99 Transmission trouble

[5starfamily]

Need some direction on this transmission problem with our 99 Eddie Bauer Explorer with a v-6 sohc. Out of the blue while driving home from the local Wal-Mart the o/d light was flashing and we barely made it home. We could pull over, shut down, restart and make it about 5-10 miles at a time before it gave up all together. Managed to get it home found leaky fluid underneath (lots of it!) and found burnt fluid when checking the fluid level. Changed fluid and filter and found very little to none slivers in pan. Ran it around the block, shifted fine, no o/d light but still leaking. What next? Just letting it sit for now not wanting to do any further damage without a second (or third or fourth...) opinion. Thanks!

 

[Abom]

I'm assuming something broke / blew and you're now leaking transmission fluid like crazy, hence why your tranny doesn't want to shift anymore. The burnt fluid that you did find on the dipstick is most likely due to there not being enough fluid in the pan (too low fluid level = remaining fluid gets hotter than it should = burnt).

Suggestion is a complete fluid and filter change, and find out where it's leaking from, and fix it.

Mind you, I'm certainly no expert in trannys, so I'm sure someone with more experience will add more if I'm missing something (which I'm sure I am).

 

[Wrench]

Can you tell us where the atf fluid is leaking from. If it is from the bellhousing area it could be the front seal.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The front seals are known to blow out on the A4LD. This is the 5R55E with the extra tube going into the vent on the rear of the transmission. The pump also has an O ring seal. The front seals don't start to blow out unless you are traveling at highway speeds, have high RPMs, and running a little hot. It sounds more like a hose blew.

 

[Glacier991]

I think you need to see where the leak is coming from. Bellhousing? vent tube? rear of tranny (2WD or 4WD?) or a trans line. Lotsa possibles here. Might need to clean tranny with degreaser and let it dry and then start the engine and run it in park to see if you turn up any leak points (chock the wheels before you ever get under a running vehicle!)