Check Engine Light

[cougar1791]

Originally Posted by travster

I payed $2100.00 for the car.
I only have problems shifting after driving at highway speeds for extended periods of time (overheating).

I payed $2000 for mine.


Tomorrow I will go back to autozone and get the actual code, I dont know why i didn't get it I meant to ask for it. He said it just read transmission and it doesn't read anything more specific. I'm hoping it something small tho.

[travster]

Originally Posted by cougar1791

I payed $2000 for mine.


Tomorrow I will go back to autozone and get the actual code, I dont know why i didn't get it I meant to ask for it. He said it just read transmission and it doesn't read anything more specific. I'm hoping it something small tho.

Talk about a small world. Good luck man! I hope you don't have this damn P1477 code.

[cougar1791]

Originally Posted by travster

Talk about a small world. Good luck man! I hope you don't have this damn P1477 code.

Why whats the p1477 code. Cause i got a quick glimpse and if I was to guess I thought it looked like 1744 or something like that but I'm gunna check tomorrow for sure.

[travster]

Originally Posted by cougar1791

Why whats the p1477 code. Cause i got a quick glimpse and if I was to guess I thought it looked like 1744 or something like that but I'm gunna check tomorrow for sure.

My apologizes, I didn't type the correct code. The code is infact P1744. On the OBDII scanner it said something along the lines of Manufctr Transmission Cntrl. The code implies the torque converter clutch is not engaging. From what I've come to understand, this is the most common failure with the atx in our cars. It's caused by a defect in the design of the value body. Over time the clutch disks in the torque converter clutch begin to slip causing the fluid to overheat. Overheating can damage other components of the transmission if it's left unmitigated. IIRC, someone over on CEG mentioned that changing the fluid can fix this problem since it restores the friction necessary for proper operation. I'm praying this works for me since my car drives normally during city driving. If you in fact have this code, I would suggest draining and filling your fluid as described here first. I've read to avoid having a flush performed on a transmission that has not been properly cared for because it can make things worse.

[cougar1791]

Alright tomorrow once I get the code I will see what it is and post here and try to get some help. I love the cougar and don't want to get rid of it. But I also don't want to have to dump money I don't have into it.

Also about the transaxle, now and then i got like a ! mark thats in a circle type thing where it tells me how many miles i got left till i need to fill up. I think thats a transaxle message? How would I get rid of that? Think its related?

[papatedroach]

Originally Posted by cougar1791

Alright tomorrow once I get the code I will see what it is and post here and try to get some help. I love the cougar and don't want to get rid of it. But I also don't want to have to dump money I don't have into it.

Also about the transaxle, now and then i got like a ! mark thats in a circle type thing where it tells me how many miles i got left till i need to fill up. I think thats a transaxle message? How would I get rid of that? Think its related?

Thats the "OH SH#T!" light for your transaxle. It means very bad things. It is related to trans porblems. Fix your trans problem and it will go away. Like sadi above try changing the fluid like was mentioned above.

[cougar1791]

After I get the code I will probably pick up some fluid. Does it matter what kind? The transaxle light has been going on and off for awhile now before my check engine light was even on. If changing the fluid makes the light turn off it should also fix the transaxle problem?

[cougar1791]

So I just got back from Autozone. It was in fact code P1744. What type of transmission fluid should I use? The guy at Autozone said that its really hard to do. I said I thought you just drain the old fluid and pour new fluid in? And he said if that doesn't turn the engine light off then I should sell it cause it will cost a lot.

[travster]

Originally Posted by cougar1791

So I just got back from Autozone. It was in fact code P1744. What type of transmission fluid should I use? The guy at Autozone said that its really hard to do. I said I thought you just drain the old fluid and pour new fluid in? And he said if that doesn't turn the engine light off then I should sell it cause it will cost a lot.

From what I've heard from shops in my area, it would cost me around $2000 to rebuild my transmission. Luckily, a member of this site lives close enough to help me drop a transmission in it so that reduces the cost. Maybe there's someone on this site that could help you too?

I've heard good things about Mobil Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid, and that's what I plan to use. The directions are in the thread I linked to over on CEG earlier. It doesn't seem to overly complicated. Just read the first page of that thread.

I considered selling the car, but I decided against it because I'd probably lose $500-$1000 in the sale. People tend to shy away when they hear 'transmission problem'. I think it's more economical to repair the car than to cut my loses and try to find another. I guess it just depends on your situation.

I'm pretty new to all of this so if anyone has any input please feel free because I could use the advice too .

[cougar1791]

This weekend I plan on picking up some transmission fluid and Ill try to get it in on Sat. If that doesnt solve anything I think ill put it up for sale. There is someone at work who said they would take it for a little more than what i paid but they want it loaded with stereo, intake, neon and such. Hopefully they have the cash.