97 Explorer will not move below 10mph in Drive

[kartbrown]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer that will not move if I am below 10mph in drive. When it first happened I backed out of a parking space and shifted into drive. When I accelerated, the Explorer jumped a little, it sounded like something crunched or popped and then the engine just revved when I accelerated. I then shifted down into 2nd and it drove away. I drove home slowly in second.

I only work about 1.25 miles away from work so the next morning I slowly drove to work. Well, on the way home, I was driving in 2nd and I shifted into drive. To my surprise, it kept driving and shifted through the gears as I sped up. I thought this was a little relief because it does not seem to be as bad of a problem as I previously thought.

If I slow down or come to a stop, I must shift down into 1st or 2nd to get started and then once above 10mph, I can shift it back into drive and it will shift through the rest of the gears like normal.

Any thoughts as to what the problem may be?

Thanks!

 

[my98nnj]

Trans is dead.

 

[kartbrown]

If it is dead, then why would it still drive if I shift into a lower gear first?

 

[Joe Dirt]

You can have failing gears and packs that are only malfunctioning that way. "Dead" is a relative term. Doesn't mean the entire trans is dead...

 

[kartbrown]

Is there any way to repair it without replacing or rebuilding?

Someone local thought that it might be a shifting solenoid. Could this be the case?

Thanks!

 

[eXcali]

Is there any way to repair it without replacing or rebuilding?

Someone local thought that it might be a shifting solenoid. Could this be the case?

Thanks!

In most cases when the solenoid goes bad it just won't shift or it will have bad shift flares.. Try putting it into 1st gear on the shift column and see if it moves. If it engages and drives fine in 1st gear then maybe it is a malfunctioning solenoid. But chances are if it is indeed shifting fine past 1st that it's going to need a rebuild or replacement soon.

With your explaination of hearing a popping sound I'd say you blew that gear.

 

[RockyMtnHigh]

What does the fluid look like?

 

[kartbrown]

I don't know if it was a popping sound or if it was just kind of a crunch from it starting to jump like it was going to take off.

I can take off fine in 1st and 2nd with out a problem. Then once I get up above 10mph I can shift it into drive and keep going.

I would think that if I blew 1st gear, I would not be able to drive in 1st. That is why I am leaning towards the solenoid...I hope.

I will check the fluid tomorrow and post the details.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help.

Thanks!

 

[kartbrown]

Ok, so I checked the fluid and it looks and smells pretty good to me. It is a light reddish brown and smells like it did when it was new. It definitely does not smell burnt.

I purchased this Explorer in March 2008. When I purchased it, the person was selling it because the timing chain tensioners were broke. They could not afford having their mechanic replace them. I purchased it and replaced them with my father. If I remember correctly, we put in new tranny fluid at that time since we had pulled the engine. I can not remember for sure because my father did quite abit of the work while I was working.

This Explorer has been great for me. It has not been a money pit like many of the people have explained on here. I have replaced the tensioner, muffler, and the tires. I have a total of less than $3000 in this, with the purchase price.

One other thing I have noticed is that during the spring, fall, and summer, something in my front end suspension squeeks. When it is cold during the winter, it goes away. If anybody has any ideas on that it would be great as well.

So, since my tranny fluid does not look bad and I can drive in 1st & 2nd all the time and in Drive when over 10mph, I am not sure that the tranny is dead. BUT, I am not really experianced in this. If it is concluded that the tranny is dead, I will probably just continue to drive it like it is until it goes out completely. No point in wasting the little life that is left in it, right?

Thanks for all of your help so far!