A/T - CD4E Harsh Shift Felt On Heavy Accelerations

Article No.
99-20-1

10/04/99

TRANSAXLE - CD4E - HARSH SHIFT FELT ON HEAVY
ACCELERATIONS - 2.0L VEHICLES

FORD:
1995-1998 CONTOUR

MERCURY:
1995-1998 MYSTIQUE

ISSUE
There may be a concern of a harsh shift feel at large throttle openings (or at heavy acceleration rate) on some vehicles. This may be caused by Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor deterioration. The MAF sensor may cause CD4E transmission "harsh" shift feel performance, but may not be sufficient to "trigger" the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). This may result in costly and ineffective transmission diagnostics and repairs. Deteriorated MAF sensor performance causes mismatched transmission engine torque compensation by programmed calibration.

ACTION
Conduct MAF sensor performance diagnostics prior to repairing transmission for any "harsh" shift feel related complaint. Transmission repairs will not correct the MAF sensor error "caused" shift feel complaints. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Use New Generation Star (NGS) Tester or Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS) to determine if Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are stored in memory.

2. Diagnose and repair any DTC codes found as required.

3. Refer to TSB 98-23-10 for MAF sensor diagnostics as found under Service Procedure.

4. Upon completing MAF sensor diagnostics review and repair (if necessary), then re-evaluate vehicle for transmission symptom complaint.

5. If this is a 1998 Contour/Mystique model vehicle and symptom is not remedied, refer to TSB 98-13-11 (if transmission was replaced, refer to TSB 98-24-2). These TSB articles address servo cushion spring replacement, transmission assembly replacement, and corresponding Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration required matching.

NOTE
TSB 98-13-11 AND TSB 98-24-2 APPLY ONLY TO 1998 MODEL YEAR CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF COUNTRY OR REGION. 1998 MODEL YEAR MONDEO VEHICLES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR THE SERVO CUSHION SPRING CHANGE.

If this vehicle is not a 1998 model and the symptom is not remedied, proceed to Step 9.

6. If TSB 98-13-11 applies to vehicle, follow procedure to replace servo and re-flash PCM to the appropriate service calibration level identified in the article.

7. If a service transmission was installed, verify that the transmission assembly and PCM calibration are properly matched, as designated in articles 98-24-2 and 98-13-11.

8. Evaluate vehicle to verify repair.

9. If the concern is not corrected, follow normal diagnostic and repair procedures.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 98-13-11, 98-23-10, 98-24-2

WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY

OASIS CODES: 501000, 503000, 504000