The Scorpio Ford Auto Transmissions are complex items and is entirely controlled by the EEC-V Power-train Control Module (PCM) that computes engine load, road speed and internal turbine speed and selects the appropriate gear by engaging electronic solenoids to control gear shifts.
Experience has shown that it is generally very reliable, however some specific problems have been identified and their diagnosis and suggested repairs are available on this site.
INITIAL CHECKS:
Drive the car until the engine and auto transmission is at operating temperature. Park on a level surface and leave the engine running. Pull the tranny dipstick and check for:-
A. The fluid level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
B. The fluid is a good red color when you wipe the dipstick on a lint-free white cloth. Provided that the fluid is at a good level, it is a good pink/red color and has a clean oil smell and there is no black debris on the dipstick then the auto gearbox is in generally good condition and should be working correctly.
C. If the gearbox fluid is a good red but there are drive-ability concerns (rising revs and thumping into gear, slipping out of top gear, torque lockup slipping in and out, Overdrive Light flashing) then there is a drive-ability concern. If the speedometer is erratic as well then the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) has probably failed, or the wiring connection is faulty and is not necessarily a fault with the box.
Meet with the owner of a repair shop who has a diagnostics-equipped garage and have them read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes from the On Board Diagnostic system – it may be possible to repair a single solenoid or sensor without reconditioning the whole transmission.
D. If the Transmission is working satisfactorily and the fluid is still a red color but there is some black sludge gathered round the dipstick then have the gearbox sump removed and the filter changed without delay. You may have noticed the gearbox might be a little sluggish, perhaps a loud turbine noise when moving off from rest. This is the ATF pump trying to pull fluid through the gungy filter. You need a new filter, sump gasket and 6 quarts of factory automatic fluid. Action now may save much greater damage.
E. If the dipstick shows fluid a brown color with a burnt smell then there is bad news. The fluid has been overheated and/or there is band friction material contamination of the fluid.
Note: Changing the filter and fluid will be a waste of money because the unit will fail at some time in the near future. This is so even if the trans. is working correctly – in this case failure may be sudden and total (ie selecting any gear other than P or D immediately stalls the engine), or the box will drop one gear after another until it limits engine torque and you limp home at 19 mph. If you find your auto fluid in this state then join the AAA immediately because you will need a tow at some stage.
Performance Concerns
1. If your Auto gearbox demonstrates a heavy vibration when changing gear, similar to driving over a grid then read the page about this fault here.
2. If your Auto Transmission does not appear to choose the correct gear, you lose overdrive 4th gear or the torque converter fails to lockup correctly then it may just need the MAF cleaning.
3. If the auto-box is not changing gear correctly and the speedometer is erratic as well, then the VSS is suspect and there may not be a problem with the unit at all. If the TR sensor is faulty it would also cause faulty changing but the speedometer will remain unaffected. However, both will generate an error code on OBD so it would be easy to determine which is the culprit.
4. If cleaning the MAF has no effect and the speedometer works correctly then you should check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). It costs between $60 and $90 to have the codes read by a specialist.
5. If you have a coolant leak that cannot be traced and the gearbox fluid shows rapid deterioration then suspect the radiator, It may be leaking coolant into the auto fluid through the heat exchanger on the nearside. Change the radiator immediately and replace the auto fluid and filter.
6. If your Auto is behaving badly (especially after rain or washing) and DTCs are changing or coming and going, take it to a professional for diagnosis.
If all else fails and you end up having to replace the transmission, give some thought to calling GotTransmissions.com, the leading online transmission supply company in the USA. We have outperformed our competition by offering the best replacement automatic transmissions of all, with pure value built into every transmission. Call us now at 866-320-1182.
