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        General >> Problems >> Confused Gearbox Problem
        
(Message started by: Moonchalk on Dec 15^th, 2008, 9:02pm)

Title: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 15^th, 2008, 9:02pm

Bit of an odd one this, was wondering if anyone has had similar.

First of all, model is a 1998 2.3 about 70k.

Before I go any further, as this is autobox problem, I have done the obvious, i.e. thoroughly cleaned the MAF and had an oil & filter change and the VSS\Speedo is working fine so these are eliminated as causes.

Problem is general autobox confusion. It gets into a state where it just doesn't seem to know which gear it should be in. It kind of sorts itself out if I ease right off the throttle & also stopping and re-starting the car seems to temporarily cure it.

Initially it only seemed to play up after being put under some load. Typically, a few seconds of moderate to hard acceleration or driving above 2500rpm would set it off. More recently however, it has started playing up at lower speeds eg confusion and thumping on change between 1st and second. Its an intermittent problem, but getting worse.

Given comments above about eliminating the MAF\Oil\VSS, is there anything else I can try?

Failing that, anyone in south Staffordshire or nearby with an OBD scanner? (Willing to pay if required).

Thanks,

MC

:)

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Simmo on Dec 15^th, 2008, 9:12pm

MC. Just a thought. Could the MAF be faulty?. Do you have any contacts who would let you try a known working one to eliminate the possibility?. It certainly sounds like it is trying to compensate for erroneous signals from a sensor.

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 15^th, 2008, 9:40pm

Its an idea I hadn't thought of. The MAF looked immaculate when I checked it, but could be electronic problem within I suppose.

Will try and source another to test.

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 15^th, 2008, 9:41pm

Anybody got a spare I could borrow for a few days?

;)

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Tompion on Dec 15^th, 2008, 11:07pm

You could try unplugging the MAF & see how it behaves.

Try a search on Ebay for the part no that’s on the MAF electronic box. There are other cars use the same one, I bought one on Ebay about £10 plus p&p from a Galaxy (now on my 2.3).

Could be the loom, mine was sometimes confused – mainly on kickdown or going up steep hills until I changed the loom.

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/dohcloom.htm

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Jonnycab on Dec 15^th, 2008, 11:39pm

Mk1/2, 2.0 Mondeos use the same MAF if it's any help :)

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 16^th, 2008, 7:57pm

Tompion:

Out of interest, I checked the price of that loom at an FMD today...

£694 :o :o :o

I'll be off to eBay then now ... !

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 16^th, 2008, 8:19pm

How should I be expecting it to behave if I disconnect the MAF?

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Simmo on Dec 16^th, 2008, 9:09pm

It will run in what is known as Limited Operation Strategy. Have a read of THIS article (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/maftest.htm) and that should help. ;)

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Tompion on Dec 17^th, 2008, 1:08am

on 12/16/08 at 19:57:48, Moonchalk wrote:

Tompion:

Out of interest, I checked the price of that loom at an FMD today...

£694 :o :o :o

I'll be off to eBay then now ... !

Check the wires to see what they're like it may not be the problem.

They aren't that dear {} FMD often have trouble finding the correct loom.
They were difficult to get a while back but fordpartsuk now list them here:

http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/scorpio_fuel_shut_off_loom_1051.htm

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by a900one on Dec 17^th, 2008, 11:32am

Was the problem there before the oil change?

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 18^th, 2008, 2:43pm

Yes, it was there before the oil change.

However, did a 40 mile round trip yesterday with the MAF disconnected. Problem did not reoccur and actually seemed to drive better (certainly did not go into LOS). So looks like failed or failing MAF IS the culprit after all.

I find it odd that the ECU should be programmed in such a way that a failing sensor can override other inputs when it plainly should be ignoring it.

Anyway, off to eBay for a spare MAF ...

BTW MAF part number for anyone having same problem is 93BB-12B579-BA

Thanks to all for the help.

MC

:)

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 30^th, 2008, 10:20pm

As a precautionary measure and due to some minor signs of damage, I decided to change the fuel loom anyway, given reasonably low cost mentioned by Tompion above.

New loom arrived yesterday & have just done the job myself over the last couple of days and have to say that the comments here ...

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/dohcloom.htm

... significantly underestimate the difficulty of making one of the connections, UNLESS you have access to a ramp for access from below.

The problem connection for me was the small circular rubber plug as pics below ...

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/lysithea/P1010002copy.jpg

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/lysithea/P1010006copy.jpg

It should attach somewhere just forward of the oil filter, but is virtually impossible to get at from above the engine. I've had to temporarily leave it disconnected until I can get the car to a ramp. Car seems to run ok without it, but is obviously a concern.

Does anyone know what its purpose is and any potential consequence of running without it?

Thanks,

MC

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by gawsworthboy on Dec 30^th, 2008, 10:45pm

Hi, yep your right...it's a real beggar to fit this sensor plug....if I remember rightly there it goes onto a sensor on the drivers side kind of just above the oil filter I think. The wire is only just long enough I found after all the other plugs were in place....I ended up cutting it off the new loom and joined it to the existing plug.....so hard to reachabove the oil filter (or was it the starter???) Anyway...get it on a ramp if you can....I dont know what the connecting sensor does but I did not want to drive around with it disconected....hope that helps and good luck....Steve

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Highlander on Dec 30^th, 2008, 10:47pm

Oil pressure switch i think, the one on the end of the loom is the camshaft sensor

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Highlander on Dec 30^th, 2008, 10:47pm

Do you get the oil light illuminating when you turn the ignition on??

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Moonchalk on Dec 30^th, 2008, 11:00pm

No, don't think so.

Will check again tmrw.

MC

Title: Re: Confused Gearbox Problem
Post by Tompion on Dec 31^st, 2008, 12:15am

Yes it's for the oil pressure switch.

Much easier to get at from underneath with the oil filter off.

Too late now :( but the thing to do is cut the old wire, make a temporary connection to the new plug and then pull it through with the old wire when you change the oil/filter.