Tech Issues

[rodeknyt]

Re: Tech Issues

Since this thread is being revisited, thought I would provide an update.

The problem with the tranny is still with us. However, I did experience a change for the better temporarily last summer when it was quite a bit hotter than usual in SoCal. During the hot weather, the transmission would go into D4 like it's supposed to when the lever was moved to that position. Once the weather cooled down, back to no D4. So, at least I now know that it is related in some way to temperature.

Regarding the brakes, the indy I took it to for replacement theorized that the rears wear out faster than the fronts because the parking brake uses the same components as the service brakes. Most cars have a separate friction setup for the parking brake. Almost makes sense.

[yellowtbird]

Re: Tech Issues

Regarding the D5 to D4 downshift, I had suspected that it involved an electrical switch that takes the transmission out of of D5 (overdrive). My Ford F150 has an overdrive cancel switch on the end of the gearshift that accomplishes the exact same results. Does anyone know how to remove the center console where this switch has to be located? I know that Ford will charge an arm and a leg to fix it, and it must be a simple job.

[jerrym3]

Re: Tech Issues

The rears would wear out faster than the fronts is if there was a drag caused by the parking brake, or if the rear brakes were undersized.

50/50 has no bearing. The weight shifts when you hit the brakes, therefore, the fronts should wear out quicker.

Using the same components makes no sense. Your brakes would never wear down if you left your car garaged with the parking brake on regardless of the components.

IMHO, my money's on a dragging parking brake setup from the factory.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Tech Issues

Pop out or off the curved small plastic insert that joints the vertical center dash to the console. With that out of the way the whole center console will pull up and back towards the rear. It is just held in place by plastic tabs fitting into metal tab like holders. Looking down into the console by the shifter you should see the switches. It is not uncommon for them to move ever so slightly in their mounting and then they do not actuate when shifter is moved.

Hope this helps.

[0bird2]

Re: Tech Issues

When I did the brakes on our '02 it had less than 50K miles on it and I had to replace the rear rotors as well as the pads. I put ceramic pads on both front and rear and it is over 100K now. I need to check the wear on them soon, but so far are OK.
I just did rear pads on a friends '03 and they showed virtually no wear at 38K but were sqeaking real bad. Rotors were OK, so just put in new pads, squeak is gone.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Tech Issues

On the transmission problem of D4-D5

There is a switch in the center floor of the center console that is actuated by the shifter. The service manual,wiring diagrams state "Transmission Control Switch sends a signal to the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) when the driver selects D4 position, canceling operation of 5th gear."

From the drawing there appears to be more than one switch. There is a Park Sense switch, all this does is turn on the 'P' indicator on the dash.
If you have the Select Shift Transmission than there is the + & - switches. If you do have Select Shift than those switches are not present.

And there is the problem switch, called the TCS, transmission control switch. It is a momentary contact switch and here is what it does. The momentary switch sends a signal to the PCM to control the shift solenoids to disengage/disable 5th gear operation and activates coast clutch. At the same time the PCM changes the dash indicator to display D4. When the driver moves the shifter back to D5, 5th gear operation is enabled, the coast clutch is released and the dash indicator displays D5.

Hope this helps.