How To: End the ATX 1-2 Bang Shift!!!

[FastCougar]

I would like to thank Chris Hightower for bringing this possible (now proven) fix to my attention in this thread. To date, I believe that I am the only one to do this and report back to the community. It is VERY easy to do and takes all of 15 minutes.

Tools Needed:

1 8mm 1/4 socket & rachet
2 hammers or 1 hammer and 1 block of wood
1 set of lockable plyers
1 tire iron
1 small screw driver
1 jack
1 jack stand

Part Needed: 1S7Z-7M101-KA (Turbine Speed Sensor) - $15 at FordPartsOnline.com

Step 1) Pop the hood and disconnect the battery's negative cable.

Step 2) Loosen the lug nuts on the driver's side front tire, jack it up and support it safely.



Step 3) Remove the tire and locate the sensor just below the brake line holder on the fender well lip.



Step 4) Disconnect the sensor harness from the sensor.



Step 5) Remove the retaining bolt, then using a pair of locking plyers, pull the old sensor out. It works best to rotate the plyers while pulling directly out towards you.



Step 6) Install the new sensor:

a) Insert new sensor.


b) Using either a block of wood or another hammer handle, place the object flush on the back of the sensor, and then gently tap the object with a hammer to push the new sensor into the sensor hole.


c) Insert the new bolt and torque it snug (specific torque unknown).


Step 7) Reconnect the sensor harness.



Step 8) Remount the tire and snug the bolts.

Step 9) Lower the car.

Step 10) Reconnect the battery's negative cable.

My Review: This took literally 10-12 minutes ... VERY easy to do. After doing so, I took the car out for a 30 mile drive and aside from fixing the 1-2 "Bang" shift, it smoothed out all shifting. If my impression changes, I will report it here.

[01blkcat]

Trevor -- I want to do this, only question I have is why I have to bang the piece back in... from the pictures it looks like there is a piece of metal blocking the entrance hole - does that move back when you push the new sensor in?

[FastCougar]

Originally posted by: 01blkcat
Trevor -- I want to do this, only question I have is why I have to bang the piece back in... from the pictures it looks like there is a piece of metal blocking the entrance hole - does that move back when you push the new sensor in?

No, there is not an obstruction ... the picture is deceiving in that the depth is destorted. You have to tap the sensor into the hole because it is VERY snug and can not be inserted with hand pressure unless you are built like Arnold.

[caenus]

I looked briefly on FPO and couldn't find either part number listed. How much is the part at a Mercury or Ford dealership?

[FastCougar]

Originally posted by: caenus
I looked briefly on FPO and couldn't find either part number listed. How much is the part at a Mercury or Ford dealership?

$15 from Gary at Ford Parts Online ... that is the net price ... list is something like $25. Easy way to tell the difference is the new TSS is white plastic with a white plastic flange and the old one is black plastic with a metal flange. The old metal flange is thinner than the newer white platic one, so the old retaining bolt is shorter than the new bolt that comes with the sensor.

Old


New

[zybo2004]

Well, I see how easy this is...and I will try it, but if you don't mind me asking.........what does this do?

When you say "1-2 Bang shift" what do you mean by that....sorry I just dont' understand...

Z (jason)

[FastCougar]

You floor it from a stop and let off the gas just before the transmission shifts to second. The line pressure is VERY high and then "BAM", the car shifts into second violently. If you don't have this problem, don't waste your money. I have yet to see a CD4E that doesn't do it on the 99-00 Cougar ... newer Cougars may already have this fix from the factory. Easiest way to tell is to pull the driver's side tire off and look at the sensor's flange ... if it's white, you have nothing to worry about. If it's metal and thus probably rusted, you will benefit from this.

BTW, high line spikes is one cause of CD4E failure.

[caenus]

So is this new sensor a redesign or what exactly fixes the problem?

[FastCougar]

This sensor fixes the problem.

[Grendel]

I have an 01 and although I have not looked at the sensor yet, my car does this.

Thanks Trevor!