Ford Explorer: Transmision problem

You're problem sounds vaguely like a torque convertor drainback valve
concern... I say vaguely since I am assuming that the problem occurs only
because you back out of your driveway after about a 12 hour "cold soak" and
you haven't tried to reproduce it in a forward gear position. Check the
fluid level in the trans before you start it in the AM..... note the level
on the dipstick..... start the motor and recheck the fluid level after 2 or
3 minutes of idling..... note the level on the dipstick. If the dipstick
shows overfull on the first check and normal on the second, the convertor is
draining back into the pan.... likely some crap caught in the valve.

Since the transmission has 200,000 miles on it, if it were mine, I would
likely shy away from a stop gap repair. With this kind of mileage, the
transmission has served you well and there are (more than likely) other
issues that could raise their ugly heads during the repair process.

HTH.

Jim Warman
net

"Kevin" <com> wrote in message
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"Jim Warman" <net> wrote in message
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Jim
Is the anti-drainback valve a Ford only item? I'm not familiar with this in
my experience (GM's mostly, I'm afraid).
Dave
 

Dave, all automatic transmissions are equipped with some sort of torque
convertor anti drainback feature. The fluid level in the torque convertor is
much higher tha the fluid level in the pan.... without some sort of control,
the fluid level in the convertor and the fluid level in the transmission.
would equalize. Since the convertor is a fluid coupling in the purest sense
of the word, no fluid means no drive - at least until the convertor fills
again.

Jim Warman
net


"Dave Brower" <com> wrote in message
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Jim Warman wrote: 

Jim,
That sounds about right. The truck is parked on an incline in our
driveway. At work it's parked level but the result is the same. I've
never noticed a delay when the trans is put into drive after a cold soak.
I'll run the dipstick test today and see what I get. Even with the high
mileage I've taken good care of it and it runs and drives great so if
there's a problem as you describe I'll look into replacing the trans.

One other little thing. Is the steering gear box in these things
adjustable like they were years ago? I have all new parts in the front
end, ball joints, links, etc... Do I unlock the socket head screw on the
top of the gear box and turn it in until snug?

Thanks again




--
Kevin.
1981 Shovelhead
Customizing it again www.rileyhome.net/bike
A place for Shovel riders www.shovelhead.us Go to the forum

Jim,
Fluid level is fine and it when I put it into drive after 12 hours (last
night at 28deg) it goes into gear with no delay.
Still delays with reverse.
I'm warming the truck up to see what happens.

--
Kevin.
1981 Shovelhead
Customizing it again www.rileyhome.net/bike
A place for Shovel riders www.shovelhead.us Go to the forum

This puzzles me immensely... my tranny dipstick *always* reads much higher
than normal... in every automatic I've ever owned! I have a 94 XLT; the
stick always reads much higher than normal, until you start it. In fact,
the owner's manual for the 94 explorer says you have to check the tranny
*after* running to warm it up. Doesn't the dipstick read incorrectly before
that?

I'm very confused by your answer. You seem to suggest that the tranny
dipstick should read at the normal level before starting the engine...?


"Jim Warman" <net> wrote in message
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I had the same problem develop about 3 months after I bought a new 1999
Explorer. Cold start when you first put it into reverse, the
transmission would slip, engine rev up o 3,000-4,000 RPM but the car
would crawl slowly back. Putting the trans into forward, there was no
problem and it would solve the reverse problem. The dealer finally
replaced the trans after several trips back to the dealer (No trouble
found each time. But it was a reproducible problem) and that solved the
problem.

Jim Warman wrote:
 
[snip]
 
[snip]

Still no comment? I'm still very puzzled by your response, Jim...

"Robert A. Matern" <MEuninetsNO.SPAM.net> wrote in message
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convertor