Ford Autobox Problems

[Peter Bell]

A friend at work has a 95 Scorpio 2l automatic, which has just developed a problem with gear changing. Initially it was clunky getting into first, someone noticed the throttle pot plug was loose so pushed the connection back on and all was fine. then shortly afterwards it refused to change up into top, if he stopped the car turned off the ignition then restarted, it would be ok. now it seems to be reluctant to do that, and struggles to get into reverse. He has had the codes read and it shows P 0733 ( 3rd gear error?) P 0734 ( 4th gear error?) and P 1701 (reverse error). I had put a new airflow sensor on it a month or so ago as that had failed. Just trying to keep it going really without spending lots!

Peter

[Peter Bell]

I am wondering if it could be something to do with the kick down system not being adjusted correctly? Not having had an automatic car myself they are a bit of a mystery.

[Guest allenr03]

I had a Rover 800 a few years ago with an auto box and it started doing some bizzare things. The problem was solved with a transmission fluid change. The box wouldn't change gear until the engine red lined!!

[Snapperpaul]

Does the gearbox have its own ECU? if so try swapping it out with another one.

I had big problems with a dead autobox on the V6 Galaxy and even after it was rebuilt had problems, turned out to be the ECU as well as a dead box.

[Peter Bell]

Seems to have settled down a bit at the moment and the owner is currently on holiday, I think a change of oil may be a good starting point, could have been in there for a while.

Peter

[Snapperpaul]

The oil level was critical in my box and had to be drained hot then filled precisely cold, apparently too much is as bad as to little.

[Jez Morton]

No body laugh I had an automatic Cortina a few years ago, the box went wrong it was slow changing up and refused to go up to 3rd (top). I changed the oil cleaned filter which had no effect, then an auto box specialist I spoke to thought it might be a vacumn pipe had come off, it had and when reattached and box was fine.

Jez