Newbie Needin Some Guidance

[wrecker03]

Just picked up a 2003 Explorer XLT on Sunday. All seemed fine when we test drove it. My wife has been driving it and she said the twice while sitting at idle at a light it seemed like it shifted out of gear. Yesterday I was driving it and sitting at a light and it felt like it shifted and then stalled. Started back up and seemed to drive fine, other than kind of a whining noise. Stopped somewhere, came back out started up and noise was gone. My first instinct was to check the trans fluid, please don't laugh but I could not find the dipstick for the trans anywhere! I know I'm probably just overlooking it but could someone tell me where to find it and perhaps offer some insight on what might be going on?

I saw a local trans shop offering a filter and fluid change and band adjustment for $125.....yes or no?

The original owner didn't have the owners manual so I have no idea what service should be done, what fluids to use, at what intervals. My plan is to find a manual but in the meantime a little help is appreciated. If you can tell me the trans I have that will help me out in the future also.

Also, when I take off it isn't "instant" lets say. Kind of a delay. The RPM's need to be up to almost 2500 before it seems like it starts rolling. Might just be me it's been a long time since I've had a used car and maybe my expectations are a little high and I'm being paranoid.

BTW - 2003 Explorer XLT, V8, 4x4, 125,000. According to previous owner, it has not had any engine or transmission work in the past. Claims regular service. Only major repair work has been the wheel bearings. No modifications that I'm aware of.

[jrford]

first off welcome,
you got 125k out of yours? thats really good for these trans, since mine only lasted 50k, i hate to say it but it sounds like impending doom. . .a fluid filter change might help (i really doubt it) for a while but with those miles a rebuild is in your future.

Good news after i got mine rebuilt by a very good local trans guy, the Ex rocks, better than new. Part of the rebuild is to 'fix' the main problem with these transmissions, which are the steel servo pistons grinding down the aluminum bores. The servo's are what locks in the clutch for a particular gear when they start leaking the trans will slip in gear till the pressure builds up enough to engage the clutch.

for a little back ground if you search on servo bores, 5r55w/s (yours should be a 'w') you will find some interesting posts.