Check shift linkages and connections on the transmission for damage ,disconnections and proper adjustment if good than possible internal gear amage
SOURCE: 96 Ford Contour CD4E Auto Trans.
The item referred to needing adjustment in the previous reply is called the MLP (manual lever position sensor). It tells the computer electronically that the car is in P, R, N, D, 2,1 (depending on the gear selector) It also allows the car to only be started in P and N for safety.
If it is out of adjustment, the sensor is misaligned with it's reference point on the gear selector rod, which goes into the trans case and pushes/pulls a rod that moves the selector piston/valve. The valve will be in the right place but the computer will say other wise and it controls the shifting with the solenoids.
SOURCE INFO:
{MLP transaxle function: determion desired gear and electronic pressure control (EPC) pressure:
Symptoms: Harsh engagements and firm shift feel, engine may not crank, may downshift to a lower gear, 2nd or 3rd gear operation, transaxle not inicating the proper gear, no 4th gear operation. no manual first gear.}
Another point of interest is the EPC (electronic pressure control)solenoid inside the black side cover.
Failed OFF-maximum EPC pressure, harsh engagements and harsh shifts.
Another possible issue may just worn out clutches if the unit has high mileage or maybe verify fluid level and recent change of fluid. The filter is inside unit and trans has to be removed to change, some Hondas are like this too.
SOURCE: automatic transmission sounds like it stuck in 3rd gear
You need to check the transmission fluid level, if it is low the tranny will not shift. If, however, the fluid is to the proper level then you will need a new transmission.
Try putting new fluid in and look for a leak in the pan gasket, then all you may need is a transmission service. When the service is done the mechanic will look for pieces of metal in the old fluid, if found this is very bad and you will need a new tranny.
You might consider a new or used car, you can definately find a good deal out there!
SOURCE: 1997 ford contour transmission over drive light
The first thing you need to do is get the tranny power flushed.
And not the aerosol cans of flush you buy at the parts store.
Don't go to AAMCO either.
Certified transmission or a reputible service garage can do this. It averages about $160. The contour uses a CD4E series automatic 4 spd tranny. It has a history of overheating. It was used in the Contour, Mystique, Ford Escape, Ford Probe, Merc. Cougar, Mazda 626 and MX-6, and Mazda Tribute. all had the overheating problem that cooked the tranny fluid. They run hot.
The overdrive light starts blinking I bet when you drive it on the interstate at highway speeds for about 5 or more miles... then it shifts real hard (whiplash effect). Turn the car off and reset the transmission controller and the light stops, and it shifts normally... this doesn't fix the problem though.
Primary solution is to flush the tranny. You have to do this to save whatever life is left in the transmission clutch disk/packs.
The CD4E does not have a filter in the pan, but a screen. It's located on the front of the transmission, not the bottom. The pan is hard to get at and is easier to do if you remove the tranny from the car. .
As i said, have the tranny flushed, then, pick up a good "stacked fin" oil cooler from your parts store. They run about $70 for a good one. If you get the tube/fin ones, they average about $30 but only cool half as much for the area they take up.
You can get a used one out of the early model ford Explorers (92-94) with automatic transmissions. They run about $5 to $10 at the junk yard.
Find the Transmission cooling lines going into the radiator tank and using a mini pipe cutter, cut the return line that goes from the radiator back to the transmission about 6-12 inches back from the tank. Get some heavy duty rubber oil tubing from your auto parts store and divert the output line to the cooler and then back to the tubing that hooks to the transmission...
You can even add an externally mounted oil filter, like the one used for the engine, next to the cooler giving you a great way to maintain your transmission even longer. A filter you can change like your oil filter.
Either way, you'll cool the fluid properly and extend the life of your transmission. The blinking light is a warning, like your check engine light, to get you to check the transmission... ie... I'm running too hot!!!
SOURCE: 97 ford contour, 2.5 L, automatic transmission, OD
The first thing you need to do is get the tranny power flushed.
And not the aerosol cans of flush you buy at the parts store.
Don't go to AAMCO either.
Certified transmission or a reputible service garage can do this. It averages about $160. The contour uses a CD4E series automatic 4 spd tranny. It has a history of overheating. It was used in the Contour, Mystique, Ford Escape, Ford Probe, Merc. Cougar, Mazda 626 and MX-6, and Mazda Tribute. all had the overheating problem that cooked the tranny fluid. They run hot.
The overdrive light starts blinking I bet when you drive it on the interstate at highway speeds for about 5 or more miles... then it shifts real hard (whiplash effect). Turn the car off and reset the transmission controller and the light stops, and it shifts normally... this doesn't fix the problem though.
Primary solution is to flush the tranny. You have to do this to save whatever life is left in the transmission clutch disk/packs.
The CD4E does not have a filter in the pan, but a screen. It's located on the front of the transmission, not the bottom. The pan is hard to get at and is easier to do if you remove the tranny from the car. .
As i said, have the tranny flushed, then, pick up a good "stacked fin" oil cooler from your parts store. They run about $70 for a good one. If you get the tube/fin ones, they average about $30 but only cool half as much for the area they take up.
You can get a used one out of the early model ford Explorers (92-94) with automatic transmissions. They run about $5 to $10 at the junk yard.
Find the Transmission cooling lines going into the radiator tank and using a mini pipe cutter, cut the return line that goes from the radiator back to the transmission about 6-12 inches back from the tank. Get some heavy duty rubber oil tubing from your auto parts store and divert the output line to the cooler and then back to the tubing that hooks to the transmission...
You can even add an externally mounted oil filter, like the one used for the engine, next to the cooler giving you a great way to maintain your transmission even longer. A filter you can change like your oil filter.
Either way, you'll cool the fluid properly and extend the life of your transmission. The blinking light is a warning, like your check engine light, to get you to check the transmission... ie... I'm running too hot!!!
Also, here's a web site with photo's on how to do this....
http://www.grandprix.net/upgrades/cooler.html
one more...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5091022/229127-main_Full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ehow.com/about_5091022_transmission-cooler.html&usg=__8xUKBwqIDsrAYI8cMhg5Uw8bHs4=&h=450&w=600&sz=40&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=6HnuKpt_YA78IM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dexternal%2Btransmission%2Bcooler%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
SOURCE: transmission problems: car is stuck in 3rd gear.
Hi the reason it is stuck in 3rd gear, is because there is an gearbox problem and it does this as a saftey precaution, my advise is to check the gearbox oil 1st also you can check the gearbox ecu to see if there are any faults logged, you may find that the valve chest might be faulty, inside the gearbox, hope this helps
Testimonial: "it was the shift solenoid. had it replaced and works great :]"
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