Need help...Transmission "skipping"...Trying to get home.

[dreamco]

2001 Fleetwood Flair V-10
Transmission skipping / slipping / short shifting, overdrive button light blinking, service engine soon light on and I'm getting the following code:
P0720 - Output Shaft Speed Sensor
Here's a brief story behind this...About 5 years ago and 20k miles ago I was on my way out of town towing about 5k with me when suddenly the overdrive button light started blinking and the trans started slipping / short shifting..etc. I pulled over, shut off the coach, unplugged the two plugs on the drivers side of the trans (one toward the top and one lower) I blew them out, plugged them back in, started the coach and drove away...no blinking light, no erratic trans issues...nothing. Fast forward 5 years and 20k miles and the problem is back. I tried the same thing...removed the two plugs, blew them out, sprayed them with electrical contact cleaner, plugged them back in and the problem went away for 57 miles then came back. I've found some info that suggest bad grounds and or faulty PCM's and etc...I intend to investigate these issues....BUT..here's my problem; I'm away from home and need to travel about 400 miles...It seems the problem only occurs when pulling away from a stop and if I manually shift it the problem doesn't seem to be an issue. Do you think I'll be okay making this 400 mile trip, mostly highway miles? If it does 'act up' would I be okay to disconnect the battery to clear the code to get some mileage then repeat if necessary?

[dreamco]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I'm going to see if I can round up this output shaft speed sensor and hope that fixes my problem. My concern is that the problem may not be with the sensor itself but somewhere else within the circuit such as insufficient grounding, PCM etc. and I have had some wiring issues related to rodents over the years as well.
Crossing my fingers.

[randallb]

Either fix the problem or have someone fix the problem. A 400 mile trip with a slipping/stuttering transmission would be similar to a walk around the block with a broken leg. You might make it but the additional damage is going to increase the doctor's bill by a substantial amount.
Randy

[I_am_still_wayn]

Simple things first.
1. Replace the Output shaft speed sensor. That is what the code is telling you is wrong. Another poster stated it is an easy repair...unscrew one and screw in another.

[Raymon]

You did not mention whether or not you have ever had the transmission serviced. Ford requires the transmission fluid to be changed every 30,000 miles. If not, the transmission will "stutter" when climbing hills or towing. If your fluid has not been changed, I would start there because it should be changed and it just might correct your problem. If changing the fluid does not correct the problem, then you can do the things other posters have suggested.

Ray

[rockhillmanor]

On the Ford V-10 those symptoms mean one of 2 things especially when the OD button light comes on and the OD drops out. This is a common problem.

1. loose wire in the steering wheel.
2. Torque converter

I had this happen to my MH.

I pulled into Ford and they knew right away what it was it is a KNOWN problem. In my case I was not a winner.:( They opened up my steering column first and it was not the loose wire. I had to replace the torque converter.

IMHO I would find the first Ford Dealership you can find and pull in and have them decide which one it is. Ypou might just luck out and it's the loose wire in the steering column. Took them all of 10 minutes to get my steering wheel off and check where the known loose wire is.

When the OD first dropped out I kept driving. Trust me don't. I was doing 70 mph when it the OD dropped again and it felt like I had left the whole trans in the road. Then you are in total limp mode.

Good Luck.

[6dot6]

easy fix. stop into an autoparts store and see if they have one

[Executive45]

Wayne, the speed sensor is easy to replace...simply unscrew it and put the new one in. Check the wiring for burned or loose connections. Your question, making the 400 mile trip...depends on whether you family is with you or not. If I were by myself, sure, I'd chance it. Worry all the way, but I'd do it. If my family were aboard, dunno....depends on where I was I guess...my family's safety comes first and I would not want to be stuck in the middle of who knows where with them aboard...good luck and keep us posted....Dennis