A4LD Shift Issues

[Wolfie_85]

My 1994 Explorer seems to have issues shifting up into 2nd and down into 2nd from 3rd. There is no slipping, fluid levels are good, new filter. It just sort of hangs between gears until you let off the gas.

Hopefully, this is an easy fix. I appreciate any help, as this is currently my daily driver. I did recently replace the filter.


Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Adjust the kickdown cable & bands. Check the fluid level. When was the last time you replaced the fluid & filter? Do you have an adjustable vacuum modulator?

 

[Wolfie_85]

Vacuum modulator isn't adjustable, I don't think. Might it need replaced? Did the filter Saturday.

Edit: Modulator to my knowledge is OE. Not sure they were adjustable. And I haven't looked. I would ask if the filter was on weong, but it's so simple I don't see how it could go on wrong and still bolt on.

 

[JK080]

Pull the vacuum line off the modulator to check for trans fluid in the line, this will indicate that the modulator is bad.

 

[Wolfie_85]

I do have a modulator sitting around for some reason. Hopefully that's it.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Fluid was low. No leaks under the truck. No change in shifting. Still doesn't seem to go into 2nd unless you take your foot off the gas, just seems to hang between gears. -Really- hope it's just the modulator. Can't afford tranny work right now.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Shifting with the throttle pedal might indicate a broken or out of adjustment intermediate band.

 

[Wolfie_85]

I would hope not, depending on difficulty. Hopefully it won't need to be dropped. But after work, I will try the modulator.

Edit: Drove home. Temerature isn't a factor, as it does it hot or cold. Just thought this may be useful. My ideas on what it could be are: filter not on right? Perhaps not lined up with the holes? Shift governor or vacuum modulator. Also, up until last night driving at highway speeds, it was fine.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Vacuum line to modulator is dry. This is concerning.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The governor is usually the culprit if it binds when it's cold then frees up when it gets warm.

 

[Wolfie_85]

I replaced the modulator. Had it, so why not? Haven't test driven it yet. Governor is in the tail end, yes? Ugh. Hope it's not that. I really don't want to drop the transfer case.

Some background: shifted sluggish into and out of 2nd, so dropped the pan and changed the filter, put some fluid in. Shifted great! Until last night. I'd really hate to have to throw in the towel on this truck. I love it.

Edit: Test drove it. No change. Wishing I knew how much a shop would charge to replace the governor. Really sounds like a lot of work right now, and I lack time.

 

[JK080]

Its not going to be the governor, when they have problems it wont shift or it will start off in the wrong gear. The governor has nothing to do with the quality of the shift.

 

[Wolfie_85]

What could it most likely be? Bands maybe?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You should adjust the bands, and the kickdown cable as previously suggested. You didn't find broken band parts in the pan, so that's good news. Did you use a deep filter in the transmission? The shallow filter is for RWD with a standard pan. The deep filter is for 4WD with a deep pan. The filter should have new O rings.

 

[Wolfie_85]

Yeah, got the deep pan filter. I will look into the kickdown cable.