2004 Taurus SES 3.0....did not slow normally after disconnecting the cruise control....had to ride the brakes. Idle was higher than normal. Just before reaching a safe parking spot, idle returned to normal. Drove cautiously home on back streets. High idle returned. As it was a Sunday....went home and on Ford Taurus Forum to discuss the issue. Several people were 'certain' it was either the TPS, or, the IAC from their past issues Sunday, so, went to PepBoys. Had them replace the TPS as the highest probability. On return home, high idle again intermittent. The next day,....found pool of tranny fluid on garage floor. Checked level.....but saw the tranny dipstick about 3 - 4 inches out of secured position. Called PepBoys to discuss. Took car back to them to investigate ....fluids normal. On way home, high idle returned, stopped car, disconnected the cc. Changed the IAC at home myself, same intermiitent high idle. Stopped again in a parking lot, disconnected the cc again. Normal idle after that. Soon after developed tranny drip but with dipstick always properly secured. Small drops of about a quarter in size. Took to a Ford dealer...relayed previous problem also. I had also found on several websites, including this one, the possibility of the vent being plugged. Was not happy with diagnosis of 1st Ford dealer....not the first time they were not correct. They recoed engine oil seal replacement. Took car to a 2nd more distant Ford dealer where the 1st dealer diagnosis proved to be wrong....they said tranny seal. Had to return another day awaiting new parts. Restocking fee, etc, etc. Discussed initially problem and told them I felt the issue was related to very first problem. Discussed the vent, they told me they checked it and it was ok. Anyway, ...tranny seal replaced, returned home, still had not solved cc issue, so, left it disconnected. I was waiting to solve tranny issue before proceding to repair/solve the cc issue. About 2 weeks after tranny seal replacement...started getting the same quarter size drip on garage floor. Ctc'd 2nd Ford dealer again....said I should have the vent replaced as per the TSB. This is the status today. Am in processing of scheduling the vent ....though, if they said it was free (clear) then why?? Also, they indicate that there shouldn't be enough pressure in the tranny to cause the leak. I personally suspect that all 3 issues, the cc, the dripstick popped out, and the seal leaks are all related....somehow. Proceeding cautiously...Car engine runs great, tranny shifts smoothly, but, all is not normal.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
June 5, 2011 (Sunday)
2004 Taurus SES 3.0....did not slow normally after disconnecting the cruise control....had to ride the brakes. Idle was higher than normal. Just before reaching a safe parking spot, idle returned to normal. Drove cautiously home on back streets. High idle returned. As it was a Sunday....went home and on Ford Taurus Forum to discuss the issue. Several people were 'certain' it was either the TPS, or, the IAC from their past issues Sunday, so, went to PepBoys. Had them replace the TPS as the highest probability. On return home, high idle again intermittent. The next day,....found pool of tranny fluid on garage floor. Checked level.....but saw the tranny dipstick about 3 - 4 inches out of secured position. Called PepBoys to discuss. Took car back to them to investigate ....fluids normal. On way home, high idle returned, stopped car, disconnected the cc. Changed the IAC at home myself, same intermiitent high idle. Stopped again in a parking lot, disconnected the cc again. Normal idle after that. Soon after developed tranny drip but with dipstick always properly secured. Small drops of about a quarter in size. Took to a Ford dealer...relayed previous problem also. I had also found on several websites, including this one, the possibility of the vent being plugged. Was not happy with diagnosis of 1st Ford dealer....not the first time they were not correct. They recoed engine oil seal replacement. Took car to a 2nd more distant Ford dealer where the 1st dealer diagnosis proved to be wrong....they said tranny seal. Had to return another day awaiting new parts. Restocking fee, etc, etc. Discussed initially problem and told them I felt the issue was related to very first problem. Discussed the vent, they told me they checked it and it was ok. Anyway, ...tranny seal replaced, returned home, still had not solved cc issue, so, left it disconnected. I was waiting to solve tranny issue before proceding to repair/solve the cc issue. About 2 weeks after tranny seal replacement...started getting the same quarter size drip on garage floor. Ctc'd 2nd Ford dealer again....said I should have the vent replaced as per the TSB. This is the status today. Am in processing of scheduling the vent ....though, if they said it was free (clear) then why?? Also, they indicate that there shouldn't be enough pressure in the tranny to cause the leak. I personally suspect that all 3 issues, the cc, the dripstick popped out, and the seal leaks are all related....somehow. Proceeding cautiously...Car engine runs great, tranny shifts smoothly, but, all is not normal.
- iceobar, Jacksonville, FL, US