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The problem (s) that I have recently experienced are two-fold. The first relates to a problem that I had over the weekend. While cruising on a highway the transmission suddenly disengaged the overdrive mode (I was travelling at about 65 MPH or 120KM when it happened). What is strange is that the up-arrow light on the dash indicating that the OD has been disengaged did not go on (although it does light up when I press the button on the shifter, indicating it isn't a bulb failure). Even after slowing down to under 20MPH and speeding up again the OD would not engage.
This problem only occurred on that one day and the OD is now working perfecting fine. I regularly service the transmission by flushing the ATF about every two years (not myself, I take it to a shop). About two days before the problem started, I did take the car to a shop to have the tramsmission flushed. This time the shop used a machine that simutaneously drains while replacing with new fluid. I believe the system that was used is by a company called BG Products Inc. Prior to the ATF flush a cleaning solution/fluid was poured into the transmission, then the system was flushed using the machine (for lack of a better word). Given that I had never experienced a problem with the OD cutting out in the years that I have owned the car or for that matter any problems with the transmission, is it probable or improbable that perhaps the fluid flush method is responsible? Perhaps the cleaner used had lossened some dirt that remained in the tramsmission which may have interferred with the proper mechanical operation of the OD mode? Or is it more probable that it is
an electrical problem, however if it was, I am at a loss as to why the up-arrow did not go on indicating that the OD has been disengaged?
The other problem that I experienced, about 4 days after the tramsmission issue, is that the engine simply cut off, again while cruisng (although the transmission was working fine). The engine just stopped as if it was starved of fuel. Once I pulled off to the shoulder, it took about 6 or 7 times to restart the engine. Once stared it ran fine for about 3 minutes then the engine cut out again; and again it took about 5 tries before it started and it ran fine all the way home. I test drove the car latter in the evening and the problem never appeared again.
I did notice that the number 6 fuse located in the driver side area which I believe controls the electronic fuel injection and main fuel pump was very hot to the touch, therefore could it be that I have a short circuit somewhere? I cleaned all the contacts at the fuse terminal and replaced most of the fuses with new ones a few days ago. Also, judging by the description of what happened, could the problem relate to a bad fuel pump relay?
I would appreciate any suggestions/advice on these two problems. Thank you
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