1997 Exp V8 AWD shifting prob's

[bud4ya]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer AWD, Auto with over drive, V8. The problem that just started happening is when I start off from a stop the RPM’s will go up to 3,200 RPMs before it shifts. Note this is under light acceleration. Typical when I step on it normal it goes up to about 2K RPMs and then shift and the RPM’s go down to 1.5K.

Last time I brought it to the mechanic and left it they called back and said it was not doing what I said. I picked it up and it ran fine for weeks until now.

Do you think it is the tranny, vacuum line for tranny or is there a speed module or something that needs to be replaced? I am far from a mechanic so these are just guesses.

I tried searching to see if other have had this prob and the fix and cannot find anything.

Any suggestion would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[bud4ya]

I found a couple posts sounds like it could be a lot of things

 

[Turdle]

Do you see a "check engine" light displayed, or see the "od off" light flashing?

 

[bud4ya]

Neither

Do you see a "check engine" light displayed, or see the "od off" light flashing?

 

[Turdle]

I would have the system flushed--
then, drop the pan and have a new filter installed ( in that order)--It may help.

 

[bud4ya]

It was changed about 10K miles ago. Not sure if it was flushed though. It has 120K on it and the tranny fluid has been changed 3-4 times.

Just got in and drove it and it is back to normal. It will be right for a while and then stick in 1st gear when taking off. It upshifts just fine it is just around 3K RPM's when it does so.

I would have the system flushed--
then, drop the pan and have a new filter installed ( in that order)--It may help.

 

[Lizard]

It was changed about 10K miles ago. Not sure if it was flushed though. It has 120K on it and the tranny fluid has been changed 3-4 times.

Just got in and drove it and it is back to normal. It will be right for a while and then stick in 1st gear when taking off. It upshifts just fine it is just around 3K RPM's when it does so.

I had a jeep that did the same thing. Turned out to be several quarts low on fluid. You have to check the fluid when the engine is warmed up and running, and <important> in neutral. Don't forget to chock the wheels when doing this.. I had originally checked the fluid level while in 'park'
and it was fine. Then I read somewhere that it should be checked with the tranny in 'neutral', and it didn't even show up on the dipstick

 

[bud4ya]

I will check it in N. I checked it when it was in park only and it was full. I just wonder if it was the fluid why would it do it and then stop for days or weeks?

I had a jeep that did the same thing. Turned out to be several quarts low on fluid. You have to check the fluid when the engine is warmed up and running, and <important> in neutral. Don't forget to chock the wheels when doing this.. I had originally checked the fluid level while in 'park'
and it was fine. Then I read somewhere that it should be checked with the tranny in 'neutral', and it didn't even show up on the dipstick

 

[Lizard]

It was pretty intermittent. Maybe driving on different terrain (hills) may cause it to suck air at times???

 

[bud4ya]

That makes sense because it only does it once in a while. Do I have to drive it or just let it sit and warm up and then check it?

Thanks

It was pretty intermittent. Maybe driving on different terrain (hills) may cause it to suck air at times???

 

[Lizard]

That makes sense because it only does it once in a while. Do I have to drive it or just let it sit and warm up and then check it?

Thanks

I drive it for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warmed up to "operating temperature," ie; at least until the thermostat has opened up. Make sure you're on level ground, engine running, and in neutral.

 

[bud4ya]

I will check i it in an hour or so and let you know the outcome

Thanks

I drive it for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warmed up to "operating temperature," ie; at least until the thermostat has opened up. Make sure you're on level ground, engine running, and in neutral.

 

[bud4ya]

Let it warm up 5 mins and then drove it for about 5 mins. I put it in N and checked the fluid and it is full. I was hoping that was the issue but it does not look like it.

I drive it for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warmed up to "operating temperature," ie; at least until the thermostat has opened up. Make sure you're on level ground, engine running, and in neutral.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Could it be a 1-2 shift solenoid?

 

[bud4ya]

Wish I knew. I am hoping someone here had the same issue and see what their fix was.

It shifts fine it just shifts at like 3K under normal to light acceleration. The rpm's go up that high when I really step on it but should not when I lightly step on it.

It is starting to make me crazy. Sometimes it will do it for a whole day and then not for weeks.

Could it be a 1-2 shift solenoid?

 

[DR98]

Hello,

My Ex has the same late shift problem, also a higher idle speed around 1,000 rpms instead of a steady 600 rpm's. Under light throttle shifts occur from 3,000 - 3,500 rpms. Normal operation was 2,000 - 2,500 rpms. 98 Ex sport 4.0 SOHC, 5R55E trans with 55,000 miles on it.

It first happened, after I had my A/C compressor replaced at 54,000 miles. It would come and go randomly. I did find my MAF harness wasn't plug-ged in tight. It didn't make a difference after I plugged it in. I had the A/C shop check over what they did and everything was okay.

I had my trans flushed at 30,000 miles. I believe that the shop didn't use Merc V. I tried the lubeguard green bottle additive. It was shifting normal for a while. Something is sticking.

So I had my trans filter and fluid changed with Mercon V, put in.
Problem still occured randomly.

Another thing that would occur is on start up, it would rev to 3,000 rpms instead of 2,000 rpms.

I have no other transmission problems typical of the 5R55E yet. Around town driving is actually better with the late shifts.

Currently, it has stayed in the late shift mode since Late December.

Never has popped a code.

Dean