So my '98 Explorer with ~98000 miles and a slight 2-3 flare has gotten suddenly worse. About two weeks ago, after the truck sat for about 2 hours, it made a rather loud (and embarrassing) whine/squeal when shifted to R and refused to move. I put it in neutral for about 30 seconds or so and tried again--this time, the noise was there, but it at least wanted to move, albeit slowly. I put it in D and got the usual nice, firm shift. Tried R again and this time all went well.
I drove a short distance (say, 2 or 3 miles) and checked the fluid. The level was fine, fluid nice and red. It otherwise shifted fine in and out of reverse the rest of the day, which included about half a dozen stops. The 2-3 flare was still there, of course Next morning, the whine was back. Shifting to D before R seems to prevent (or fix) the whine with no reverse issue.
It was about due for a fluid and filter change anyway, so I had a dealer do a tranny flush. I was amazed when the reverse whine was replaced with a fast, firm, noticeable shift--for all of two days. Now this is where the real fun began. When the truck is cold from sitting overnight, I have to let it idle in D for about 30 seconds or so, or reverse refuses to engage. The 2-3 flare has gone from the usual 500-1000 RPM jump up to 4000 RPM under moderate load. And that reverse whine? The flare has it now, too, but just slightly noticeable. The good news: the reverse issue is minimal once the tranny is warm.
Out of sheer panic, I have quit driving the truck. Question is, could this still be related to the valve body TSB for the flare? I've read over many posts, but didn't see much mention of reverse being related. Is this something my dealer should be equipped to diagnose? Would a tranny shop be better? Please tell me all hope (or at least two grand!) isn't lost
BTW, the dealer that did the flush? The service manager denies ANY TSBs exist for Explorers and offered to do a diagnosis for $80--with the caveat that if they can't find the problem in an hour, they'll pronounce it dead and happily refer you to the sales department
I drove a short distance (say, 2 or 3 miles) and checked the fluid. The level was fine, fluid nice and red. It otherwise shifted fine in and out of reverse the rest of the day, which included about half a dozen stops. The 2-3 flare was still there, of course Next morning, the whine was back. Shifting to D before R seems to prevent (or fix) the whine with no reverse issue.
It was about due for a fluid and filter change anyway, so I had a dealer do a tranny flush. I was amazed when the reverse whine was replaced with a fast, firm, noticeable shift--for all of two days. Now this is where the real fun began. When the truck is cold from sitting overnight, I have to let it idle in D for about 30 seconds or so, or reverse refuses to engage. The 2-3 flare has gone from the usual 500-1000 RPM jump up to 4000 RPM under moderate load. And that reverse whine? The flare has it now, too, but just slightly noticeable. The good news: the reverse issue is minimal once the tranny is warm.
Out of sheer panic, I have quit driving the truck. Question is, could this still be related to the valve body TSB for the flare? I've read over many posts, but didn't see much mention of reverse being related. Is this something my dealer should be equipped to diagnose? Would a tranny shop be better? Please tell me all hope (or at least two grand!) isn't lost
BTW, the dealer that did the flush? The service manager denies ANY TSBs exist for Explorers and offered to do a diagnosis for $80--with the caveat that if they can't find the problem in an hour, they'll pronounce it dead and happily refer you to the sales department
