Transmission Question

[beckythemom]

Last month we came into possession of a 98 Ford Windstar van. We were told it may have some transmission problems but otherwise was fine. We'd had it about three weeks when while driving down Rt 340 going around 55-60mph the van slips into second gear. It pretty much stayed that way for the duration of the trip home -- either in 2nd gear, or violently shaking while switching between higher and lower gears. After that, it rode fine for a couple of weeks and then on the way home from my inlaws last Sunday it started the slipping between gears thing again. I took it to Interstate Transmissions in Winchester and the computer said the transmission was shot so we paid to have it rebuilt. However, today on the way to church (in Round Hill) it slipped into a lower gear and eventually did the shaking thing if I tried to drive it above 35-40mph. I'll be calling the transmission guy back tomorrow (I've only driven around 100 miles since picking the van up from the shop on Friday night) but in the meantime, anyone else have any clues? We have a warranty on the stuff that was done last week but I can't afford to sink much more $$$ into this. So hopefully it's just something small and inexpensive? Haha.
Thanks!
Becky

[beckythemom]

Well, I've found out that it wasn't the alternator or the oxygen sensor. But it may be either a map sensor or a throttle position sensor? Fortunately these things have gone way down in price and it looks like we started with the most expensive one. Unless the sensors don't work and then we take a look at the brake system. Ew. We're now hearing that the 98 Windstar van was notorious for transmission / RPM gauge going nuts type problems. Anyone else have this kind of trouble with Windstar vans?

[cindylu]

Hey Becky - have you tried researching on the net?? If you google "recall Windstar van" or something like that you may find others who have had problems in the past with this model.
Try this site
http://www.automotive.com/used-cars/recalls/11/ford/windstar/

Give it a shot.

CL

[beckythemom]

Thanks. That's how we finally found out about the possibility of a sensor needing replacement. We've found the van runs fine as long as the temperature isn't over 90 degrees or so. I was just hoping if someone else had problems like this in the past with this make/model vehicle that they'd save me some guessing at the problem. :)