I own an auto 98 EL falcon. It has 233000 kms on the clock. The previous owner did leave service logbooks and i have looked through them but i cant find when the transmission was last serviced.

The transmission 'thumps' from 1st into 2nd gear, and over-revs while doing it. Also while it shifts the gear shifter shakes pretty violently.

I took it to a transmission specialist and they said, just from taking it for a short drive that it requires a full-reco and servicing it would only make the problem worse. He quoted me $1500 for the reco.

However, i have done some searching on the net and many people have said that a S5 solenoid would fix this problem. Would this be the case, if so how much would it cost to be fitted (genuine ford part on ebay is $250). Also i have read that replacing the throttle position sensor would eliminate the problem.

So i have these options:

Replace throttle position sensor
S5 solenoid
2nd hand transmission from wreckers
Full-reco

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Well you wouldn't just start replacing things with out testing them first.

The easiest thing would be check the TPS with a multi meter.
and run a diagnostic self test in both 'key on engine off' and 'key on engine running'
If it shows up a solenoid problem then test the solenoid. if it fails the test replace it.

It's also quite easy to service the trans at home.

Last edited by tickford_6 on Sun Jul 29, 2012 9:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

thread moved to gearbox,suspension and driveline forum...

If you are in Sydney, take it to freds automatics at Greenacre, should be drive in drive out for under $1000. For a full reco box with warranty. Otherwise, yeah, as tickford_6 says. Just make sure you test it first.

Wow, that is the lowest that ive have seen it quoted..

How long would the warranty be for? Do they have a good reputation?

I got mine done there, Mine was a fair bit different though being a T series box, it cost almost double.

FREDS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS
18 BRUNKER ROAD GREENACRE NSW
TEL: 02 9709 4644

Full recondition with 8 months unlimited warranty
Quick and Efficient.

They are currently advertising rebuilds on 5 and 6 speed ford autos for $1150, I think the BTR may have moves in price. but I would still suggest about $1000 drive in drive out.

They service the taxi industry very heavily, so they see these boxes day in day out. They always have a few on the shelf as well that have already been reco'd hence the quick turn around time, I know they can get a taxi in and out in under 1.5 hours. Thats pretty quick.

If your considering going there, send me a pm first, I'll tell you a name to drop to try and save some coin as well.

great price and service,nice

Oh, if you can afford it, while they are there doing the box, get them the put a trans cooler on it as well. Money very well spent, it will also extent the life of the box. I think I paid $180 for a cooler.

All up I paid $1850 including the cooler, I acutally had to get my box rebuild and put back in as its full of bloody series specific parts, a T2 box is the same as a T3 box, that is essentially an XR6T box, but the T1 box is different again.. go figure.

Thanks for the info guys, might have to check them out.