I have a 1996 3.8L convertible with a 4spd auto. Whenever I get in the car, it likes to do this thing where it rolls like it’s in neutral when i press the gas in drive, then throws itself forward and starts to drive. Then while i’m driving, i will be going around 50mph, and it will continuously shift from 2nd gear at high rpm’s to 3rd gear at low rpm’s, if i press the gas at all while it does this, all i get is a loud rev from the top of 2nd gear. I’ve done everything to try and make myself think it’s not a transmission issue like change the oil, change the rear differential fluid, change the purge valve canister, maf sensor, o2 sensors, and air filter. This is my last resort for help. If there is anything anyone can suggest to help i would be so grateful.

 

Hello,

You Say Change The Oil? Do You Mean You Have Changed Transmission Fluid & Filter?? Sounds Like Plugged Trans Filter And or Low Fluid. Also I Have Had Cars With a Filter Plugged So Bad I Had To Do Again Shortly After to Get the Rest of the Debris Out.

A Flush & Filter Replacement Might Be in Order.

The Process is Explained Here!

https://www.bgprod.com/services/transmission/

KC

 

I’ll try that later this week when i have the chance and i’ll let you know thank you so much

 

I did this this morning, and it made it worse. The car will not leave 2nd gear. What do i do now?

 

@juan.mo

Did The Filter Look Plugged???

Did The Fluid Smell Burned ???

Did You Fill & Check Trans as Per Owners Manual???

See PDF.

If You Are Getting Any Trouble Codes I am Supplying DTC Chart


KC

Here is Link For Entire Owners Manual For Future Reference if You Need it!
https://themustangsource.com/forums/f897/

 

filter was dark but didn’t seem plugged, fluid was a dark brown but didn’t smell all that burnt. i followed the owners manual and the dipstick said it was at a good level. i’m just confused at this point

 

Try & Get a Scanner and Look For Codes!

Fluid Should Look Like What You Put in! If it's Dark Brown its Full of Debris From Parts Wear. Be Advised If you Did Not Drain Torque Converter You Still Have a Couple of Quarts of Dirty Fluid Floating Around. Be Patient Take a Deep Breath And Work The Problem. It May or May Not Be Something You Can Fix Yourself But Keep Trying. Read the Doc's I Supplied and it May give You Some New Idea's. If You Could Pull a Code it Would Give Direction As Well. As I Said I Had Similar Issues in an Old Fairlane and After a Couple of Fluid Changes It Worked Fine. Yours is a Bit More Complex Than The Older Car But Same Basic Issue.

I Realize A Lot of The Doc's are Asking For Tools You Won't Have But It Will Help You Understand How it All Functions By Reading Up!

Think Positive!

KC

 

The only code i’m getting is for a bank too rich. and that has nothing to do with the trans as far as i’m concerned right?

 

The Code I Would Not Think So!

So Give Me The Story.

Had The Car Long?

Just Buy It?

Has The Problem Been Around Awhile and Just Got Worse Over Time.

Came out of Nowhere?

Was Any Work or Damage Done To Car Right Before Issue Happened?

What Exactly Will The Car Do Now?

Got Reverse?

Can You Start Out in First and Shift Manually ???

Need The Scenerio.

Also Just For Giggles Have You Tried a 10 MInute Battery Disconnect to Reset the Car. Would Not Hurt To Try. I would Not Expect a Immediate Dramatic Change But Would Be Curious of Any Change God Bad or Indifferent.

Pretty Hard To Diagnose This Kind of Issue Not Being there. So Got to Spitball a Bit to Gather Data!

Also If The Fluid Was Really Dirty it May Take a Little Time To Clean Out a Stuck Part Internally.

KC