92 Explorer won't engage any gear

[Anduiril]

I bought a 92 Explorer with transmission problems as a project vehicle (something to spend time working on and learning about transmissions). Well my girl needs some temporary transportation so I bought a used transmission to put in it to get it going while I rebuild the original one (Glacier's Bulletproof or Brain's Frankentranny I'm not sure which yet). I know about engines but learning (as quickly as possible) about transmissions. This site has been a great help.

Here is my current problem: The transmission will not engage any gears. It acts like it is in neutral in all gears except Park (which works). I'm hoping there is something "relatively" easy and inexpensive (money is tight) that I can check/clean/replace without having to pull the transmission again.

I changed the filter (the old one wasn't clogged), no metal parts in the pan, and the old fluid was dark but didn't smell burnt.
The torque converter came out of the original transmission (not something I would do for a rebuild). The original wasn't going into OD because the connector for the 3-4 and TCC solenoids was literally burnt to a crisp (this was found during the swap).

I've read that the modulator valve and the low/reverse servo will cause delayed shifts but I haven't read it if either could cause no shift.

Any input is greatly appreciated (for this problem or the rebuild). Thanks in advance.

If this has been covered in another thread I'm sorry for duplicating (I may not have used the right search terms).

Edit: My girl is getting a car tonight, so now I just want to get this transmission running enough to be able to transport parts for the rebuild of the other transmission (it would be kinda awkward carrying a case or bellhousing on a Harley).

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Never reuse the old torque converter. Debris caught in the old torque converter will get pushed into the new transmission, and clog everything up. The old torque converter probably has worn internal parts anyway so it's not a good idea to reuse. Check the pressure in each gear with a 0 - 300 PSI test gauge to see if the pump gears are not broken (0 PSI).

 

[Anduiril]

Thanks for the quick reply. I noticed yesterday but I hate "typing" anything long on my phone.
When I do the rebuild I will be putting in a new (or reman) torque converter but this is just a temporary fix and there wasn't any debris in the old transmission's pan and it's problem appears to be electrical (I'm gonna try to check it out some more this weekend). Money is also I factor too, I didn't want to spend a lot on something that will be pulled out of the vehicle soon (mileage wise at least).

My brother is supposed to come over this weekend and give me a hand with this so I'll let you know what the results are about the pressure. Anything else that I can check while I have the extra set of hands and eyes?

 

[SMITTYWERBENJAEGERMANJENS]

Thanks for the quick reply. I noticed yesterday but I hate "typing" anything long on my phone.
When I do the rebuild I will be putting in a new (or reman) torque converter but this is just a temporary fix and there wasn't any debris in the old transmission's pan and it's problem appears to be electrical (I'm gonna try to check it out some more this weekend). Money is also I factor too, I didn't want to spend a lot on something that will be pulled out of the vehicle soon (mileage wise at least).

My brother is supposed to come over this weekend and give me a hand with this so I'll let you know what the results are about the pressure. Anything else that I can check while I have the extra set of hands and eyes?

Did you figure it out?

 

[410Fortune]

12 years ago!

 

[SMITTYWERBENJAEGERMANJENS]

Did you figure it out?

m

12 years ago!

i just did an engine change and I am having a similar issue now. The explorer only seems to go into park and neutral. I hear/see the engine go through the gears but I have no foward or reverse. I tried messing with the transfer case but I reused the torque converter because there was never anything wrong with the transmission til now. I don’t know what the issue could be.

The cable is good. Fluid is fresh and there was nothing wrong with the transmission prior to the change. I also put a new transmission filter prior to the engine change and didn’t see any shreds of anything.

What did you attribute the fix to 12 years ago?

 

[410Fortune]

This thread is 12 years old is all so not sure the op will respond w the fix

How is the trans fluid level? Have you run it through all gears and keep checking the level until it reads properly on the stick when warm and running in park?
A low fluid level would leave you with a auto trans that won’t engage gears


You said you tried messing eith the transfer case? Is the t case in neutral? Remove the shift motor and take a look at the position of the indicator. If the t case is in neutral then your driveshafts will never spin no matter what the transmission is doing

 

[BrooklynBay]

A 4 X 4 filter is deep since it uses a deep pan. The regular pan is not as deep, and it uses a matching filter. Never use that filter with a deep pan. It will not draw fluid since it's not deep enough. It will only suck air into the system which causes an engagement issue. Automatic transmissions are hydraulic even though they use computer controlled solenoids.

 

[SMITTYWERBENJAEGERMANJENS]

A 4 X 4 filter is deep since it uses a deep pan. The regular pan is not as deep, and it uses a matching filter. Never use that filter with a deep pan. It will not draw fluid since it's not deep enough. It will only suck air into the system which causes an engagement issue. Automatic transmissions are hydraulic even though they use computer controlled solenoids.

The filter I currently have on there has a spout that goes deeper into the oil pan.

 

[SMITTYWERBENJAEGERMANJENS]

The filter I currently have on there has a spout that goes deeper into the oil pan to suck up fluid.

This thread is 12 years old is all so not sure the op will respond w the fix

How is the trans fluid level? Have you run it through all gears and keep checking the level until it reads properly on the stick when warm and running in park?
A low fluid level would leave you with a auto trans that won’t engage gears


You said you tried messing eith the transfer case? Is the t case in neutral? Remove the shift motor and take a look at the position of the indicator. If the t case is in neutral then your driveshafts will never spin no matter what the transmission is doing

Yes. I put the transfer case into 4 high and wasn’t able to get anything to happen. I also tried 2 hi and nothing.

What is the likelyhood I did not seat the torque converter properly. So the pump is not rotating properly to pick up fluid?

I also pulled off the return line this week and there was no fluid output.

 

[wollimann]

What is the likelyhood I did not seat the torque converter properly.

If the torque converter is not seated properly you would have problems to get a flush contact with the trans bell housing and engine.
There would be a gap between transmission and engine, if you try to get both parts together with the transmission bolts
you disturb converter/pump.

I also pulled off the return line this week and there was no fluid output.

Return line of the transmission cooler? If i am not wrong there is a thermostat and a bypass valve (5) inside the valve body,
it should open when fluid is hot. With no temperature no fluid on the return line.

Is the t case in neutral? Remove the shift motor and take a look at the position of the indicator.

Did you do this?

The transmission has a pressure test port, hook up a gauge to see if there is any pressure.

some other diagnosting

 

[410Fortune]

When seating a converter on a a4ld it goes back 3 clicks. When a converter is fully seated and you then stab the bellhousing to the engine, with the converter studs lined up with the holes in the flexplate, the first converter nut should pull the converter forward and against the flexplate by about 1/4”

If you did not do this then chances are good you destroyed the front pump when you
Bolted things together