Here is a little background. It is an 01 5.4L. Everything ran perfect. Trans is excellent with low miles on it. It was time for an engine. So I had my local Ford dealer install a reman engine. I asked to test drive it yesterday before paying almost $5K. Sounds reasonable right? They argue with me and say that the QC checked it out and it ran perfect. I final got them to agree to a test drive. Then they wouldn't let me drive it. The shop foreman let me drive and went with me. This is good. I put it in reverse and back up. Put it in drive and give it gas. It moves 5 feet and then the engine revs like it is in neutral. I try it again and it does it again. Then I go back to park and try drive again. It works now. I then drive about 100 feet and get ready to turn out from the dealership onto the highway. I got to pull out and it moves 10 feet and now just revs and won't move. I give it more gas and it still revs. Cars are about to hit me and I am asking the shop foreman what is wrong. It finally catches and I take it back to the dealership. They say they will check it out. If felt like it was popping out of gear but the shift selector didn't move. It stayed in drive. In the end they called me and said it was one quart low on tranny fluid. That doesn't sound right to me? It holds over 14 quarts of tranny fluid would 1 quart make it do this? What else could cause this? I don't want to pay and take it home just to have a new problem that wasn't there before. Is there a sensor that tells the tc when to stall when starting off from a stop?
The trans never had this problem before I dropped it off for the new engine. The trans shifted like new and was perfect. Thanks.

 

One quart low should not case that to happen!
That is usually an early sine of a tranny going out.
Make sure it's right before you pay for it!

Phil

 

Thanks. I appreciate it. I agree but this tranny only has 20K miles on it and shifted like butter before. So I know it isn't going out.

 

They probably failed to mention that the TEC, forgot to top off the tranny. I don't think 1 quart would do that, BUT, a few will.

I am sure they are not going to admit to their mistake, and, you may be in for a new tranny now from running it dry like that. Not your fault, but, their FLUB UP!

I am seeming to lean torward, that is why they didn't want you to test drive it in the first place.

IMO, the only reason anyone should go to the dealer, (AKA: STEALER) is if that paticular vehicle is under warranty! OORR, you have to get the parts from them. But, these parts can be bought online anyways. Like I said, this is IMO.

I hope they get it fixed for ya. Sorry to hear it. Good Luck man!

 

I really hate to hear stories like that man. What dealership did you take it to? I ask for anyone in your region that they may be alerted to shady businesses. I do agree KiethHatter in that the dealership is not necessarily the best place to service your vehicle unless it is under warranty or a foreign car. You can usually find a dependable mechanic local to you, especially in the case of domestic vehicles. Good for you though for sticking to your guns with the dealership.