Trans or axle?

fastzx360 · Dec 25, 2009

What a Christmas present.... While I was on the way home from dropping off my son the car started to jerk. I let off the gas then back on it and it wouldn't go anywhere. I pulled off to the side of the road. I put it in park and it idles fine. I put it back in drive and tried to give it gas it wouldn't go anywhere for a couple secs then it jerks and moves foward. Luckily I was half a mile from the house. Was able to limp home. I got it home and got it on jack stands. I put it in drive while in the air. The wheels move freely then bam it's like the brakes were locking up on it then move again then lock up...... Slight grinding noise as well.

04 2.3 90K miles

iroc34 · Dec 26, 2009

Sounds like low atf fluid. Also with that many miles, has the fluid and filter been changed?. I would start there.

Broncoboy80 · Dec 26, 2009

Well as simple as ATF fluid sounds it could actually be just that! Not saying thats what it is but to be safe check your fluid.

Then if all fluids are fine then we go from there.

PSUrivie · Dec 26, 2009

yeah, I agree ATX's can act up when the fluid is low (won't shift into gear and slip out also). Start out simple..

05yellowd20 · Dec 27, 2009

Also....if you decide to change your fluid (which i would reccomend) Check your trans cooler for blockage. Make sure it flows freely. You can use compressed air for this. I'm not sure about the focus (as i have an MTX) but most cars unlees equipped with an aftermarket cooler use a separate chamber in the radiator for this.

fastzx360 · Dec 31, 2009

The trans would slip on occasion shifting into 3rd

the bat · Jan 2, 2010

This happen to me

I had just started going from a stop light,EZ ,not hard on gas,I normely drive lEZ. Only thing it was doing before,was poor shifts 2 to 3 for about a month.[86000miles]
2001/autotranny, totaly failed,blow to hell both the plantarys very loud banging and snaping,then only 1st gear to get home bearly.
I replaced my self with a 2003/400mile tranny[cost of $300],the shops wished to get $1600 to rebuild,but it would of been more when they found out it was destroyed inside.
I did pull the old tranny apart,just to see inside,junky,way to small parts inside IMHO.
old/new tranny OK so far.

chcksaunders · Jan 3, 2010

i know on my car the pass axle pulled out just a hair and my car wouuldn,t move i replaced a half circle piece that held the axle and all is well. hope that helps

whynotthinkwhynot · Jan 3, 2010

If you do decide to swap out with a junkyard transmission, then I'd get one made after 05 to be sure it would bolt up correctly. I think it's fair to say from your explanation that it is the transmission not the axles. An axle would make it feel like the trans shifted into N, not like the brakes were on.

Trans or axle?

fastzx360

iroc34

Broncoboy80

PSUrivie

05yellowd20

fastzx360

the bat

chcksaunders

whynotthinkwhynot

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