Removal (Villager)

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 26 other vehicles, including the 2001 Mercury Villager, 2001 Mercury Mountaineer, 2001 Ford RV Cutaway, 2001 Ford Pickup, and 2001 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: When removing transaxle, first remove heat shield and disconnect crankshaft position sensor electrical connector and remove sensor. Do not damage edge of sensor.

Disconnect battery. Remove battery and battery tray. Remove air cleaner and resonator. Disconnect Transmission Range (TR) sensor electrical connector. Disconnect 2 electrical connectors mounted on electrical connector mounting brackets. Remove electrical connector mounting brackets.

NOTE: Prior to raising vehicle, install engine support device or use appropriate jack to support engine when lowering transaxle from vehicle.

Disconnect Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS). Remove front heated oxygen sensor. Remove exhaust manifolds. Remove oil filler tube. Remove upper transaxle mounting bolts. Raise and support vehicle. Remove left inner splash shield. Remove axle shafts. See appropriate FWD AXLE SHAFTS article in DRIVE AXLES.
Drain transaxle fluid. Remove engine splash shield. Disconnect transaxle cooler lines and gearshift cable at transaxle. Remove starter. Remove transaxle ground strap. Loosen 4 engine/transaxle brace bolts. Remove exhaust pipe bracket. Remove lower rear transaxle-to-engine bolts. Remove torque converter inspection cover. Place reference marks on torque converter and drive plate for reassembly reference. Remove torque converter-to-drive plate bolts.
Support transaxle with transmission jack. Remove left and right side transaxle-to-engine bolts. Remove transaxle support insulator nuts. Remove transaxle support insulator. Disconnect breather tube. Remove remaining transaxle-to-engine bolts, if not already removed. Remove front and rear transaxle mounts. Remove transaxle from vehicle.