Ford Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Know and Understand the Concern

The following items must be checked before beginning the diagnostic procedures:

• Know and understand the customer concen, REFER to Determine the Customer Concern in this procedure.
• Check for any technical service bulletin (TSB) or online automotive service information system (OASIS) messages regarding the concern.
• Check for non-factory installed components.
• Check for additional aftermarket systems; for example air conditioning, cellular phone, speed control system, which are not approved, or which have not been professionally installed.
• Check for electronic engine control (EEC) and engine tuning, which may have an effect on the engine and transmission management.
• Check the transmission fluid condition. REFER to Check the Transmission Fluid Condition in this procedure.
• Check the selector lever cable adjustment.
  REFER to: Selector Lever Cable Adjustment (307-05A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle External Controls - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), General Procedures).
  
• Verify the concern by operating the vehicle.
• Carry out the WDS quick test, for both key on engine off (KOEO) and key on engine running (KOER), and record any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). If no DTCs are present,
  REFER to: Diagnosis By Symptom (307-01A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), Diagnosis and Testing).
  

Verification of Condition

This section provides information that must be used in both determining the actual cause of the customer concern(s) and executing the appropriate procedures.

Determine the Customer Concern

NOTE:Some transmission conditions can cause engine concerns. For example the torque converter clutch not disengaging will stall the engine.

The concern must be fully understood before commencing any fault diagnosis. Detailed information from the customer may be needed for this.

Ask the customer under which condition(s) the concern occurs. For example:

• Cold or warm engine?
• Hot or cold ambient temperatures?
• On what road surface(s)?
• Was the vehicle laden or unladen?
• In what driving situation:
  -

  while accelerating?
  -

  on overrun?
  -

  when gear changing up or down?
• What is the quality of the gear change?
• Noise and vibration:
  -

  At what engine speed, vehicle speed or load?
  -

  In which gear or gear range?
• Does the gear engaged correspond to the display?
• When the incorrect operation occurred, did a warning lamp illuminate in the instrument cluster?

Road Test the Vehicle.

Check the Transmission Fluid Level

Under normal operating conditions, there is no requirement to check the transmission fluid level. However, if the transmission is not functioning correctly, the transmission may slip, shift slowly or there may be some sign of fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.

CAUTION:The vehicle should not be driven if the fluid level is below the bottom line on the fluid level indicator and the ambient temperature is above 10°C.

NOTE:Transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid level check, drive the vehicle until normal operating temperature has been reached, approximately 30 km (20 miles).

NOTE:If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot weather, or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be parked with the engine switched off for approximately 30 minutes to allow the transmission fluid to cool before carrying out the transmission fluid level check.

NOTE:Incorrect transmission fluid level may affect the transmission operation and could result in transmission damage.

High Transmission Fluid Level

A high transmission fluid level may cause the transmission fluid to become aerated due to the churning action of the rotating internal parts. This will cause erratic control pressure, foaming, loss of transmission fluid from the vent tube and possible transmission damage. If an overfill reading is indicated, adjust the transmission fluid to the correct fluid level.
REFER to: Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill (307-01A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), General Procedures).
For fluid type, refer to
REFER to: Specifications (307-01A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), Specifications).

Low Transmission Fluid Level

A low transmission fluid level could result in poor transmission engagement, slipping or possible transmission damage. If a low fill reading is indicated, adjust the transmission fluid to the correct fluid level.
REFER to: Transmission Fluid Drain and Refill (307-01A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), General Procedures).
For fluid type, refer to
REFER to: Specifications (307-01A Automatic Transmission/Transaxle - Vehicles With: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission (4F27E), Specifications).

Check the Transmission Fluid Condition