94 Ford Taurus Wagon Overdrive issue (maybe?) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

burlapsac · 05-26-2005, 20:59

I just picked up a '94 Taurus GL Wagon and it seems to have a transmission problem. When I have the car in overdrive on the highway and slow down to a stop, the car does not down shift gears. When I hit the gas after stopping it revs and then 3-5 sec later the transmission kicks in (it feels like the car had been bumped) and it goes. I don't seem to have this problem when I drive in "Drive". Anyone have any ideas? I tried changing the tranny filter and fluid but it is still has the issue. The transmission in this car is a AXOD.

Thanks,

Forrest

tristar · 05-27-2005, 15:14

If you do a check with Google on Sable/Taurus transmissions you will find that it was a pretty bad design. Awful, really. Your 1994 is one of the worst years. My Sable was exactly the same. I'm sure that when you drained that trans fluid you found a lot of metal in it. It comes from failing clutches and other stuff that is destroying itself. Transmission shops are very familiar with the bad parts. You can keep on changing fluid and wondering about it but eventually you need to fix it. An Ammco shop rebuilt mine with all the newest parts as redesigned by Ford in the later '90's and my Sable is good to go. It is a big deal to R&R the transmission so don't bother with a junkyard replacement. Have yours made new or buy a crate trans. Mine cost a little under $2,000. Lot of money but far less than I've heard from some others. After Ford redesigned the clutches it is a very good transmission so don't give up on the car.

But don't waste time wondering what's wrong. One time it will just sit there when you rev it up!

LunaticSVT · 05-27-2005, 15:35

sounds like it is replacement or rebuild time.

XPAR · 08-18-2005, 15:10

Try taking out one qt. of fluid and replacing it with one qt. of WD-40. I know it sounds silly but what have you got to loose. I did it to my Dodge van 727 Torqueflite and it worked wonders. Trans does not slip and shifts correctly now. I would only do it on a trans that was going to be replaced or repaired anyway, that way if does not work out your not out anything. I did the WD-40 to my trans several months ago and it is still working fine. Infact I put half a qt in the motor and my valve lifters quieted right up too.