Ford FreestarThe Ford Freestar is a solid, highly capable minivan that performs well and offers all the latest safety features. Much of the Freestar's structure and design came from the Windstar it replaced. Windstar offered class-leading safety and solid performance for its time. Freestar is the highest quality minivan it has ever built.
I have 05 Monterey was driviing down the highway just like you shifted into neutral in all gears. The van has about 50,000 miles, always serviced at Ford dealership.
Van drove great up to now. I have been reading about torque converter problems. I went
to Ford and talked to sevice manager he said there hasn't been any major transmission problems with this model van . Reading the Forum tells me they have been.
Any suggestions Warranty run out August 08 Thanks
Last edited by vantastic09; 06-26-2009 at 10:10 PM..
Did it start working correctly or is it still a nogo? If nogo, it is easy as it obviously has a problem.
If it started working correctly then your experience was possibly a glimpse of what is down the road. You have to be the judge here as to whether you think this thing is going to go; if it is, do neutral drops from 4000 - 5000 rpms until she goes. Kinda ruff but it will force them to fix it. Not sure if this would kill it but you could also stand on the brakes (not letting the vehicle move), put the tranny in gear and hold the rpms up to fry the bands.
Most people probably won't support advice telling you how to break this but I look at it like the straw breaking the camels back; you are just a sick dog out of her misery.
The van is dead in its tracks won't move. Just like you turned the neutral switch on that quick no warning. I read in the Forum where people have same problem it was spline in torque converter sheared. Does that mean
trans has to be replaced . Bought van new always keep it serviced on
time never pulled aload beside the family. Do you think it could be electrial problem?
Thanks
Last edited by vantastic09; 06-27-2009 at 06:49 AM..
I would:
1. Check alignment of gear indicator below speedo. If it's out on any gear, it could be a symptom.
2. Check the level and smell of the fluid, engine running.
3. Check for and isolate possible engine codes.
4. Remove and replace fuse F40 in the Bussed Electrical Center.
5. Remove air cleaner to have a view of the shift mechanism and switch on top of the tranny.
6. Look for leaking from master cylinder pressure switch.
7. Have a friend shift through the gears while you watch the shifter on top of the tranny move.
8. Disengage the connector on top of the tranny, and put a drop of ATF from the dipstick on the contacts to clean them. (The connector will have a spring loaded retainer you have to release.)
9. Ignition On, check for 12v at pin 3 and pin 10.
10. Put a pair of wheel chocks behind one rear wheel, and jack up the opposite front wheel. In Park, it will be locked, with a little play. In any gear, it should turn with resistance.
11. It could be a DTR, Digital Transmission Range sensor, and I have heard of those going bad. It's hard to access. Somebody else will have more knowledge of it.
12. If all the above pass, find a reputable independent shop. Figure $2K or a little more, depending on your locale. I would have mine repaired, rather than a rebuilt with probably over 100K miles, unless the fluid is full of junk.
If the fluid is contaminated, you need to replace the radiator, too, or have it thoroughly flushed off the car.
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Please let us know what happens.
GB
Last edited by GraybeardAv; 06-27-2009 at 09:53 AM..
The fluid is clean with no smell, Gear selector works fine. I will do the other
test. Is the connector marked 3&10 on the pin. I will let you know
Thanks
F-40 Fuse is good , Good clean connection on top of tranny. Front wheels
turn with little resistance from brake pads in park they are locked. Next step
I am dropping pan to see if particles in pan does Ford have a collector magnet
in pan
Thanks for information
Our 05 Monterey has towing package . Fluid to transmission is super clean My wife was driving van when transmission failed I don,t think she has ever drove over 60 mph if she has it was down hill Had to be towed in she was pretty upset she depended on the van. If I don,t get it fixed the 05 Monterey may be Home Sweet Home
Just Kidding!!!!!
Last edited by vantastic09; 06-27-2009 at 08:47 PM..
My wife's 04 Freestar had the identical symptom; all gears became neutral with no warning, fluid was clean. It was just 6 weeks out of warranty and the dealer wanted $3K for a complete transmission, so I took it to a trusted friend with an auto-shop. It was the torque converter (aluminum hub) splines.. The steel input shaft was OK so he put in an upgraded converter with stronger / harder splines. NO need to replace the entire transmission... There a few small aluminum shavings but they were caught in the filter screen. It runs like new again and the cost was only $1200.. Makes me wonder how many other Freestar owners paid for an entire transmission when maybe they did not need one.. from Paul-B in Toronto.
Thanks for the information The Ford Dealer gave us the price of about 3k
For a rebuilt transmission. I going to talk to a local transmission shop with
the information I have collected.Sure glad to hear tranny might not have to be replaced This would save us alot of money this is critical being we are still making monthly payments.
We always kept van serviced on schedule. Thanks again
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05 Monterey No Go 
05 Monterey No Go 
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