A4LD OD only when cold

[Cawthon88]

A4LD OD only when cold. HELP!

Hi, i'm new here. My name is Jeff and I have searched all over this site and the internet trying to find out what is wrong with the OD in my A4LD. Fluid level is fine, added some lucas also and no help. I can fix the problem myself but i need to know what it is before i do anything. I also think i need to get rid of the Cat Converters being as they're right next to the tranny causing a heat issue. It's weird, the OD works untill the tranny comes up to operating temp, like in about a mile it fades in and out and then it is like there's no OD at all...Looking at what i have read on this site which is the best Ranger / Explorer site on the net. It looks like it might be either the servo or a solinoid but i'm just not sure..I drive a long way everyday and it worries me because without OD the 2.9 is running at around 3000 - 3500 RPM'S on the interstate not to mention the fuel milage sucks. Oh the speedo works fine but there is no cruise control. Any help would be greatly appreciated as i cannot afford to take this thing to the tranny shop..Anyway, Thanks in advance for any info you guys can provide. Is it possible that the abs module on the rearend could cause this? the light is on.

 

[Glacier991]

Is your heat shield in place, or missing ?

 

[Cawthon88]

Thanks for the reply..The heat shield is in place and is in good shape..Just seems like as hot as the cats get it would be better to remove them?????

 

[Glacier991]

First off, I should have said welcome before... but welcome to the site. No do not remove the cats.... they serve a valuable purpose and you will be better off with them. You are right, they do play havoc with the servos, but that's why the heat shield is there.

I am out of town as I write this, but will be home tomorrow and have more time to devote to this interesting problem. I hope you can wait.

 

[sparky1973]

this is a different topic and hopeing glacier can help in some way. i posted this on the new member form and didnt get any help. glacier you sound like you know what your talking about. heres my probly i have a 97 exsploder. truoble with front wheel drive. ive checked all the fuses that have anything to do with the 4x4.nothing there with know weight on the wheels the front pulls good but when i put the front end on the ground ithardlypullsall. it does this in all modes. dont know if it could be a fluid problem. or maybe a voltage problem, or are the clutches just gone in the transfer. hope not. also was wandering if someone may have done the brown wire thing in the past i havnt found a switch though. any help would be great. thanks Jeff

 

[Cawthon88]

Thanks Glacier, I hope to be able to spend some time on this site and learn as well as maybe help a few others with issues i might know something about...Yes i can wait and i do really appreciate your time and knowledge...

 

[Cawthon88]

Today there is no OD at all, usually it will work for a mile or so and fade in and out then it's just like being in 3rd gear. Not sure what it is but i need to get it fixed

 

[Glacier991]

I'd guess we are looking at several possibilities here. In the "easy to fix" category, you could have a plugged 3-4 shift solenoid. Next you could have a leaky OD servo, and finally you could have a glazed drum or frictions or band.

The OD servo is the front most one. I'd also suggest you adjust the front band. You loosen the locknut, tighten the adjusting bolt to 10 ft lbs and then back it off TWO turns, and then lock down the locknut. Although it is best to replace the locknuts since they have a built in rubber seal in them, you can reuse the old one and see if it leaks afterwrds - you may get lucky.

 

[Cawthon88]

Thank you. That's the info i was looking for...Will get on it this weekend and will let ya know how it turns out...I'm hoping my boss will let me do it at work as we have all the equipment to do what i need to do and get it done fast..Thanks again for you're help.

Jeff.

 

[railman]

sorry to high-jack this thread, but i have a similar problem....

i had my computer codes checked ( since the check engine light came on when the OD quit working ) and it said the OD selenoid was stuck/in-operative

how hard is it to replace the selenoid, or is it pretty much R/R ?

thanx in advance, John

 

[Glacier991]

Pretty simple actually. Go read the 5R55E valve body rebuild diary in the sticky threads abovve. If you are high mileage you may want to also repalce the EPC solenoid as a precautionary measure.

 

[Cawthon88]

Well...I replaced the od servo, put a kit in the valve body, adjusted the bands and replaced the solinoid..No Help..it still has the same problem. I figure it's an internal problem not sure if i'll even fix it because the truck isn't worth putting any more money in...May just sell it.

 

[Glacier991]

Ok, you have done everything that would be required if the problem was indeed in the servo, the band or the vb and solenoid. (We know the band isn't broken if you could adjust it)... time to look at outside the trannie causes.

Have you checked for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes? Notice any other odd problems?

Let me give you a run down of sensors that can affect the 3-4 shift (which is what I am assuming you mean when you say no OD).

The electronic ignition system. This consists of a crankshaft position sensor, and EI modukle, coil packs and the computer. The computer uses the RPM signal (Profile Igntition Pulse or PIP) for 3-4 shift strategy. Synptoms? No 3-4 or 4-3 shifts.

Throttle Position Sensor. This is used in determining 3-4 shift schduling and TCC application. Low on my list in your case unless you also have odd idle problems.

Vehicle Speed Sensor. This sends a signal to the computer to help it determine vehicle speed. Speed is used to determine 3-4 shift timing. A Bad VSS can show up as no 3-4 shift. Later models used the Programmable Speedometer/Odometer Module. Did pretty much the same thing using the VSS. Same problems.

At this point I just cannot imagine the lack of OD band application (which is what you have) is due to a mechanical or hydraulic problem... you have covered the bases well. This is one where the transmission tester would be worth its weight in gold.

 

[Cawthon88]

Yeah, I found out my bro inlaw has a buddy that works at a tranny shop.. I'm gonna take it over there and see if he can pull any codes..I hope i can get this resolved otherwise i will park it in the garage till spring and change everything in it ..LOL..put a 5.0 in it..Thats what i want to do but the wife...you know, thats another story..Anyway i'll let ya know what i find out..Thanks again.