automatic transmission undamaged?

[HGWalther]

(Sorry for my english!)

Good Evening!

I own a 1998 Ford Explorer 4.0 SOHC with automatic transmission.

I was just investigating a rolling noise (which is not related to this issue) when I tried to disconnect the engine from the transmission (by switching the automatic transmission to "N" neutral position - this normally works fine). The car is still rolling (about 45 mph).

But this time I made a terrible mistake - for just a half of a second I switched to "R" reverse before I realized the error and corrected the switch.

The transmission howled for a moment and the engine stopped. I carefully stopped the car.

After a moment of panic I started the engine and tested the transmission.
Everything seems to work fine - I cannot believe it!

Was I just lucky?
Is there any way to check if everything is OK?
What could have happened?

Thanks for any advice.

Kind Regards,
Hans-Georg H. Walther
Germany
http://www.exploristen.de

 

[Alec]

If it only happens once or twice and everything seems fine then it more than likely is. A few "oopsies" are ok, but don't make a habit out of it. Manually putting the truck into N while moving can be hazerdous and I don't recommend it.

 

[bigDerk]

Maybe I'm just imagining that I heard this, but I think I heard that there is a safety feature that protects against that, and it will shut off the engine if the transmission is shifted into reverse while moving forward so it won't do further damage... anyone else know about this? I might be confusing this with something else, but it sounds familiar to me...

 

[espnfreak]

ouch!

i was another idiodt who did this in my neighborhood while trying to shift into neutral at about 20-25 mph. my car stalled and i was scared SH%##$. Anyways, i havent had any more problems with it, just dont do it again otherwise my truck has been fine and it did the exact same thing yours did, dont worry about it

 

[Michigander]

The tranny should be fine...

I've thrown a tranny on a taurus in Park at 20 mph (at work).... you'll here a clicking noise (that is the lever to engage the inner flywheel to keep it from spinning). However, it will not engage unless you are going slower than 2mph.

If you try to go to R, there is not a lever, however there are "bands that tighten and loosen to engage, disingage different gears. The loud howling would have been a band slipping. I does create abnormal wear, but it will not tighten all the way if it is going too fast forward.

As for the engine shutting off, it might be a special computer program that turns the engine off if you do that. The only reason I know what i do about the tranny is because I work for ford at the tranny plant. I'm not sure about the computer programs built into the tranny though.

anyways... you're tranny is fine, just try not to do it again.

 

[leenjen]

i once had a buick with no brakes. to stop, i had to shift from D to 2 to 1 then stand on the brake pedal (the right front caliper still worked a little, but not much since the fluid would run out of the lines). if i had to stop in a hurry, i slammed it into park. the transmission was fine, and i drove it for about four months like that.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Originally posted by leenjen
i once had a buick with no brakes. to stop, i had to shift from D to 2 to 1 then stand on the brake pedal (the right front caliper still worked a little, but not much since the fluid would run out of the lines). if i had to stop in a hurry, i slammed it into park. the transmission was fine, and i drove it for about four months like that.

Four months? You ought to have your head checked, because either somethings wrong with you or you're just plain crazy. ;-)

 

[HGWalther]

Thank you!

Thanks to all who replied to my posting!
I am quite reliefed now, because obviously I do not have to fear any damage. Replacing the automatic transmission on a Ford Explorer is a quite expensive adventure here in Germany.

Kind Regards,
Hans-Georg H. Walther
Germany
http://www.exploristen.de

 

[espnfreak]

lol leenjen that is nuts!