dallasmef
Active Member
- Joined
- July 9, 2008
- Messages
- 51
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- City, State
- Dallas, TX
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1997 Explorer XLT
Several threads here point toward a faulty shift solenoid 2, but I wanted to explain the entire scenario to make sure I don't leave anything out.
Several weeks ago, my OD light started blinking. I tested the OD button on the gearshift and it worked fine. So, I just thought it was a fuse or something electrcical. I had no idea it was the same thing as a "Check" Transmission light. About 2 weeks later, the car started fine and about a mile into my drive, the transmission slipped and lost power and would not go into any other gears. I stopped turned it off and it worked fine. About a week later, I was driving about 100 miles and when I exited the highway and slowed down, the transmission flared again. I pulled over, turned it off/on and drove on home with 3 other flaring incidents.
Next morning, I started it up and it ran fine. I did some research and found some blogs that indicated transmission problems related to thermostat, so I decided to change my thermostat which had been stuck open and was not heating up the engine to normal operating temperature.
I noticed that my transmission fluid had been overfilled so I siphoned it out and added in 1 quart of Lucas oil fix to the proper level.
After the thermostat and Lucas Oil, the flaring seems to be worse.
Now, when it starts cold, it goes in gear just fine...with no blinking OD/Off light. It shifts normally into drive and up to the 3rd gear flare or if I come to a stop. Next, the OD light comes on and it will not go in any gears.
And, when I turn it off to reset the codes, it does not go in gear every time. But, if I let it sit for about 5 minutes, it shifts through 1st and 2nd gear just fine.
Today, I checked to see if it would hold power in fixed 2nd gear (not DRIVE). It winds up to 2,000 rpms and about 20 mph. After a few hundred yards, it flares whether or not I stop or slow down.
It won't drive far enough for me to limp it down to AutoZone to check the trouble codes.
Perhaps I can remove the solenoids and take them to have them tested.
Will the Ford dealership test the solenoids?
The various threads here point to the Shift Solenoids 2
I just wanted to make sure I mentioned all of the following:
thermostat replacement
the overfilled tranny fluid
the Lucas Oil addition ( 1 qt)
the turning off/on to get into gear
loss of power when Manually in gear 2 before the flare
Are all of these symptoms still consistent with shift solenoid 2 for the typical 2/3 flare?
What about electronic pressure control solenoid?
What about valve body gasket while I'm in there?
Several weeks ago, my OD light started blinking. I tested the OD button on the gearshift and it worked fine. So, I just thought it was a fuse or something electrcical. I had no idea it was the same thing as a "Check" Transmission light. About 2 weeks later, the car started fine and about a mile into my drive, the transmission slipped and lost power and would not go into any other gears. I stopped turned it off and it worked fine. About a week later, I was driving about 100 miles and when I exited the highway and slowed down, the transmission flared again. I pulled over, turned it off/on and drove on home with 3 other flaring incidents.
Next morning, I started it up and it ran fine. I did some research and found some blogs that indicated transmission problems related to thermostat, so I decided to change my thermostat which had been stuck open and was not heating up the engine to normal operating temperature.
I noticed that my transmission fluid had been overfilled so I siphoned it out and added in 1 quart of Lucas oil fix to the proper level.
After the thermostat and Lucas Oil, the flaring seems to be worse.
Now, when it starts cold, it goes in gear just fine...with no blinking OD/Off light. It shifts normally into drive and up to the 3rd gear flare or if I come to a stop. Next, the OD light comes on and it will not go in any gears.
And, when I turn it off to reset the codes, it does not go in gear every time. But, if I let it sit for about 5 minutes, it shifts through 1st and 2nd gear just fine.
Today, I checked to see if it would hold power in fixed 2nd gear (not DRIVE). It winds up to 2,000 rpms and about 20 mph. After a few hundred yards, it flares whether or not I stop or slow down.
It won't drive far enough for me to limp it down to AutoZone to check the trouble codes.
Perhaps I can remove the solenoids and take them to have them tested.
Will the Ford dealership test the solenoids?
The various threads here point to the Shift Solenoids 2
I just wanted to make sure I mentioned all of the following:
thermostat replacement
the overfilled tranny fluid
the Lucas Oil addition ( 1 qt)
the turning off/on to get into gear
loss of power when Manually in gear 2 before the flare
Are all of these symptoms still consistent with shift solenoid 2 for the typical 2/3 flare?
What about electronic pressure control solenoid?
What about valve body gasket while I'm in there?
