A4LD Odd Problem...Please Help!

[SportlineXLT]

Hey guys,
I have a 1994 XLT 4x4 Auto (Auto Hubs if that matters)....anyway...The transmssion is fine in all gears, shifts as it should (although sometimes a little soft when light on the gas)...no hesitation...etc....basically works normally. I have been noticing that when I am on hills and stopped, if I let off the brake, the truck will roll backwards (while in drive). Can it be low fluid pressure ( level was checked last week and is fine, will check again tommorow) or something more serious? I did a search and could not find anything on this particular subject. Please let me know...thanks!!!


BTW: Truck has 130k....I don't know when the fluid was last changed, but the level has stayed fine (topped it off with 1/4 of a quart a few weeks ago). Thanks in advance!

 

[SportlineXLT]

Could this have anything to do with my idle? Now that I'm thinking about it, my truck when warmed up idles at the first mark on the tach (500 rpms?)..and is very solid and only comes up a hair when taken out of gear. Could this be the reason why its doing this (is the idle even too low?) I plan on replacing the IAC anyway soon ...Please help me out...I'm new to Fords...I've been a German car guy for years. Thanks again!

 

[Con Seann3ry]

I don't see any problem. If it's idling fine at that RPM then that is fine. Also, if you're on a hill it will roll backwards, mine does that too depending on how steep the hill is. I wouldn't worry about any of this. Why are you replacing the IAC?

 

[SportlineXLT]

Actually I'm replacing the IAC because every time i start the truck (wether warm or cold) it revs to 1100 and stays there for about 10 -15 seconds before dropping down to the norm...and sometimes after driving, taking it out of gear the truck will rev, then go back down... symptoms of a bad IAC....thats why I'll be replacing it shortly...also I think it's malfunctioning because Im pinging on load...im gunna check the lower intake mani gasket also.

 

[Con Seann3ry]

You probalby don't need to replace it, just clean a bunch of that carbon buildup inside of it with Gumount Carb and Choke cleaner, you should also hit your MAF when you do this

 

[Brain]

As far as the tranny goes, Con Seann3ry is right....it is normal to roll backwards in gear depending on how steep the hill is. The thing about automatic trannys is that the torque converter acts like a clutch that you can't directly control. In a standard, if you have the clutch in and are on a hill without the brakes applied you will roll. Same thing here. You can even roll forward while in reverse if you are trying to back up a steep enough hill (done that). Just make sure you are giving enough gas before you let off the brake pedal.

500 RPM is a bit low, but nothing to worry about unless it stalls when you are parked or put it into gear.

If you clean the MAF, be careful...there are two sets of small wires after you pull out the actual sensor. There are lots of good writeups here on cleaning the MAF and the IAC.

 

[SportlineXLT]

Thanks alot! I really appriciate it guys. The truck (well when settled after start) idles at the first mark on the tach...not sure what that is but Im guessing about 500RPM....but it is solid and does not bog or jump or attempt to stall. I think the ICV is on its way out though because like I said above, when i start it warm or cold it idles about 1100 rpm, then will drop back down to a hair above the first mark, then when put in gear it goes down right on that mark and stays there, and usually when taken out of gear (after driving) doesnt move, but sometimes outta gear the idle jumps, stays for a sec or 2, then comes back down. I dunno, I guess I'll just replace it tommorow while Im doing my second gen full center console and overhead console retrofit