95 Explorer V6 4WD 1-2 Shift Flare and Part Found in Transmission Pan

*Eagle22* · 07-30-2012, 08:57 AM

I’m a new member of this great site. This is my first post.

My 95 Explorer 4.0 6-cylinder 4WD with 165K miles will not shift from 1st to 2nd without me backing off the accelerator until engine RPMs fall back to about 1200. I understand this is called a shift flare. After reading many posts regarding shift problem cures on this site, I proceeded as follows:

1. Pulled OBD-I codes. Only key on engine off (KOEO) code was 123 for throttle position sensor (TPS). Checked sensor resistance and voltage, resistance fine, but top end voltage was low, 4.7V vs. 5.0V per Haynes manual. Replaced TPS. Engine runs smoother, but 1-2 shift flare still there. No key on engine running codes.

2. Dropped the transmission pan. Fluid was red, did not look or smell burned. It had been 90K miles since fluid and filter were changed. See the image below of a part I found laying in the pan. I did not know what this part was or figure out how it could have come down from higher up in the tranny. No other bits and pieces in the pan, other than very fine stuff on the pan magnet. Since I was already in there, I pressed on.

4. Removed the 6-solenoid valve body. No gasket blowouts as described in other posts on shift flare problems. I did not take the whole valve body apart to clean out the bores and other things. Installed new gaskets, TransGo shift kit valve body parts and a new EPC solenoid purchased from Transtar. Made sure all balls and other parts were intact before closing the VB. Installed the VB, torqued body bolts to 80 in-lbs. Installed new filter and pan gasket, 7.5 qts Mercon V fluid. No change to the 1-2 flare.

5. Adjusted the intermediate band to 120 in-lb, then backed off two revolutions. The 1-2 flare is now different in that the shift now takes place at about 1500 RPMs instead of 1200, and I can now slightly feel the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. I did not adjust the overdrive band.

Does this picture show an apply strut for one of the bands? If so, is it possible for me to see where it came from by flashlight, mirror or borescope?

If it's not possible to see where this came from, is a rebuild in order?

Thanks in advance,
-Mike

JK080 · 07-30-2012, 09:59 AM

Yes that is a band strut for the band, most likely the intermediate band. These bands are known to break and would cause the strut to fall off. The intermediate band is your second gear, so if the band cant apply then you will not have second gear.

You will have to remove the trans and take it apart to replace the band.

07-30-2012, 08:57 AM	#1
Eagle22 Elite Explorer 1995 Explorer XLT 4WD Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	95 Explorer V6 4WD 1-2 Shift Flare and Part Found in Transmission Pan I’m a new member of this great site. This is my first post. My 95 Explorer 4.0 6-cylinder 4WD with 165K miles will not shift from 1st to 2nd without me backing off the accelerator until engine RPMs fall back to about 1200. I understand this is called a shift flare. After reading many posts regarding shift problem cures on this site, I proceeded as follows: 1. Pulled OBD-I codes. Only key on engine off (KOEO) code was 123 for throttle position sensor (TPS). Checked sensor resistance and voltage, resistance fine, but top end voltage was low, 4.7V vs. 5.0V per Haynes manual. Replaced TPS. Engine runs smoother, but 1-2 shift flare still there. No key on engine running codes. 2. Dropped the transmission pan. Fluid was red, did not look or smell burned. It had been 90K miles since fluid and filter were changed. See the image below of a part I found laying in the pan. I did not know what this part was or figure out how it could have come down from higher up in the tranny. No other bits and pieces in the pan, other than very fine stuff on the pan magnet. Since I was already in there, I pressed on. 4. Removed the 6-solenoid valve body. No gasket blowouts as described in other posts on shift flare problems. I did not take the whole valve body apart to clean out the bores and other things. Installed new gaskets, TransGo shift kit valve body parts and a new EPC solenoid purchased from Transtar. Made sure all balls and other parts were intact before closing the VB. Installed the VB, torqued body bolts to 80 in-lbs. Installed new filter and pan gasket, 7.5 qts Mercon V fluid. No change to the 1-2 flare. 5. Adjusted the intermediate band to 120 in-lb, then backed off two revolutions. The 1-2 flare is now different in that the shift now takes place at about 1500 RPMs instead of 1200, and I can now slightly feel the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts. I did not adjust the overdrive band. Does this picture show an apply strut for one of the bands? If so, is it possible for me to see where it came from by flashlight, mirror or borescope? If it's not possible to see where this came from, is a rebuild in order? Thanks in advance, -Mike

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07-30-2012, 09:59 AM	#2
JK080 Wannabe Elite Explorer North Ga Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 115 Vehicle Specs	Yes that is a band strut for the band, most likely the intermediate band. These bands are known to break and would cause the strut to fall off. The intermediate band is your second gear, so if the band cant apply then you will not have second gear. You will have to remove the trans and take it apart to replace the band.