 miles on it when it happened.

#784 of 1891 Trans - Diagnosis by tessbrou

Sep 16, 2009 (1:52 pm)

Our mechanic looked at our car yesterday and said it is for sure the Torque Converter. He said he may also have to replace a pump, but won't know until he pulls it. Said this is a 9 hour job to fix the problem. My repairs will cost around $1K, but with the tow at $285, another tow to the shop and a rental at $250 I am out some money. I want to file a complaint with the NHTSA as well. Is that an easy process via their website? This is crazy. My husband does not feel safe with the driving myself and our child in it anymore, but I would like to suffer through a little while to get it paid off. We are so close!!!

#785 of 1891 Ford Explorer by nadineb

Sep 16, 2009 (2:25 pm)

It looks like the Ford Explorer and the Freestar share the same type of issues.
 
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2004/transmission/transmission_slippi- ng_shifts_hard.shtml

#786 of 1891 should I file a complaint by yfields

Sep 16, 2009 (9:03 pm)

I have a 2004 Monterey. The transmission failed and was replaced at 7,200 miles! No problems since then except for the transaxle light comes on after I drive 40 miles or so and there is hesitation when I take my foot of the gas -this occurs only when the transaxle light is on( this has been going on for a couple of years). The dealer has found nothing wrong. After reading through this forum I am worried that it is only a matter of time for the transmission to fail on me again. I have 3 kids and just started traveling 40 miles one way to soccer game every weekend. Yikes!
I'm not sure if have the basis for a formal complaint or not, but it seems like the more the better.

#787 of 1891 FYI by KarenS HOST

Sep 17, 2009 (7:21 am)

This article may be helpful. It also has a link to NHTSA.
 
What is NHTSA?

#788 of 1891 Re: Trans - Diagnosis [tessbrou] by er1457

Sep 17, 2009 (9:22 am)

Replying to: tessbrou (Sep 16, 2009 1:52 pm)
Filing a complaint on the NHTSA site, (www.safercar.gov), is a piece of cake. Here's the link.
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

#789 of 1891 Fords with Torque Converter problems (Code 1744) by oilandwater

Sep 18, 2009 (6:05 am)

Here is a similar problem on earlier model Fords with Torque Converter problems (Code 1744);
 
TSB 98-6-5 TRANSAXLE - AX4N - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0741 OR P1744 STORED IN MEMORY
 
Publication Date: MARCH 30, 1998
 
FORD: 1996-98 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1996-98 CONTINENTAL, SABLE
 
ISSUE:
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0741 or P1744 may be stored in memory. This may be caused by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) unsuccessfully attempting to engage the torque converter clutch 5 consecutive times. The torque converter clutch may not engage if one or more of the following conditions exist:
 
Stuck converter regulator valve
Stuck solenoid regulator valve
Stuck bypass clutch control valve
Worn pump shaft or damaged seals
Incorrect Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid
Incorrect or damaged internal wiring harness
Incorrect gear ratio
 
ACTION:
Refer to the following Diagnostic Procedure for details.
 
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
1) For DTC P0741 and P1744, perform Pinpoint Test "C" and refer to Diagnostic Routines 240 and 340 in Section 07-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable or Continental Service Manual.
2) Remove the transaxle lower pan and check for excessive debris in the pan.
3) Remove the main control cover and main control.
4) Check for pump shaft wear or damaged seals.
5) Inspect the main control for a stuck converter regulator valve and solenoid regulator valve located in bore "A." Refer to Figure 1.
6) Inspect the bypass clutch control valve located in bore "D." Refer to Figure 1.
7) Clean the main control and make sure all valves move freely. Do not sand, stone, or file valves or bores in the main control.
8) Inspect for the correct TCC solenoid. Refer to TSB 97-13-12 for TCC resistance. 9) TCC resistance should be 0.98-1.6 ohms for 1996-97 Taurus/Sable and 1996 Continental; 13-24 ohms for 1998 Taurus/Sable and 1997-98 Continental.
10) If the transaxle has been exchanged, refer to TSB 97-23-7 .

#790 of 1891 Here is the address at Ford for Safety by oilandwater

Sep 18, 2009 (6:27 am)

Here is the address at Ford for Safety:
 
Mr. James Vondale, Director
Automotive Safety Office
Environmental and Safety Compliance
Ford Motor Company
330 Town Center Drive, Suite 400
Dearborn, MI 48126

Messages Page 79 of 189

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