ATX Slipping. . . again.

focuson03 · Mar 26, 2006

Alright guys/gals, i'm looking for some advice. i noticed the other day that I"m starting to get some slipping in the tranny again. it only does it from the first to second shift, it kind of like holds at around 4k rpms, then shifts. Here's the dilema tho. I've got one of Wayne's tunes on it and haven't flashed it back to stock to see if it gets any worse yet because when i do I'll get all kinds of CEL's since I've had him turn off a few things. Right now the car has 45,000 some odd miles on it. I'm still under my factory powertrain warranty, but this is already transmission number 2 for me. What are your opinions as far as what I should do? I'm pretty broke as it is right now, so there's really no saying I should just build it up, because it's not going to happen (for now)

thanks in advance [thumb]

hondaluver · Mar 26, 2006

if its a persistent problem get it checked def....if you have the tune cant you improve shift firmness? When you say it holds, do you mean hangs then shifts, or actually disengages then shifts? The only way I can see it "slipping" is if you are accelerating but not going any faster. If you have relatively low miles on it i dont know y it would be slipping

focituner · Mar 26, 2006

I have had similar issues with my Focus ATX. I am about to have it checked out for the Second time. The first time I had a total tranni rebuild compliments of Ford. I would have a tec from your dealership drive with you in the car. Thats what I do, then with the tec there drive the way you drive and when it happens He can say if it is worth the the 50 Dollar deductible for a check or not. But, they call it Flaring from the way he described it to the service writer. Mine "Flares" in Third. I believe it might have to do with the solenoids in the Valve Body.

focuson03 · Mar 26, 2006

when it happens i'm typically accelerating, then it goes to shift but the rpms stay about the same (without changing the gas pedal position) then it suddenly shifts. if i increase the pressure on the shift in the tune it just makes the car feel like it's "falling" or dropping into gear.

focuson03 · Mar 26, 2006

Sunday Bump^^

anyone else got any suggestions??

Klondike · Mar 26, 2006

hmmmm thats wierd, i had that same thing happen when i tried to install my bdr tb, and it was that the tps was shot, havent gotten it in yet tho so im not to sure....but i got a new TPS for it and hopefully it works, but thats sounds like what happened to me, got really high rpm like 3500k and sat then it kicked and shifted

chad_p71 · Mar 27, 2006

My tranny behaves in a similiar way, but it doest seem abnormal to any other ford car I have driven, but maybe yours is more pronouced.
Not trying to make you feel stupid or anything but are you sure you are using Mercon V fluid? If you use Mercon IV you will run into lots little problems, i had the same problem with another ford tranny changed to the right fluid and it worked great.
Also keep in mind really dirty and crappy fluid will mess up your transmission and cause problems like that.

I dont know if you race alot with your car or not but if you do, the atx doesnt like it much. If you do race I would suggest getting a performance modified valve body, it will help with transaxle shifting. longevity and performance. They really arent too horrible to install your self if you have ever installed a shift kit in a car before.

Performance Valve Body
http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1008

Good article on performance focus transmissions and problems
http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/0311mm_focus/

Keep in mind with a few upgrades that ATX will spank any manual in a bracket racing scenario. Long live the the Automatic!!![boxface] Mu mu ha ha ha ha

focituner · Mar 27, 2006

I am about to put my Car for inspection by the Trannsmission guy. Mon. If they do decide to do it. i will ask them if they can put in a FR Valve body which I will pay for myself.

focuson03 · Mar 27, 2006

i'm actually considering the FR valve body now too. looks like it'll be a decent way to solve the problem and then give me room to grow on the car. too bad i don't have the money for it now.

SkaAddict · Mar 27, 2006

Ah, what a surprise; more low mileage problems with the gutless slushbox called the 4F27E. I would think that the powertrain warranty still applies, even though they replaced your transmission. At worse, the new transmission should be covered under the typical 12,000/1 year warranty that all service comes with, but I would think it would be covered under any active warranty the car came with. I'd take it to the dealer and see what they say...although it would probably be an idea to have your ECU flashed back to stock because I'm sure they'd bitch about the tune and blame it for any problems you're having.

focuson03 · Mar 27, 2006

^^ yeah, i had figured that they wouldn't like what they saw when they did a line pressure test on it. looks like i'll flash her back to stock today and see if it gets worse.

ATX Slipping. . . again.

focuson03

hondaluver

focituner

focuson03

focuson03

Klondike

chad_p71

focituner

focuson03

SkaAddict

focuson03

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