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Windstar 2002 trans problem

Ford Windstar 2002 SE, has transmission cooler.

If more than 5 people in the car, on the highway on the small hills going up, it turns off control-cruse and displays for few second "check transmission" message.

I get the same message driving by my self in the city, only when waiting on the red light with brake pedal pressed on. As soon I move my car the message is gone.

It doesn't happen every day and cold or hot doesn't matter.

Transmission shop already replaced Neutral Switch (they thought it is a reason) but it did not help at all.

Twice mechanic was driven with scanner attached but nothing happened; no message and no code. Computer doesn't show any code.

I checked that as soon as the message is gone (usually after few seconds) computer doesn't keep any code in memory (except 'check engine' on).

If I have to wait on the red light longer or driving up the hill is longer the message goes on and off several times.

It doesn't happen every day but it bothers me and I am afraid that my transmission can be damaged. Changing filter and fluid did not help.

The oxygen sensor light is usually on short after the codes are flashed by scanner.

Mechanics say that it is because something is wrong with electric or electronic in my car, or could be that a computer gets wrong signal from the oxygen sensor.

They suggest do not worry and drive this car safely.

Had any one similar situation?

Does any one know what it is and how to fix it?

How to flash without a scanner a 'check engine' message from the computer memory (caused probably by oxygen sensor). I like to see if oxygen sensor has influence on the transmission messages.

The message really bothers me because it is not only a message but also a laud bip tone.

I was in few garages and no one can help. Ford Dealer screw me before, I will not go there.

Thanks for the advice.

Reply to
Pete
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Sounds like it might be overheating. You may want to install an auxilary transmission cooler on it (can't hurt regardless).

Reply to
JimV

Given the Windstar/Villagers are rebadged Nissan Quests, Nissan had a recall in 2001 for an upgrade to the AT computer.

There have been numerous problems with the transmissions in these vehicles. Lots of reports of trannys grenading over and over again. Past company I worked for had two, constant tranny problems. Suggest have tranny pan dropped and check for metal shavings in pan. Whitelightning.

Reply to
Whitelightning

Windstars are unrelated to the Nissan Quest. They were deveoped from the Taurus drivetrains. The Villager was related to the older Quest. The Villager and the Windstar were completely different vehicles.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Less beer, more whiskey I think, your absolutely right. However, the fact they both have tons of tranny problems is correct too. Plenty of links on Google about folks being on their third tranny before

70,000 miles with the Windstars. something very wrong there. They need to rehire the designers of the C-6.

Whitelightning

Reply to
Whitelightning

The Villager and Windstar have completely different transmission. The Villager uses a Nissan unit. According to Consumer Reports, the Villager's transmission has not been a problem (excellent or very good reliability marks for every year the Villager was offered). As for the Windstar, CR shows transmission problems to be common until the 2002 model year. From

2002 to the present, CR shows the Windstar's transmission to have average or better reliability (very good or excellent, except for 2003, when it was average). CR claims that a 2002 Windstar has very good transmission reliability. Paint, body hardware, and power equipment were all identified as below average or poor areas for reliability for a 2002 Windstar. Overall, a 2002 Windstar was judged to have average reliability.

Interestingly, CR rated the Ford assembled Nissan Quest to have average reliability or better. After Nissan redesigned the Quest and started building it in their factories, the reliability dropped to poor. And the reliability of the Villager replacement, the Monterey (a Freestar clone) remained average.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

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