How's it goin? I had a little problem today. Turning out of a parking lot onto a major street (luckily nobody was coming in the lane), and the truck did what i thought stalled out. It dropped to 1000 RPMs and would not go any higher, my speed being limited to 10mph. Pedal to the floor, wouldnt do anything. Then the little wrench light went on on the gauge setup. Shut it off and started it and the light was gone and was fine the rest of the way. Called my mechanice/service rep at my ford dealer, and he called it "limp home mode". This is really my first major problem with the truck aside from a transmission kick which was fixed with a reflash. I havent really looked this problem up yet but would like to know what it really comes from and if this is a sign telling me "GTFO out of this truck before it really costs ya". Oh yeah im out of warranty.

 

Could be a million different things. Throttle control sounds like it may be the one, but you never can tell.

Yes this is a "normal" feature on the Ford. The limp home mode, prevents people from dirving the truck right into the ground when an issue comes up.

The light is off, meaning the computer no longer detects the problem, but the code has been stored into its "memory". You need to get to a Tech and have him pull the code to see what the problem was. Yes, more then likely, if it goes un-fixed it will start happening more and more.

You can always pull the code, make it go away, sell it as fast as you can before the problem comes back !

 

thanks for the quick reply. My mechanic is giving me BS saying cuz the light went off that they wouldnt be able to find any records of what happened this morning.

Im talking with my salesman now...

 

No problem.
Yup, thats BS. The trouble code will be stored if the light went on.
(they may not have the proper scan tools, and just feeding you BS. The scan tools cost BIG BANK ! Upwards of 5-10k.... might want to look into another Tech shop!)

 

I believe even a programmer will pull a code after the light has gone off. Don't quote me on that but I believe it will, so if you have a programmer hook it up and pull the code then google it and it should give you what is wrong.
Blake

 

Not necessarily, I had the same thing happen with my '04 about 6 months after I bought it. I backed out of my garage, suddenly it started running rough. I put it in park and tried to rev it but couldn't get it over 1000 RPM, the wrench light was also on. I shut the truck off, restarted it and it ran fine. I took right to my dealer for what I thought would be my first warranty fix, they put the scanner on it and it came back with no codes.

It did it that one time and hasn't done it since.

 

Well im dealin on another vehicle right now. Wait, gimme a sec guys, gotta get something...



Im dealin on an escape... The payment is gonna be 50 bucks cheaper, and ill be gettin 20+ mpg.

Should look something like this, but in white;




or like this, but with chrome grill and other pieces;



Itll be v6, loaded XLT if not every, almost every option, 4x4.

Not exactly sure what itll look like yet cuz i havent seen it, but going to tomorrow or this weekend. I know ill get flamed for it but theres no other way of getting into a better vehicle in my situation (ending lease early, over mileage, REALLY need to get out of it). Ill be back in a truck eventually...

 

I dont know man. Your a little redneck, I don't think the escape would fit your style. What about a slightly used 150 with a 100k warranty or something?

EDIT: Not that the Escape isn't a sweet ride, It's just a bit too "soccer mom" for my taste

 

you definetly should lift it.

 

I dont think so.

 

dont forget your helmet.

 

You too! you might need it when you finally lift "big red", fat kids cant jump!

 

Just as an FYI... the Escape has one of the worst automatic transmissions in Ford's history in it.

It's the dreaded CD4E.

Want some proof on how they suddenly go poof at such a short lifespan?

Read up my man... read up... as there are sites just dedicated to the CD4E and it's crappyness.

http://atxprobes.com/cd4e.html - Site dedicated to the Ford Probe's CD4E... but it's the SAME tranny... even though Ford said they supposibly "build up" the tranny for use in the Escape/Tribute/Mariner.

http://www.escape-central.com/1forum...php?forumid=14 - It's a rancid thing... unless you want to change your tranny fluid out every 10k and still have it die an early death at 20k... people hate it.

http://www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html - Yes, it was also used in the Madzer 626... and it has a BAD track record... and it proves my other point above about the whole "built up" comment... this is where I read it.

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=8005 - Read post #7... that was the only thing Ford did to "beef up" the tranny... and it still dies.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/...c,50908.0.html - Read post #3... "craptastic CD4E tranny..."

So is that enough proof?

Wait... I'll give you my side of the story...

I owned a 2003 Ford Escape XLT. Blew through 4 of those ****ty CD4E trannies.

Now you know why I HATE Ford automatic transmissions.

But the F150 automatics, are starting to win my appeal in some regard... but I'm not totally convinced. But I'd rather take my chances in a F150 auto rather than any POS Escape junk SUV.

 

The escape is a nice vehicle I am about to buy one for my wife, however the current trans in it is pretty much trash. Now if you wait untill the 09's come out they will be getting a 6spd and new motors I believe that its a 2.5 I4 with something like 170hp 166TQ and the 3.0 v6 that is 230hp either engine will get better mpg than the one its replacing. Plus it will have the option of SINC and larger stabilizer bar for better handling. So the Escape now is a nice vehicle if you can't wait then I say go for it as long as it has warranty left but if you can then the new model will be fair superior.

 

yeah im not waitin. Im gettin this thing most likely, around summer to fall ill be lookin for trucks again, even if its a ranger, ill be back in a truck soon enough. Will probably have my eye one those 2 door silvys!