hi guys am new to the forum i just recently purchased a 01 S type 3.0 w 150k i drove the car 90 miles home and everything was working fine. i park the car for a week and when i went to drive it, it would go in all the gears but it wouldn't engage. But if i rev the engine up to 3k it will engage and drive just fine. what could be causing the problem? i know is a ford tranny.

 

d16highbooat - Be sure to post an introduction in the new members section and be sure to add your vehicle info to your signature. Yes, you do have the Ford 5R55N trans - there are many threads dealing with this trans - however, I believe you might not have access just yet, hence why you need to post an intro.

Your best bet would be to take your vehicle, since you just purchased it to a trusted and reputable trans shop and have them look for specific codes. Many generic OBDII readers won't have the ability to pull codes from all different modules. Engagement issues are evident of the solenoid pack or the shifter linkage or even the shifter itself I believe - but a compitent tech would be able to confirm. Another possible suspect could be low fluid - these trans cases are sealed, so there is a specific procedure to add fluid to the trans from underneath the vehicle.

Did the previous owner share any service history with you on the vehicle? Any trans service? rebuild?

I would also have the entire car checked out as the miles are kinda high and there could be issues lurking that haven't made an appearance yet. Good Luck!

 

hi there i will make my introduction in the new members section i will take the car to a good tranny shop then but first i want to change the tranny fluid and filter and see if it helps a bit

 

I hear you on the trans fluid/filter change - check the stickys on top of the S Type Forum feed - there are threads there that deal with fluid & filter changes - good luck - I wish you the best.

 

First thing I found with these zero-loss transmissions ... Just because it has plugs like a manual trans or a rearend does not mean you can top off fluid without the engine running. Doing so will leave your transmission 6 quarts low. So start there. 1 - Pull the center plug from the drain bolt, 2 - remove the rear fill plug at the tail. 3- (Take the wand off a one gallon pump up sprayer) put a quart of Mercon V in it and 4 - the hose in the fill hole, 5 Pump sprayer untill trans fluid streams from drain ( or repeat as necessary until it does ) 6 - Replaceyour plugs. 7 - Clear codes by removing battery ground.

 

For a fluid top off on a sealed transmission, don't remove the drain plug just the fill plug. Yes, you fill it with the car running and up to temperature.

To the OP. I wouldn't go as far as a fluid change at this time. Why go through the trouble and expense if something needs fixed. Then you will have to do it all over again. If checking and it's low, top it up. If it drives fine after that, then do a full filter and change. If not, fix what is wrong along with a fluid change.

Also, there is a much easier and cheaper solution to a pump sprayer... Use this for fluid...

Multi-Use Transfer Pump

Have it and it works great... Even with a long draw hose down a dip stick tube to pull fluid out.

 

JOsworth,
I am glad you posted the transfer pump link. It is at one of the many places I checked with "looking" for a means of filling the trans, the employee who answered the phone was unaware of it. That's why I came up with the pump up sprayer, it was a quick local solution. Tool is on my list ... Thanks

 

Mercon V is an acceptable tranny fluid? For my 2000 s-type 3.0?
Also how can i be sure what model of tranmition I have?
Thanks

 

If it's an auto pre-2002.5MY (2003 USA) then it's the Ford 5R55N (all engine sizes).

Detailed FAQ thread about R & R for it incl. refill.

 

thanks to all u guys for the help i would check the fluid level first before i change the filter i hope that is just a low fluid thing

 

Filling the trans does require you to remove the drain plug in the center of the drain bolt on the bottom of the pan. There is a tube on the drain bolt that stops at the proper fluid height when the motor is running. When you fill from the fill plug (on the rear of the tail cover) it will spill over in the tube on the drain bolt letting you know it is full. When you are done replace both plugs and you are finished. I was on vacation the other day and did not get to address this.

 

Didn't know if you caught my other post the Jag 5R55N specifies Mercon V on the back of the tail piece under the fill plug. Hope it was just low on fluid.

 

hi guys is been a while since my last post just wanted to let all of you that the thing w my tranny it was just a low fluid, thanks to all for the help i really like this site

 

Keep an eye on it for leaks