AT won't shift - possible causes?

[dgraves]

Hi. I'm new to this board. I've enjoyed similar boards on my other cars and hope this one is as informative and friendly as those.
My problem is the automatic transmission won't upshift until I let off on the gas slightly. It will go right up to redline even at partial throttle. It was a little low on fluid so I added a half a quart but that didn't help. I also checked the kick down cable but that seems OK at the tranny end and at the gas pedal lever. Any thoughts on where to go from here.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Slick]

DGRAVES

I just had that same problem with my 95. The problem was it was skipping from 1st gear straight to 4th gear. They totally rebuil the tranny, it was under warranty, but if urs isnt, and we have the same problem which it sounds like, it'll prolly cost a good $2000

 

[Steve94LTD]

thats what happened to mine... 94 auto with 80k miles on it. It would rev all the way up to the redline until I let off a bit, then I would hit the gas again and it would shift.

Then on the expressway Id be doing about 50-60 and id hit the gas to get into passing, and the car would just rev all the way up...

My tranny needed a rebuild.. $1400

 

[dgraves]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Of course, that is not what I was hoping to hear ( I have no warrantee) but I appreciate the feedback. I'm just under 60K miles so I'm disappointed that the tranny would head south so soon but the Explorer really hasn't given me any trouble since I bought it 8 years ago so I guess I can't complain too much.

 

[JWood]

Not a good sign, I'm afriad.....

it sounds like what I have been through twice. There was no way around a rebuild ($1400-1800). Just make sure you talk with those doing the work and ask questions about the "Hardparts". The aftermarket Torque converter is a better one with "brazed" fins......than what Ford uses. Or, you could talk with Ford about a rebuilt one.

Either way it's no fun......good luck!!

 

[TPLYNCH]

Welcome to the site DGraves. You should find answers to most of your questions. Here is link to a site that may prove very useful to you. Dead Link Removed

As for your tranny, when was the last time you changed your tranny fluid? Did you have it flushed when you did? If you haven't done it recently, try it. It can't hurt, and may save you from a costly rebuild. Ford recommends changing at 60K, but with these trannys, 30K is a better suggestion.

 

[Steve94LTD]

this is what my friend who works at a tranny shop said: the ford AOD tranny in the first gen explorers was essentially a pinto transmission, with an overdrive gear bolted on... meaning these suckers are WEAK!

Not only that but ford designed the tranny housing to be about 6 inches from the cat. converter.. meaning that your exposing that already crappy tranny to some massive heat.

 

[dgraves]

No I hadn't changed fluid yet. Ironically, I had bringing it in for it's 60K service (including the AT fluid and filter change) this coming weekend. I'm actually at 59,599 mile right now. I guess it would hurt to try the fluid and filter change and go from there.
Thanks again guys. Great board!

 

[FMNavajo]

dgraves,
I hope this will help you save a lot of money. I had this happen on mine after replacing the intake manifold gasket, of all things. What had happened is after removing the upper intake manifold I had inadvertently pulled the vacuum hose off the diaphragm that's connected to your tranny, (the diaphragm is located in-between the automatic transmission and the catalytic converter and muffler tubes on the passenger side). Vacuum is one of the items needed to shift the transmission, this is why your having to let off the gas and release pressure so the trans will shift. If it's still connected to the trans, check under the hood on the octopus on the upper intake manifold, ( located on the drivers side near the firewall, just above the PCV valve).

I really hope this helps,
FM

 

[FROADER]

The cause is... it's dead. Mine did that. I had to shift it manually from 1st to 2nd then D. It's time to rebuild. When I took mine in the guys said the whole thing was blown, he was suprised it was going at all. Sorry and good luck!