2003 Windstar transmission?

[50mustangs]

I'm looking at a 2003 Windstar that only 60,000 miles with a transmission problem. I told a friend I would take a look at it. here's what happened: his wife pulled out from a red light and once through the light it was like it shifted to neutral and it's never shifted into gear since. sounds to me like she broke a shaft or something but she said it made no noise, just like it went into neutral. They had it towed to AAMCO and they said the transmission was wiped out and gave them an estimate of about $3000.00 to fix it. I told them I would take a look at it and if it is wiped out I could change it with a remanufactured transmission for half the price. Also I gather that this transmission is the same as a taurus or sable. any truth to that? any info would help. thank you

[mark v]

Yep it is the same transmission. Mine did the same thing, however revving the piss out of it I could get it to move. Aamco charged me only $1945 to rebuild my 1998.

[50mustangs]

just ran across somebody who said that their Windstar did the same thing and the problem was the torque converter. Also saw that it could be a silonoid or could be the clutches welded together. Anybody know how to diagnose the problem before I pull the transmission. I don't know whole lot about electroniclly controlled transmissions. Also anybody know of any step by step websites on Windstar/Taurus transmission repair. thanks guys

[firstwindstar02]

I did a 2003 engine swap on my 2002 windstar. Your gonna have to drop the subframe that the engine and transmission are housed on. There isn't enough room in the engine bay to disassemble the transmission and engine without taking them out of the vehicle.

This may seem like a big feat it I assure you that you can do this swap in 6-12 hrs depending on the tools/skillset you possess and obviously if you have all the necessary parts before you even disconnect a vacuum line.

Your going to have to detach the coolant hoses, transmission hoses, electrical connectors, brakes, vacuum lines, & w/e i left out . Before you loosen the four subframe bolts and carefully lower the subframe onto a pallet/dolly.

Once you have the subframe on your pallet/dolly you can raise the van high enough with a cherry picker crane to pull the engine out from beneath the van.

Once you have the subframe assembly free from the van you can easily detach the transmission from it's mounts and the flexplate to torque converter nuts from the engine. Make sure you have the transmission supported with the cherry picker before loosening the mount.

The torque converter is going to be in the transmissions bellhousing and isn't attached and normally slides out. Watch out it is filled with transmission fluid.

If the torque converter looks 'burned' or scarred then you need a new one. Inspect the flex plate teeth for wear and replace accordingly.

Reassemble in reverse order. If you need more specific instructions/pictures and torque specifications let me know.