Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
SYS.OK|MANUAL.DBβ LIVE
HOMESERVICE MANUALSMERCURY1999SABLE V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISPOWERTRAIN MANAGEMENTCOMPUTERS AND CONTROL SYSTEMSTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINSCUSTOMER INTERESTA/T - TCC NOT ENGAGING, DTCS P0741 OR P1744
1999 Mercury Sable V6-3.0L DOHC VIN S
A/T - TCC Not Engaging, DTCs P0741 or P1744
1999 Mercury Sable V6-3.0L DOHC VIN SSECTION A/T - TCC Not Engaging, DTCs P0741 or P1744
Article No.
03-12-3
12/01/03
TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT
ENGAGING AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
(DTC) P0741 OR P1744
FORD: 1996-2003 TAURUS, WINDSTAR
LINCOLN: 1996-2002 CONTINENTAL
MERCURY: 1996-2003 SABLE
Article 98-6-5 is being republished in its entirety to update the model years and to identify additional contributors to the DTC's being set
ISSUE
Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P0741 or P1744 stored in memory.
ACTION
Use a scan tool (NGS/WDS) to monitor PID's to help determine steps to take for service. Refer to the following Diagnostic Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The torque converter clutch may not engage if one or more of the following conditions exist:
^ Stuck converter regulator valve
^ Stuck solenoid regulator valve
^ Stuck bypass clutch control valve
^ Stuck pressure fail-safe valve
^ Pump bore ring groove depth incorrect
^ Worn pump shaft or damaged pump shaft seals
^ Pump shaft internal sleeve loose (rattles)
^ Turbine shaft seals damaged or missing
^ Incorrect Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid
^ TCC solenoid mechanically stuck or electrically mop
^ Damaged internal wiring harness
^ Incorrect gear ratio (wrong sprockets)
^ Damaged or worn stator support
^ Worn torque converter hub bushing
^ Torque converter clutch worn or damaged
Use a scan tool (NGS/WDS) to monitor the following PID's:
^ TCC = Commanded duty cycle for TCC solenoid
^ TCCMACT = Actual slip across the TCC, measured in RPM
^ RPM = Actual engine speed
^ TSS_SRC = Actual turbine shaft speed
^ TCCRAT = Speed/Gear ratio of torque converter/transaxle
NOTE
IF "TCCRAT" PID DATA IS INCORRECT, THE INCORRECT TRANSAXLE OR DRIVE & DRIVEN SPROCKETS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.

1. For DTC P0741 and P1744, perform Pinpoint test "C" in Section 307-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable, Windstar or Continental Workshop Manual and refer to TCC Solenoid Resistance Chart (Figure 1) for correct TCC resistance.
2. Also refer to "Diagnosis by Symptom" Routines 240 and 340 in Section 307-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable, Windstar or Continental Workshop Manual.
3. Remove lower pan of the transaxle and check for excessive debris in the pan.
4. Remove the main control cover, main control and pump shaft.
5. Check for pump shaft wear or damaged seals.
6. Inspect the internal wiring harness for damage.


7. Inspect and clean the main control and make sure all valves move freely. Specifically, converter regulator valve, solenoid regulator valve, bypass clutch control valve or pressure fail-safe valve (refer to Figure 2 for Ax4N and Figure 3 for Ax4S).

8. Measure depth of groove in the pump bore ring (Figure 4).

9. If cause for condition has not yet been identified, remove the transaxle and inspect the outer surface of the stator support for damage (Figure 5).
10. Inspect torque converter hub bushing for wear.
11. Inspect turbine shaft seals.
12. To verify the condition has been corrected, the drive cycle must be performed at least five (5) times (for drive cycle procedure refer to the appropriate Workshop Manual Section 307-01). The PCM will not set a torque converter clutch code until it fails to engage five (5) consecutive times.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 97-13-12, 97-23-7
SUPERSEDES: 98-6-5
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 501000, 502000, 503000, 503300, 504000

Disclaimer
03-12-3
12/01/03
TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT
ENGAGING AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
(DTC) P0741 OR P1744
FORD: 1996-2003 TAURUS, WINDSTAR
LINCOLN: 1996-2002 CONTINENTAL
MERCURY: 1996-2003 SABLE
Article 98-6-5 is being republished in its entirety to update the model years and to identify additional contributors to the DTC's being set
ISSUE
Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P0741 or P1744 stored in memory.
ACTION
Use a scan tool (NGS/WDS) to monitor PID's to help determine steps to take for service. Refer to the following Diagnostic Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The torque converter clutch may not engage if one or more of the following conditions exist:
^ Stuck converter regulator valve
^ Stuck solenoid regulator valve
^ Stuck bypass clutch control valve
^ Stuck pressure fail-safe valve
^ Pump bore ring groove depth incorrect
^ Worn pump shaft or damaged pump shaft seals
^ Pump shaft internal sleeve loose (rattles)
^ Turbine shaft seals damaged or missing
^ Incorrect Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid
^ TCC solenoid mechanically stuck or electrically mop
^ Damaged internal wiring harness
^ Incorrect gear ratio (wrong sprockets)
^ Damaged or worn stator support
^ Worn torque converter hub bushing
^ Torque converter clutch worn or damaged
Use a scan tool (NGS/WDS) to monitor the following PID's:
^ TCC = Commanded duty cycle for TCC solenoid
^ TCCMACT = Actual slip across the TCC, measured in RPM
^ RPM = Actual engine speed
^ TSS_SRC = Actual turbine shaft speed
^ TCCRAT = Speed/Gear ratio of torque converter/transaxle
NOTE
IF "TCCRAT" PID DATA IS INCORRECT, THE INCORRECT TRANSAXLE OR DRIVE & DRIVEN SPROCKETS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.
1. For DTC P0741 and P1744, perform Pinpoint test "C" in Section 307-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable, Windstar or Continental Workshop Manual and refer to TCC Solenoid Resistance Chart (Figure 1) for correct TCC resistance.
2. Also refer to "Diagnosis by Symptom" Routines 240 and 340 in Section 307-01 of the appropriate Taurus/Sable, Windstar or Continental Workshop Manual.
3. Remove lower pan of the transaxle and check for excessive debris in the pan.
4. Remove the main control cover, main control and pump shaft.
5. Check for pump shaft wear or damaged seals.
6. Inspect the internal wiring harness for damage.
7. Inspect and clean the main control and make sure all valves move freely. Specifically, converter regulator valve, solenoid regulator valve, bypass clutch control valve or pressure fail-safe valve (refer to Figure 2 for Ax4N and Figure 3 for Ax4S).
8. Measure depth of groove in the pump bore ring (Figure 4).
9. If cause for condition has not yet been identified, remove the transaxle and inspect the outer surface of the stator support for damage (Figure 5).
10. Inspect torque converter hub bushing for wear.
11. Inspect turbine shaft seals.
12. To verify the condition has been corrected, the drive cycle must be performed at least five (5) times (for drive cycle procedure refer to the appropriate Workshop Manual Section 307-01). The PCM will not set a torque converter clutch code until it fails to engage five (5) consecutive times.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 97-13-12, 97-23-7
SUPERSEDES: 98-6-5
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 501000, 502000, 503000, 503300, 504000
Disclaimer
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.