Air Conditioning Causing Transmission Problems, 2005 Ford Mustang in Bowling Green, KY

Don't you just love air conditioning? I know I love driving through some back roads with the A/C on full blast taking in the views all inside the comfort of my vehicle. Our customers love doing this too, and now this customer can do it without thinking his transmission will fail! You see, this 2005 Ford Mustang was originally brought to us for some sporadic transmission problems. At the cars own volition it would lose overdrive (O/D) and the O/D light would start blinking. You could then let the car set for a few minutes off and turn it back on and all would be good to go. Very odd problem right, how in the world could this relate to air conditioning?

Well first one of our diagnosticians went for a test drive in the vehicle just the way the customer dropped it off. The customer had the A/C off at the time, and Ben Jr drove the vehicle for well over 30mins with no issues. He informed the customer that he didn't get it to do anything at the time but would try again the next day. The next day comes around and it is much warmer so Ben Jr turned on the A/C around 15 minutes into the test drive. Wouldn't you know it, about five minutes later the vehicle started acting as if it needed an exorcist. What did this mean?

Considering our builder (Dwight) has been in the business for over 20 years, he had a sneaking suspicion that the problem was with the solenoid body & the plug that connects to it. We lifted the vehicle to confirm the theory then low & behold the plug that connects to the solenoid block was corroded beyond repair. Dwight pointed out the A/C Evaporator on this vehicle, with this specific transmission, is located above the transmission itself. There is no drain tube attached naturally, and over time the water drips directly onto the solenoid block & plug, causing corrosion. The solution? We rerouted the A/C Evaporator to drain behind the transmission, then we replaced the plug & the solenoid block itself. The customers complaints went away! After completing the customers transmission repairs he can go down the back roads in Bowling Green, KY.

Service Date: 4/17/24

Mileage: 150,125

Location: Bowling Green, KY