[Shotimes] Strange ATX behavior

[Steve Tatro]

Are you saying it won't shift into its 4th gear or the torque convertor
won't lockup?  The TC lockup can feel like a totally different gear,
although the RPM drop (from personal experience) is only about
3-400rpms.  What controls the TC lockup is (indirectly) the temperature
of the tranny fluid, so it may take awhile, especially on cold mornings,
to feel this.

For example, with my '93 ATX, cruising at 80mph in OD is about 3100rpm
COLD but once warmed up (takes a few miles now that temps are
approaching 30-40F) drops to 2700rpm.  Unless you're somewhere in the
5000rpm at 80mph, you're in OD (or 4th gear, whatever).

I'm not definite at what tranny fluid temperature the TC finally decides
to lockup.  It's surely quite a bit lower than the optimal temp, as
others (with aux tranny fluid gauges) have noted that it may take 20
miles on the interstate for the fluid to finally reach it's peak
(optimal?) temperature.

If you're *sure* it's stuck in third gear, you may have a problem.

If your particular dealer is giving you the story that they can't fix
your problem unless it's reeealy broken, go out and do some high-rev
neutral drops.  That'll blow a hole in your tranny case the shop can't
ignore.

Oh, and don't assume that when your Coolant temp gauge is in the NORMAL
zone that your engine (oil) is warm...it's not ;^).

Later,

Steve Tatro
Red/Black '93 with 162k miles
Cincinnati, Ohio
www.picturetrail.com/stevetatro

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of sho2go
Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 11:18 AM
To: shotimes@autox.team.net
Cc: TechSHO@topica.com
Subject: [Shotimes] Strange ATX behavior


My fairly new '95 ATX doesn't seem to shift into OD until 10-15
miles/minutes after driving somewhat sedately down the freeway, first
time of the day.  The engine temp has long since stabilized, outside air
temp ~70, what controls this final shift?  Does it take this long for
the tranny to come to temp? Also, the kickdown at lower speeds (40-60)
seems to leave a lot to be desired, first a pause, then high engine
revs, then a kick in the butt.  I still have 3 mos. left on my ext.
warranty; is it time to use it, or will Ford tell me this is normal?
Mike _______________________________________________
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