Transmission Malfunction! Please HELP!!

[deakandras]

Hi!

I need a big help!
My bird(94 V8) is sick and nobody knows what could be THE problem!So, the thing is Your driving, the stick is in the D (drive)position.Driving normally trying to hold an exact speed.(like on the highway Your going with 55 mph) Suddenly around 1500-2500 RPM (but it doesn't matter,because it does it at any RPM and at any speed, but mostly at this RPM)the transmission pops out the gear,RPM goes up(because You still pushing the gas! if You release it it drops back, it's like the transmission is in neutral and You playing with the gas).Tranny is not in any gear(car is still in motion, stick is still in D (drive)!), feels like You driving a stick-shift and You just pushed the clutch
while You moving and pushing the gas too. Then the car put itself back to gear,(without gear about 2-3 sec)and now You can move it by pushing the gas.Sometimes it does it only once by the time, sometimes two-three times popping out-in-out-in the gear. There is no serious sounds or moves when it does it, no kicking, no jumping, no shaking, just no gear while You trying to move the car. Another interesting fact: it's
happening only 25-30 minutes after You started the car, but after that a lot of times.Before those 30 minutes nothing!! Like a new car, beautiful shifting.


We changed the tranny oil(Mercon ATF), filter, gasket, dried the whole system! Pumped out all the used oil, even from the torque converter.The used oil was clean, not dirty,like new!


Guys, any idea????!
Please help I wanna ride at summertime! ;))

Thanks, Andras

[Ball_Z_Bird]

I hate to break the news to you but better you know now before spending more $ and time then you need to. The 94's are freaks as OBD2 was supposed to be introduced in 95' in fords the 94' got it early. In essence this means no quirks worked out and no real test bed. These trannies are notorious for raising hell. After 2 rebuilds and digging up as many TSB's as possible I found the main source of the problems, the PCM. The bottom line start saving and look into creditable transmission shops. What needs to be done in these freaks: The valve body needs to be replaced with the 95' and then flashed to those specs; however, this requiring the trans to be opened up I would highly recommend springing for the extra now and saving your self in the long run. Get a rebuild: TransGo shift kit, kevlar bands, and a high stall torque converter and don't forget the 95' valve body. this can be done @ the trans shop but the flashing can only be done at ford.
rebuild approx should be in the ball park of $1200 and the flashing $65 :( .
ANY MORE QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK! I CAN AND WILL GET YOU AS MUCH INFO AS YOU NEED...I'VE BEEN THERE. The good news is you've got one hell of an engine I'll be hitting 180K in a couple of days...and still running strong!! :)

[MAIC]

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS !!!!!!!!! http://www.mn12performance.com/mn12-...w_rebuild.html

[Rolling-Thunder]

I have to chime in on this one;

The MLPS, which is also known as the Neutral Safety Switch, and the Transmission Range sensor, is usually the culprit in the case of the Tranny "suddenly popping out of gear".

The 94's had a poor gasket design, which has since been improved.

You can replace this part yourself, in 20 minutes, at a cost of under $65.

If anyone tells you that you need a rebuild, based soley on this problem, I would run from them as fast as I can.

My 95 LX 4.6 4r70w has 190,000 miles on it, and it is all original. Read the Tech Articles on the transmission over at www.tccoa.com, and you will see how awesome these trannies can be.

[t-bird]

I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WITH MY `94 TRANNY JUST RECENTLY. IN MY CASE IT WAS THE OVERDRIVE BECAUSE I NOT ONLY MISSED GEARS, BUT WHEN THE O/D WENT IT WOULD ONLY SHIFT AT LOWER RPM,S INSTEAD OF HIGHER. IT MAY BE THAT, BUT I DOUBT IT. I JUST WENT OUT AND GOT A DIFFERENT TRANNY. I HAVE ALOT OF MILES ON MY `BIRD (185K), SO I'M REBUILDING MY TRANNY WHEN I GET THE MONEY. I HOPE YOUR `BIRD GETS BETTER. MINE IS SICK TOO, SO I FEEL YOUR PAIN. GOOD LUCK.

:)

[rnga14]

Where exactly is the MLPS located? I have the same problem with my transmission and for $65 and a half hour's worth of effort, I need to do this! I have the '94 4.6L V8 LX.

In addition, 1) the plastic push button in the stick shift has broken, so I need to replace that. The rubber band holding it in keeps slipping off! 2) My odometer is broke, 3)there is a noise underneath the car that can be heard anytime I go over the slightest bump. One mechanic told me it could be the rear stabilizer bar, but I swear it sounds like it is in the front. Plus a few more minor maladies.
Thanks in advance for any responses.

rnga14

[Rolling-Thunder]

The MLPS is located on the drivers side of the transmission, about in the middle of it. It is held on with two bolts, and has a wire harness connected to it.

Make sure the Transmission is in neutral while you replace it.

[tbirdJKC]

Is Ford the only place to purchase a MLPS. I have a 95 with a 3.8 and my overdrive off switch stopped working at around 75,000 miles and recently the car has been shifting between 4th and 5th by itself on the highway. Now it got worse the car gets stuck in first now if its still warm when i start it.