Had a problem this week with my 06 tl. Driving on the highway at about 75mph when all of a sudden a heard a loud roaring sound. My rpms went up all the way to red area when trying to accelerate and the car would not go any faster. Next thing I know my VSA light and check engine light come on. I was able to pull over and open the hood as there was smoke coming out. Towed the car back home and checked ATF fluid and there is barely any left. Hooked up scanner and got code p0717 which is a input/turbine speed sensor. Filled up tranny with fluid and the car drives fine but wanted to leave light on in case I have to bring to shop. Car shifts perfect.ANy idea if this bad sensor caused the leak? Would anyone know where this sensor is located and if changing it would solve the problem I came across. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Wow, that sounds like my old '98 Ford Taurus before I got rid of it for my '01 TL. I had 2 issues with ATL leaks with it before I chunked it. Both times it did what you described. When I checked the hood the first time it happened, I discovered that the rubber ATF hose at the front had slipped off it's clamp & sprayed fluid all over the engine!
My God, that smell was foul!
I put back the hose in with a new clamp, put in more ATF & though not as smoothly as before, it ran fine again.

It was another 2 years before it happened again, this time the leak seemed to be coming from the back. It took a while for me to find, but apparently there was another tube in the back, made of metal, with a nut coupling joint. I could see red tranny fluid dripping from it. I'm thinking that there was a seal there that had crumbled, and I didn't put in enough fluid after the first mishap. I later learned too late that a Taurus engine needs more quarts of ATF than motor oil! Maybe you'll get an "AHA!" moment after reading this, in spite of the fact that I was describing a Ford vehicle (yes, I have repented from getting such a crappy car! LOL).

 

The sensor can leak, but it's doubtful. The sensor is a deep plug type that has a little o-ring on it. This is not your transmission, just an example:



This is not your sensor, but yours looks similar:




The sensor sits pretty high up on the transmission so leaking is highly doubtful. Check other areas for leaks.

 

Do you think this could also apply to other vehicles of similar issues?