2003 Windstar SEL Transmission Problem

[cyman73]

Hello all,

I am experiencing an intermittent hard shift problem in my Windstar, which only has 76K miles. I have owned this minivan since new and I also had a factory extended warranty.

Approximately 1 year ago when the vehicle had ~65K miles, I took it to the local Ford dealer to have a leak investigated. At that time, the mechanic told me that he checked the transmission, because of TSA which was related to the transmission, and he discovered that my transmission needed to be rebuilt. The extended warranty covered all the work and I didn't have to pay a dime. Incidentally the cause of the leak was never found, so they changed the valve cover gaskets and head gaskets. The leak never returned.

Now only 11K later, the transmission is jerking very hard especially when shifting from 1st to 2nd. This problem is intermittent though. So I took the minivan back to the dealer and told them about the problem. They told me that the rebuilt transmission was only warrantied for only 10K miles after the fix. Lucky me. They told me that they reset the transmission computer and they noticed that the problem went away. I also noticed that the problem went away. Now, approximately 1 month later, the hard shift symptom is back.

What should I do? Am I screwed? How do I reset the transmission computer?

Thank you.

[cyman73]

I took the car back to the dealer and they agree that something is wrong internally with the transmission. For this diagnosis they will be charging me $150.

Now they are telling me that they want to remove the tranny and determine exactly what is broken inside. For this diagnosis I have to authorize $720 labor charge to drop the transmission.

Approximately 10000 miles ago the Overdrive drum was replaced and they overhauled the valve body, but they did not rebuild the trans.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[GraybeardAv]

Sounds like you didn't get any warranty with the rebuild. Too bad.

Intermittent failures are most often an electrical problem, not mechanical. I would have an independent shop look it, especially since it could be a problem external to the transmission.

I had a used '03 tranny with 67K on it installed in my 02 back in May. The installer recommended Lucas Oil additive, which he installs in every transmission. I must say it is really smooth shifting.

$15 for Lucas Oil, and then to an independent shop seems a better bet than taking in back to a dealer who didn't do it right the last time. I would not take it to a big name place, but to a true independent who is not trained to sell you the highest price you can tolerate.

GB

[cyman73]

I was initially told, 1 year ago, that the transmission was being rebuilt - that is what the Ford dealer said. Now I am being told that the transmission was not rebuilt, only the overdrive drum was replaced and overhaulled the valve body.

I am in communication with the Ford customer service and I'm waiting to see what they will do or offer me. I'm not holding my breath though.

Maybe I shouldn't say this on this forum, but I wish I had purchased the Honda or Toyota minivan...

[cyman73]

Where would be the best place to overhaul/rebuild a transmission? I live in the Chicagoland area.

Thank you.

[mark v]

I got mine done at Aamco with a 2 year warranty thrown in for free. Total cost was $1945.