1996 Ford explorer 5.0L AWD Trans Problem?

[fordguy54113]

i have a 96 w/5.0 AWD ... i haven't driven it in a couple of months because i have a broken sway bar link and a ball joint that needs to be replaced and with all of the snow that we got in Wisconsin i was unable to change these. anyway i got those parts changed and took it out for a drive and all of a sudden i don't have reverse or neutral anymore. park ,OD,2,1 all work fine and when i am in neutral the truck goes forward. when i put it in reverse it makes a slight motion backwards but wont move. i tried adjusting the shift level linkage and that didn't work.. it moves the shifter part on the tranny fine.. my question is this tranny junk or could it be fixed? if its junk could i put a tranny in from a 2000 mountaineer? the Haynes manual says that they have the same tranny 4R70W? that one only has 102k where mine has 190k..

 

[storlied]

Same tranny, yes. But this problem isn't often heard of about this tranny. Might want to re-check the linkage.. maybe have someone do it manually from under the truck?

 

[fordguy54113]

i did have some one under the truck and manually clicked it into gear and it did nothing different. we had it up on jackstands and the wheels wouldnt spin backwards in reverse

 

[fordguy54113]

could the thing that shifts on the transmission be bad?
i can get the other trans for like $150

 

[storlied]

I don't know trannys too well, all I know is the problems you're describing sound like you have a V6 Explorer. The V8 setup is near bulletproof, this is an odd problem. If swapping trannies is the cheaper and easier thing to do for you then I say go for it. That tranny may be bad, but in general these things will take major abuse with little complaining.

 

[fordguy54113]

should i take it to ford to have them diagnose it? idk how much that costs but i really dont know what to do

 

[storlied]

What are you crazy? Don't ever go to Ford for anything! They are known as the stealership for a reason... lol. Try checking around for a tranny shop instead if you don't wanna do a swap. This could possibly be a small issue but I'm no expert. Hows your fluid look? Did you drop the pan and find anything weird?

 

[Willcall]

Sounds like something is clogged. Gunk might have settled in an undersirable place
Do you get regular transmission fluid flushes and pan drops?

 

[Turdle]

2 things to check

Check the small gold colored torx head bolts holding the shifter to the steering column ring.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278174&highlight=bolt+floor

You might also check the transmission range sensor.

 

[Electrohacker]

something changed on the transmissions after 98. I was looking over at monster transmission for either a kit or a prebuilt hard core trans and they only have them fr 98+... so... maybe the controls are different?