2003 Mountaineer. Suspected torque converter failure.

[expressonate]

Hey all. Looking for some opinions on what the potential failure is
2003 Mercury Mountaineer. Same as an Explorer. 4.6, AWD. 164k miles

SHORT VERSION
The vehicle was driving fine the day prior. Got in it to move it, loud wining noise upon startup (accepted this because it's -20 without the windchill). I put it in gear after a min or two, and the wirring noise got louder, and the vehicle would not move. Has no gears, none of the forward gears, and no reverse. If the vehicle is left to idle and reach opperating temp, no changes. No fluid leaks, but unable to check due to not being equipped with a dipstick. If left in gear for a min or so, the vehicle makes an attempt to lurch forwardish or reverseish, but only at idle. Applying throttle will make it not move. Kinda has a burning smell. I suspect the torque converter has failed?

Long version...
Trans was rebuilt 6k miles ago, 9 months ago. Has a 12/12 warranty. Not thrilled with the shop. 200 miles ago, the vehicle lost 4th gear and the check trans light was flashing. Had codes for pressure solenoid. Dropped it off. Shop owner befuddled when we implied it should be warranty. Bad experiances with time management. "We'll get it in today" "Should be done today" "Just about wrapped up with it" for 3 weeks. Called every other day, then at the end of the week... Picked up after 3.5 weeks. Payed for fluid and filter... Owner said he had the solenoid and 4th band replaced. Showed me the band, and solenoid. Band was broken, but had tool marks on it *may have been broken upon removal, owner insisted strongfully that it was broken when it was in the transmission* And showed me a soloenoid, which I immediatly called out as not the correct piece. Owner scoffed... Shop employee grabbed a box, with the correct solenoid in it, and said he changed it. The box had junkyard markings on it... Ok, fine. $140. Made it exactly 6 miles... Check transmission light came on. Brought it back. Owner scratched his head, said it could be a tail light out. I argued that, saying I'm not an idiot you're kidding me if u think I believe that. Ect ect ect. Eventually left the keys and truck there. Left on fair terms with the owner after I diffused him. He said he'd call an electrical specialist. 4 weeks later. Picked it up. No conversation. Solenoid was replaced. I suspect it was a new unit.

200 miles later, this... Not thrilled. Worried about him running the clock out of the warranty. Called the warranty underwriter, they say give him another shot with it...

Torqued off about this suspected torque converter failure... Havnt contacted the shop yet. Not exactly thrilled about it...
Any advise is useful.

Thank you!
~Nate

 

[Number4]

I'd take it else where. Then deal with the original guy as needed. Might be a small claims court case, but sounds like a shop to avoid.

 

[expressonate]

Warranty is through them, so until they say no, has to go back.

 

[expressonate]

Any ideas from anyone?

 

[Number4]

Did they reuse your old torque converter? Also, there is a transmission sub section, may have better luck there.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=109

 

[expressonate]

What color is the factory installed one?

 

[fordhead!]

Are you asking about what you can do to fix it yourself? Are you intending to go back and make him fix it because its warranty?

Checking the fluid level is easy. Low fluid will make the transmission not be able to shift. The torque converter depends on the fluid to work too.

The only other thing you can TRY without taking the tranny down is band adjustment. This transmission has a lot of misleading codes, so you cannot trust the check engine light.

How much of a handyman are you? Do you just want a new transmission?

 

[expressonate]

I am gathering independent opinions from multiple sources to increase my knowledge on the potential failures. It's at the transmission shop as of last week thursday. It's now monday, and the vehicle hasnt been moved. I'm sure it wont go in this week. Calling the owner just pisses me off because I get the run around.

How do you check the fluid on that transmission? I do NOT have the tool that goes on the adaptor in the pan.

What color is the factory one? I am nervous because the incredibly vague recite doesnt specify if the converter was replaced or not. Nor does it list the causes of failure or anything... And shop owner showed me pieces of a transmission that I KNOW are not mine.

If he refuses to say if the converter is been replaced or not, making it a covered componant or not, I would like to be able to idenfify it as being the factory one, or not. It's had the same owner since 2004, and had zero "oasis" hits on transmission repairs under warranty, however it was owned by enterprise for a year..

Thank you
~Nate

 

[fordhead!]

OK I understand. You should try checking the fluid level. My transmission did not move at first and it was because I hadn't put enough fluid in it.

Turn the car on. Since it can't drive let it run for a couple of minutes to let the transmission get warm to the touch. Yoi can turn it off then i guess. There's a nut right in the middle of the transmission pan. Inside that nut there's a little cap that you can unscrew with an Allen wrench. Do not unscrew the nut but the metal piece inside of it. Hold the nut if necessary. If fluid comes out the fluid level is fine.

If that's not the problem, I would say the problem is the torque converter. I'm guessing he didn't replace it, but he should have. In order to take the torque converter out the transmission needs to come out as well. Then I would see no reason to not replace it, knowing the crappy job they did with it.

More information. The torque converter shares fluid with the transmission. When it goes bad, whatever chunks of metal or very fine metal that comes out of it go to the tramission, making an ugly mess. Then it would be stupid to try to replace the TC and leave the same transmission in.

What do you think?

 

[expressonate]

Well, the shop owner said it was "in the shop defrosting and drip drying off" We'll see where this goes