EL Auto going haywire!! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

AU_Fairmont -S- · 08-17-2004, 10:27

Hi all ...

My husband's got an EL Fairmont Ghia (v8 - Auto) and for the last few months it's been going nuts!! About every 2 weeks the auto goes crazy and can't decide which gear to be in. You can feel when it's about to do it because while driving, at about the 80km mark you can feel the auto drop back and that's it, you know it's all about to happen!

Computer keeps coming up as "code 11" (no errors) Had a full flush, wiring's been checked, all terminals cleaned but still does it so every 2 weeks my husband disconnects the battery for a couple of hours and then it's fine until 2 weeks later and it happens all over again.

Could it have something to do with the overdrive?

Any advice/help would be appreciated.

Krissy

fairmont1998 · 08-18-2004, 02:44

Does it do it after rain?
I had the auto looked at in my car (under warranty, thankfully) because it did the same thing one morning. Didn't know what gear it wanted and flaring. It turned out to be the transmission switch, where the trans computer connects to the trans, was at fault, it had let water in and caused the problem. Ford fitted a new switch and not a problem since. That was almost 2 years ago now.

AU_Fairmont -S- · 08-19-2004, 09:21

No it does it in the dry & wet. It does it all the time! It started happening about 6 weeks after the Warranty on the car ran out (typical grrrrrrr) We're just gonna take it to Ford. Don't have a choice really because our Mechanic (who has taken care of all our car's for years) has ruled out everything he can and it still does it. Oh well...

automatics of marion · 08-24-2004, 04:31

Does the speedo drop out, if it does it could be the speedo transducer, poss tps ,u can switch the wires around on that and if the engine starts to play up it could be tps, i have had it when the s7 solenoid in pump shorts out on clutch drum, due to a wave plate that breaks in clutch drum and screws end float up, does not give fault code when this happens. hope that helps u out.

Cobra · 08-24-2004, 04:43

If it was the speedo transducer it would be stuck in limp home mode. E-series V8's had the seperate trans module so it could be there. But then again your mechanic has checked all the things I would have and didn't find a fault. So without physcally being able to diagnose the car, it's a bit difficult to say. Let us know how you went at Ford as I'm interested to know what was wrong Krissy.

AU_Fairmont -S- · 08-24-2004, 06:55

No the speedo doesn't drop out. It happens at a certain "km" It always happens at around the 80km mark and you can feel when it's about to happen. I was just thinking - could it be an Overdrive problem?

Still haven't taken it to Ford but when we do and they find the problem, I will definately let you all know what it was.

banarcus · 08-24-2004, 23:18

I had the same problem with mine (ED V8) not that long ago. I would drive at 110km/h it it would drop back into 2nd gear, the tacho would go berserk and it was dangerous in the wet when this happened. I took it to Ford and in 2 minutes they said it needed a new inhibitor switch. After they fitted this there were no problems after this.

PS. To confirm that this is the case try this: Take off in 1st gear and do it gently. It should change into 2nd without you even selecting 2nd gear.

automatics of marion · 08-25-2004, 04:02

it wont be overdrive problem, if it was it would usually do it all the time. it sounds more like an electrical fault, have u check all the earth points, i have also seen the rear mount to wear and allows the rear of trans to bounce around and disturb the lever that comes from t-bar which will give u same symptoms as someone moving the t-bar (doesnt have to move much to cause a problem) good luck

frdpwr · 08-25-2004, 21:21

ive also got an ef and atleast once a month it does this, havnt been able to sort it out it cos it doesnt bring up a code. Wat you also mite wanna look at for is when it does this does the econmy lite flash on and off cos mine also does that

Paolo Brisbane · 08-26-2004, 03:05

Probably of little use to you to you but 2 weeks ago my DF LTD (also a V8) did this on the freeway @ 120 km/h..... what fun. First time the tacho needle has seen red. Happening since at all speeds. The LTD (maybe others) has a readout of the gear position on the instrument panel and when the light disappears, is a warning to hang on. Appears to find neutral too. Just waiting for it to select park like the old Magnas....

Will have it in at Ford next week so if no result beforehand, will advise the outcome. The problem certainly sounds identical (almost). Will try the first gear test beforehand tho. Thanks for that tip.

Cheers

Paolo