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Shran
Junk Collector
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Solid Axle Swap
Truck of Month
Got a call tonight to look at my sister's 99 Mercury Tracer. 4 cylinder/auto. 138k.
The issue is that it makes a "twanging" noise going up hills sometimes. I heard it during the 4-3 downshift and only going uphill so it would be under moderate load. The noise sounds like a spring unloading with possibly a slight grind as well, and only lasts for a split second. 2-3 shift also has a noticeable lag, and occasionally it will not downshift from 4th to 3rd at all, even under WOT.
Good news is that it's not slipping in any gear as far as I can tell. The fluid is very dark brown and smells pretty burnt so I am going to change it and hope for the best. That noise is pretty weird though - any ideas? Hate to assume the worst but with that many miles and burnt fluid, I'm not expecting a whole lot more life out of this tranny.
The issue is that it makes a "twanging" noise going up hills sometimes. I heard it during the 4-3 downshift and only going uphill so it would be under moderate load. The noise sounds like a spring unloading with possibly a slight grind as well, and only lasts for a split second. 2-3 shift also has a noticeable lag, and occasionally it will not downshift from 4th to 3rd at all, even under WOT.
Good news is that it's not slipping in any gear as far as I can tell. The fluid is very dark brown and smells pretty burnt so I am going to change it and hope for the best. That noise is pretty weird though - any ideas? Hate to assume the worst but with that many miles and burnt fluid, I'm not expecting a whole lot more life out of this tranny.
