Calling All Ax4n Transmission Mechanics!!!!

[firstwindstar02]

You can attach an engine hoise to the van's frame and lower the whole van until the subframe is resting on a pallet with caster wheels (is preferable) and then raise the van until you have clearance to the remove the subframe and transmission. You could do this coupled with his idea of making the home made engine support bracket so that you don't have to disconnect the whole engine (WHICH IS WELL WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD). If you do disconnect the engine you'll need new coolant, a/c recharge, and maybe some more power steering fluid ( depending on how careful you are). It's well worth rebuilding. You'll understand your vehicle more and save thousands.

[50mustangs]

still no chance to work on it. rain, rain, go away!!!!

[Daewoo]

There is a fair to decent chance that your problem here is a sheared pump shaft. That is reasonably common (I have replaced my own and 2 others).

You can actually replace it in-vehicle...it just takes some tight quarters work.

mpeoples.....I have a '96 windstar (AX4S) that will not shift into third...it shifts out of second and there is just nothing there for third.

I cannot find my manual for the life of me. Would you mind looking up a couple of things in yous for me???

First, I cannot remember which accumulator is 1-2 and which is 3-4. Could you look that up for me? The other thing is that if I remember correctly, R-1 share a shift pack, 2-3 share a shift pack, and OD has its own. Is that right or have I botched it in my head?

I am thinking that it is probably a leaky accumulator and hoping like hell that I remember the clutch pack setup right (if 2-3 share a clutch pack and 2 works, I have not burned out a pack),

If you could look those two things up for me I would REALLY appreciate it. I ordered another manual but live in the middle of nowhere and it will be a week getting here. In the meantime I am beating myself to death trying to figure out if this is going to be a $30 repair or a $1000 repair

[Steve-S]

I have this same problem in a 98 Taurus. I was thinking it was the Pump Shaft also. I bought a used pump & Valve Body w/shaft & just finished installing them. So far I've only put 3 Qts of fluid in but it don't go nowhere. :-( Any ideas on what else this could be? I have a 1994 AX4N Factory Manual coming but not real sure that's going to be a help since they apparently changed it for 98 (& then twice in 98?).

Any help is appreciated.

Steve

[mpeoples]

Sorry for the tardy reply. I need to subscribe to the thread so I know when someone replies.

If you are looking at the transmission with output shaft to the left (the manual control shaft pointing toward you), then the top spring is the Neutral-Drive, the middle spring is the 3-4, and the bottom is the 1-2.

Go to this site: Transtar Industries, Inc. - Catalogs They have incredible pictures of the transmissions. The answer to your question is, there are four clutches. The forward, intermediate, and direct clutch are grouped together in the shell assembly. The reverse clutch is separate. The forward clutch is the "top" of the shell assembly. The direct and intermediate clutches are part of a single casting, but are separate clutches. The direct clutch is on the "top" of this two clutch assembly.

I am not a professional mechanic, but my (admittedly limited) experience has taught me a couple of things: Get a manual, check every part for tolerance, free movement, etc. (especially the valve body), and work carefully (don't mix up parts, keep sub-assemblies together).

I suspect your problem may be in the valve body. Most problems are very apparent from visual inspection. If the solenoids are good, it's probably mechanical. If you suspect leaks, get a gaskets and seals kit and replace them all.

[mpeoples]

Check line pressure with an oil pressure gauge. If you've got good pressure, the pump is okay. You can remove the valve body cover (see above) and inspect the control valve body. That's most likely to be the source of the problem (stuck valve, bad shift solenoid, etc.).

One other thing (and this means pulling the tranny) is these units are notorious for eating clutch packs when something goes wrong. A broken wave spring in a clutch pack can cause inconsistent engagement, or a stuck valve can burn a clutch. Check the fluid (old fluid). If it's burned or there are lots of little black particles in it, you've torched a clutch pack.

[mpeoples]

By the way, the ATSG manual does not mention accumlator leakage as one of the causes for no 2-3 shift. Something in or around the valve body is probably the culprit.