2000 Mustang Automatic Transmission Problem - Please Help!
I just bought a 2000 V6 Automatic coupe for my daughter. It drove great during the test drive, but now every once in a while the transmission seems to shift itself into Neutral while driving. When this happens the shifter remains firmly locked in the Drive position. To recover I shift to 2nd gear, then back to Drive and its fine for a while. The transmission fluid level is OK and the fluid looks good - salmon color. The car has 97,000 miles on it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If it was just me I'd probably drive it the way it is, but my daughter is just learning to drive and I'm very nervous letting her drive it this way. Also, this may or may not be related - when I open the driver's door the alert sounds. It seems like this should only happen if the key is in the ignition with the door open, but I'm new to mustangs...Leon
I just bought a 2000 V6 Automatic coupe for my daughter. It drove great during the test drive, but now every once in a while the transmission seems to shift itself into Neutral while driving. When this happens the shifter remains firmly locked in the Drive position. To recover I shift to 2nd gear, then back to Drive and its fine for a while. The transmission fluid level is OK and the fluid looks good - salmon color. The car has 97,000 miles on it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If it was just me I'd probably drive it the way it is, but my daughter is just learning to drive and I'm very nervous letting her drive it this way. Also, this may or may not be related - when I open the driver's door the alert sounds. It seems like this should only happen if the key is in the ignition with the door open, but I'm new to mustangs...Leon
Well, considering you just purchased it not too long ago, and I presume you don't know the service intervals on the car, I would change the tranny fluid and filter and go from there. Just because the fluid is the right color, doesn't mean the filter is not clogged. Your symptoms are typical at this point.......
Are you getting any shuddering when you pull up to stop signs?
Does it happen when cold or warm or both? What gear is it usually in when it neutrals? Roughly, what speed and RPM? Do the RPMs spike quickly or do they drop and rise back when it occurs?
If the transmission has had a failure before and it was repaired without replacing the radiator, this could be the resulting problem.
Based on what you've said, the greatest help I can offer is:
This is how the transmission works:
In first gear(D): Forward clutch applies
In second gear(D): Intermediate clutch applies
In third gear: Direct clutch applies
In fourth gear: Over drive band applies, and forward clutch releases
In manual first gear(1): Forward clutch and reverse band apply
In manual second gear(2): Over drive band applies
If the forward clutch is weak and slipping, it will cause it to "neutral" in all but fourth gear and manual second(2), I believe this is what's happening.
What happens when you shift it into "second" is: all applied clutches release, while the OD band applies. This means your OD band is in good shape. You need to try driving around in manual first gear(1). If it slips in this gear choice, it could be due to a leak in the forward clutch cylinder. TIME FOR A REBUILD! Make SURE you replace you radiator when you rebuild, you will regret it a few months from now if you do not. DO NOT HAVE IT FLUSHED. IT IS A BROKEN PART NOW. MOVE ON.
If the clutch goes out, you'll notice immediately. You could drive it in this state, but you would have to have it in manual second(2) until about 50 MPH, when you could let off the accelerator and "shift" into Drive(D). This will, if my theory is correct, cause it to neutral for a short time(1-5 seconds), then shift into fourth. Remember to downshift into manual second(2) At any speed below 40!
I personally drove it about 30 miles today, including 65 MPH on the Interstate. The one time that it happened I was accelerating from a stop light and got up to about 40 to 45 MPH when it disengaged. This was pretty early this morning, so if you think heat is a factor that would explain why it seems to happen more often when my wife drove it (highs about 100F in Tucson right now)
..... Your forward clutch is releasing too quickly when your OD band applies(causing the transmission to "neutral" when attempting to shift into fourth gear). This isn't good, but it's not the worst thing that could happen. This is also a fairly common problem(common among malfunctioning units: normal units operate without incident).
Now, next time this happens, don't try to recover. Hold the throttle so that the RPMs stay between 1700 and 2000. If it takes more than 10 seconds, let go and shift into manual second(2) to recover.
Observe your fluid SOON after. Use a white paper towel. (Not a kleenex.) White paper towels are not scented in any way and offer no distraction, regarding the colour of the fluid. Don't bother with checking the level, it is not about what level it is at.
Are there any debris in the fluid at this time? Is the colour any different? Most importantly: does it smell burnt? The smell is commonly overlooked.
If the problem occurs with overdrive, is there a way to keep it from trying to go to OD and stay in 3rd? I know my 88 Supra had an overdrive disable button... For now we are just using the mustang in town, shouldn't need to go over about 45MPH if that will avoid repairs for now.
If the problem occurs with overdrive, is there a way to keep it from trying to go to OD and stay in 3rd? I know my 88 Supra had an overdrive disable button... For now we are just using the mustang in town, shouldn't need to go over about 45MPH if that will avoid repairs for now.
The OD option may be disabled by pressing the smaller, gray button on the shift stick. On your HUD a little, green "O/D" light will come on and stay on. This is showing that OD is currently disabled.
It is, actually, okay to drive the vehicle at speeds of up to 160 MPH in its third gear. At any speed higher than that, your drive shaft may fail.
The only problems are: 1)Ride quality and 2)Fuel efficiency
Not much you can do to combat either in this situation, but it will bypass the current problem. I would recommend you have this fixed before you allow your daughter to drive alone. If she forgets to hit that button, and it "neutrals" while shifting, she may panic and damage the car further, or possibly injure herself or someone else.
I will try the OD disable and see if that helps. It may not, my wife said the problem was happening at all different speeds. How much does a tranny rebuild cost,anyway?
Forgot to mention that my Supra had a problem where the OD would not work, used to drive 700 miles in a day at 3000 RPM, still got pretty good gas mileage
2000 Mustang Automatic Transmission Problem - Please Help! 
