What would cause a 1994 Ford Tempo GL 2.3L transmission to randomly fail to engage into gear? Fluid level is fine and not burnt, transmission has performed flawlessly up until this point, no slipping or noises of any kind. Tranny did not fail when in use or make any noise, it simply failed to engage into any gear upon the last start. Engine runs fine. Park still works, as does neutral. Shift lever moves freely between all gears, as is normal. Speedometer does not move when engine is revved, excluding driveshaft issues. All linkage is fine, as is the throttle assembly. All other things taken into consideration, I'm wondering if the issue isn't something small. Any advice would be appreciated, I'm at a complete loss!
Inside of this ford trans is what is called a planetary gear, I believe this is what failed and is causing your problem. Unfortunetly you have to rebuild complete trans when this happens. Very expensive rebuild $1800 to $2500 depending on how many parts are damaged. Other option is to put a used trans in it, runs around $800. This same problem happen to my same car at around 80,000 miles. I choose used trans and that lasted for two years before I started having problems. Then I got rid off car, was not going to sink anymore money into it.
94 tempo 2.3Automatic transmission: The Teflon seals on the transmission pump support are prone to wear, causing the transmission to drop out of drive. (1993-94)
This is what I found, and after I read your dillemna I was leaning toward a front pump issue in the transmission, you seethe transmission pump is the motivating force to all hydraulic transmissions, if there is no pump there is no fluid to flow through the valves/clutches/orifices/etc to create the fluid pressure to make the vehicle move.
I am thinnking in terms of the transmission having to be pulled out and at the very least have the front pumpp sector inspected and or repaired, depending upon how much debris is found inside the fluid drain pan magnet that is installed inside the unit for tell tale signs of wear and for safety sake keeping the debris from entering the valve body.
Hpoe this helps....Happy Motoring!!!
A bad pump would indeed fit all of the criteria I've experienced. I'll loosen a transmission fluid line tonight and see whether or not I have any pressure - If not, this may indeed be the problem! I'm attempting to avoid actually removing the transmission at all costs if possible. I'm hoping I can replace the pump (if that's the problem) by dropping the transmission fluid pan.
I'll know more by tonight, as I plan on both reading the engine trouble codes and checking for pressure in the transmission fluid system. In the meantime, thank you for your help!
I was thinking more about your problem, Ford did have a problem with the front motor mount on that car, that could also give you a "random" problem, especially if you are accelerating from a stop, etc. that is when the torque is developed on the engine and mount, if the mount is defective the engine could raise up enough to pull the shift linkage out of drive at the transmission plate.
I totally over looked the fact that you didn't scan for codes, that is the first thing we do to see if its an electrical component, so sorry, you see we all are not perfect. The little things as they say mean a lot and a scan really is a little thing in relation to the alternatives.
There is a 1-2 shift solenoid that may show up in your code diagnostics as problematic, but we are only speculating without the actual readings from the scanner
Most trans. problems in the older systems were tcc(Torque Converter Lockup) codes....meaning trans. wouldn't shift into over drive @45-55 mph and car used a ton of fuel.
Also the computer components were causing no upshift conditions quite often, but that was no 2-3 shift just would stay in first or second speed.
If the pump were bad the shift linkage would not be affected at all just the trans. going into gear, however do get that scanned as the computer module components may play a big part in the shifting problem you are experiencing.
My past experiences with a no shift right from speed zero and up usually are indications of a hard part defect, such as a clutch band/clutches, a plugged transmission filter,front pump/converter defect, hung spool valve in the valve body, sometimes due to fragment of clutch or whatever lodging itself between the spool valve and the valve bore hanging the valve and causing shift problems in all ranges.
The pump can only be replaced by removing the transmission and torque converter it is a rather big job if you are not experienced, let us hope that the pump isnot your headache!!!
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Looks like you've check everything except the shifter safety lock mechanism. This mechanism stops you from shifting if you are not stepping on the brake pedal. This mechanism could have gotten loose or have shorted.
Well, that's the last thing that I could think of, you've already checked pretty much everything. I hope this helps. Thanks and good day.
-HotRatchet
Didn't think of that...though if the mechanism were faulty/loose, wouldn't it be preventing the gearshift from moving freely amongst all gears? Currently I can shift back and forth amongst all gears freely, like normal.
I'm wondering if there's some sort of electrical failure that would be causing this....I don't have much experience with transmissions, but as I said, tranny was fine until this point and it did not fail to engage gears while in operation...simply upon last start. Are there any electrical systems which govern the operation of the transmission?
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Didn't think of that...though if the mechanism were faulty/loose, wouldn't it be preventing the gearshift from moving freely amongst all gears? Currently I can shift back and forth amongst all gears freely, like normal.
I'm wondering if there's some sort of electrical failure that would be causing this....I don't have much experience with transmissions, but as I said, tranny was fine until this point and it did not fail to engage gears while in operation...simply upon last start. Are there any electrical systems which govern the operation of the transmission?
I hesitate to believe any "hard part" component of the transmission failed, due to the complete lack of noise, grinding, or prior symptoms. The car simply didn't engage any gears at time of start, though there were no unusual noises of any type. I'm inclined to believe the problem lies within the solenoid or some other electrical component, as this transmission is computer-controlled. I hope to get a reading on the trouble codes this evening.
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