Hey peeps, I drove about 30 k's for a job interview this morning and on the way home my mont felt like it was stuck in 3rd, sluggish takeoff and in the 90 zones it was revving at 2500. I know btrs suck and I need a t5 but looking at getting a ba/f xr6t next year. I gave the engine and trans a service when I bought the car a few months ago. Has anyone else had this problem? If so what is the fix?

when mine used to do it i would pull up on the side of the road turn the car off and start again, pretty sure its limp home mode which means the ecu has found a fault with the trans and its gone into LHM

Ah crap, cheers for the tip bry

Is it trans too hot? 30 k's-> stop and heatsoak for 20 mins then drive home? NEED MOAR COOLER right?

Was the auto filled correctly to the fluid level....???
Has the gear selection switch been replaced ???

Sounds like it's definatley in Limp Home Mode. I've had a few things cause this problem, only on V8's bit the same principle applies. Firstly, make sure the transmission is filled to the correct level (I've had a few problems with them leaking) also make sure the inhibitor switch is good, a faulty inhibitor switch will cause issues, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, check the wiring harness that goes between the gearbox and the main harness, I've had these fail, and put the car in LHM. One other thing too is I've heard that the thermo fan relays not operating correctly can make it go into LHM too. If the transmission is overheating, the "ECON" light on the dash will begin to flash. It'll also go into LHM if it has a nasty internal fault (hope it's not this) or a dead solenoid.

Hope this helps,

Gab

I had this recently on the wife's car. It turned out to be a stuffed S2 solenoid.
When it happens, if it doesn't go away when you turn off the ignition and on again, get under the car and check resistance at the pins, in the round plug, to ground.
I can't remember which ones are which right now, but you can work it out from the Ford service manual.

The btrs are a good box if you look after them. Problems lie in them being abused, lack of servicing and general punishment. I had issues with the controller where it burned out a circuit board and was hunting between the gears and then going into limp mode. Contrary to what some believe,the diagnostic tools used by some shops will not show this when they hook it up and will come up as a speedo error. The only way to confirm it is the controller is to remove it and look for blackening of the pins.

Other issues are poor oil, burnt bands which are non adjustable, poor or no servicing, selector switch being scalded by the cat converter(if you don't have the heat shield on either the cat or the box, get one!!!), general abuse by the driver(they are not a performance box by any means) and just sheer laziness with Respects to owners. Check the things you can checheck yourself to eliminate the obvious, pull the controller out(it is above your left foot in the drivers footwell)and look if there is any blackening of pins. It is a pain to remove so beware. Failing this, a reputable auto mech will do you well.

Hooroo

+1 Had the exact same thing on my EF once.

Cheers for all the replies guys, it did it again today driving to work, 39 degrees today :s
I stuck my head under the car when I got to work and I'm pretty sure the cat is cooking my trans, definitely gonna make a heat shield I reckon.
Me and my old boy serviced the trans about a month ago. The oil that come out was fairly average but the pan was relatively clean. I think the previous owner towed a caravan or other heavy crap. I'll take it up to my dads when he gets back from the river and have a look. Thanks again!

the btr's are a good transmission if looked after, limp home could mean it's hot or there is an internal problem, service them evey year and they are fine.
my 95 ef still has the original auto from new and was used for towing a caravan before i bought it, and it still going ok.