Help Quick!! ATX Slipping

[VACougar]

Note: I know this was posted elsewhere but I was hoping for some help quick.

I just started having trouble this morning, when the ATX hung in first gear and would rev to redline with no go as if in nuetral. I have a 2000 V6 with 130,000 miles. I just changed my fluid a few weeks ago and haven't had any trouble until now. The fluid level ( I just checked) is in the XXX on the dipstick. Here's what happened at lunch today: It hung in first gear until around 3500 RPm with little throttle being applied. Then it shifted and appeared ok. Soon after that while driving around 45 MPH the OD light came on flashing and then I got a tranny warning light blinking (I think I was driving at higher than normal RPMs, almost 2.5k to 3k at 45 to 50 MPH)...Is this more than just a 1-2 shift problem or are there other issues?

I have seen here that I should change the 1-2 solenoid to possibly fix the problem. The Dealer quoted me $222 for all the solenoids (they come in a pack). I don't have any trouble replacing more than one, they are old anyway, but I need to know if its worth my while or just swap the tranny completely. Could it also be a torque converter issue? I have no idea, but I hope to get it fixed soon. If anyone has any ideas, that would be great.

I just talked to the dealer and he said that without a flush I left like half the fluid in the converter and that in the fluid change I could have let some crap get into the valve body and that a good flush may fix the problem...Is there anything else I should look for or do?

[VACougar]

The ATX is dead. Lost OD and I have metal shavings in the fluid, checked with the dipstick. Guess a new trans is needed. Anyone want a 2000 cougar with a bad tranny, thinking of selling it for maybe $5k? I have no $$$ to fix it.

[VACougar]

Does anyone know where I can get a good used ATX? Perhaps one for around $500 or so. I hope to have a few friends help me out installing it. Is there a thread for tips on how to best remove it? How to?

[1COUGAR99]

Search your local junkyards, or go to http://car-part.com/.

Try and get as low a mileage one as possible to minimize your risk of it being too badly messed up. Also try and find one that is close to your year as the CD4E has changed over the years and you'll want to be sure the sensors are the same. You can get a newer trans and it will work. Here's a site one of the guys over at CEG put together a long time ago, http://www.geocities.com/yyz81/cd4e/differences.html. TONS of information on that website, read it over.

As far as a how to for removing the trans. Don't really know of one, if you have the time head over to CEG and get in contact with a guy named TODRAS. He has Ford CD's. He might have one for the Cougar. Or there is always Chilton. The easiest way is to pull the entire drivetrain as one and then seperate the trans out of the vehicle. This eliminates the need to get an engine brace and it will be much easier if you don't have a lift.

Good Luck.