Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle whats wrong with my tranny???

Hi guys an (gals) i have a simple ??? that i hope someone can answer. Remember when you used to put a baseball card in the spokes of your wheel in your bike?? Thats the sound my car is makeing as i'm driving an i just coast (not mashing the gas peddle) can i pleaze get some help on this an let me know what that awfull sound is? Also does my o/d lite being on have anything to do with it? Thankx for all your help.

Thats a tough one, but that sound probably isn't good. If your O/D light is constantly on or flashing get the tranny to a shop to run a diagnostic because it is probably about ready to die.

Make sure your O/D button on the shifter is working right to make sure the light is on for another reason. When my OD light flashed at me and then stayed on, but went off. I ended up getting a new tranny.

In reply to:

---

Remember when you used to put a baseball card in the spokes of your wheel in your bike??

---

That cant possibly be good. I would probably cry if my tranny made that sound.

Try putting it in neutral and see if it still makes the noise. Also shut off the engine while coasting (in N) and see if it still makes the noise. The OD-off light should be normally off, and light up when you push the button on the shifter. If it's blinking, that is generally a sign of big ATX trouble. Always make sure the fluid level is full. (Check level with engine idling, in Park)

I'm not to sure what the hell is going on with this car but when i bought the thang the lite was on then (o/d lite). Heres a dumb ??? but are you supose to lift that button up to put the car in reverse? Pleaze forgive me for all the ?? but this car has been a nitemare since i bought it last weekend. Go figure. Do we have any idea on how much a new tranny cost?

Whoa... Wait a minute. You may want to spend some time with your owners manual There should be 2 buttons on your ATX shift knob. The large thumb button sticking out of the left side of the T shifter is the reverse lock out button. You have to press on the brake pedal and push this button to move the shifter from Park to R or D. You also can't go from D to R without pressing this button. (Reverse LOCK out...)

The overdrive button is smaller and is a little lower down on the shift handle. Mine is sort of a green color. When you press this and release it, the "OD off" light should turn on. Press it again and the light should turn off. If you don't touch this button the light should not be lit up when you start the car.

A new tranny will cost you over $2000 probably. Might want to spend a little time checking fuses and fluid levels etc. before jumping into a tranny replacement.

The next thing I would definately check is the fluid level, like everyone said. The auto trannies can act very very weird it the fluid is even half a quart low. I truly hope you don't need a new tranny but if that 'O/D Off' light is flashing you may have a serious problem.

I'm not sure if the tranny I got was brand new or a reman from Ford but it is a shiney new case! Cost was $2059.42!

My fault maybe this will help 98 CSVT. Still waiting for the owners giude.

wait a minute.. I followed the whole "O/D light off" thing, etc, until you asked if you had to lift it up..
that is when I got curious... then the whole CSVT thing, with an OD light on?

WTF? Now I am REALLY not following. The lift-up thiin on the shifter is the reverse lockout, to keep you from accidently going into R while driving.

As far to OD light, I don't know of one on the SVT.. There is a rumor that there is a traction control function on the svt's, just that the button was removed to activate it.. maybe, in that sense, the lighting mechanism for OD is still printed on the guages, even though there is no OD?

Someone else?

Ray

I know this sounds crazy, but the o/d light comes on the moment the car is started. As far as the lockout button under the shifter, does not work (I THINK) cause i dont have to do anything special to get the car to go in reverse. Could this be something realated to the funny sound thats coming from the tranny? I didnt think there should be an o/d lite in a 5 speed car.

Lets get things straight first, is yours an Automatic, or a manual? If it's an Automatic, there's only one green button on the underside of the shifter, and that's the O/D lockout switch, press it and a green light on the dash comes on (says "O/D Off") and it dosent go into Overdrive. It you have a Manual, you should only have a Reverse Lockout Switch, which you press to go into reverse, Im not sure, but Manuals dont have O/D off buttons since you can shift for yourself, but all ConTique guages have all the lights (T/C, O/D off, etc...) Just the ones that arent equipped with those features dont have the bulbs and the wiring to make them light up.

Originally posted by Cool Blue Mystique:

---

Lets get things straight first, is yours an Automatic, or a manual? If it's an Automatic, there's only one green button on the underside of the shifter, and that's the O/D lockout switch, press it and a green light on the dash comes on (says "O/D Off") and it dosent go into Overdrive. It you have a Manual, you should only have a Reverse Lockout Switch, which you press to go into reverse, Im not sure, but Manuals dont have O/D off buttons since you can shift for yourself, but all ConTique guages have all the lights (T/C, O/D off, etc...) Just the ones that arent equipped with those features dont have the bulbs and the wiring to make them light up.

---

Uhm... I THINK that sounds just like what I posted two posts up..

Also, if that wasn't cleared up by me, then the whole "Oh.. I forgot to tell you.. its a CSVT" thing would clarify that, too, wouldn't it?

Useless post count disguised as help..

Quick somebody get me a double dose of Prozac cus I am sorely confused

This post is a nightmare and someone needs to post the Jules pic!

I want to say sorry for all the mass confusion guys, but i just went an looked at another 98 csvt an that lite didnt come on when i started it at all so it must be a ecu problem (rite).
Yes my cars a 98 csvt once again SORRY everyone.

Originally posted by midnghtflm:

---

Originally posted by Cool Blue Mystique:

---

Lets get things straight first, is yours an Automatic, or a manual? If it's an Automatic, there's only one green button on the underside of the shifter, and that's the O/D lockout switch, press it and a green light on the dash comes on (says "O/D Off") and it dosent go into Overdrive. It you have a Manual, you should only have a Reverse Lockout Switch, which you press to go into reverse, Im not sure, but Manuals dont have O/D off buttons since you can shift for yourself, but all ConTique guages have all the lights (T/C, O/D off, etc...) Just the ones that arent equipped with those features dont have the bulbs and the wiring to make them light up.

---

Uhm... I THINK that sounds just like what I posted two posts up..

Also, if that wasn't cleared up by me, then the whole "Oh.. I forgot to tell you.. its a CSVT" thing would clarify that, too, wouldn't it?

Useless post count disguised as help..

---

Wow, lay off the Haterade dude, excuse me for trying to be helpful and clear things up, lighten up, un-do your wedgie, and smile. Remember, keep your words kind and sweet - you just might have to eat them one day

My bad, dude... you are a very helpful person at times, and I shouldn't hate like that. I will not go into the whole "I must've been tired, and needed sleep" excuses (even though I went into work at 0530 and didn't get home until the NEXT midnight.. by the time I slept it was 1:00, and had to be at work again at 0530, today... SUCKS)

Anyway... my bad.. any and all help is nice to have, so clearing it up wasn't bad. My apologies.


Ray