completley unexpected a4ld issue

[junkYARDbuilt]

Been doing some homework, and noticed alot of people have similar problems, but I cant seem to find any clear solutions.
Out of no where my 94 explorer decided that it doesn't want to shift on its own anymore. I've never had any slipping or shifting issues with this truck before.
At just over 100k I figured a filter change would atleast afford me a look into the pan. The fluid was clean and there was no noticable debris in the pan or filter. This was def. not its first service judging by the replacement filter, gasket and lack of the yellow plug rolling around in the pan.
After the filter change it will shift from 1st to 2nd (and between other gears) when i let go of the throttle. After changing the vaccuum module it will shift out of first at 5000rpms. I can still make it shift by feathering the throttle.
there is plenty of pressure at the tree and at the module, fluid is dead on and clean, kind of getting frustrated. I dont think an all out trans swap is in order at this point. Any advice would be greatly apreciated.
Thanks

 

[91Explored]

You may need to adjust your bands. Loosen locking nut (19 mm) then Tighten center to 120 inch pounds (10 ft pounds ) then back out 2 turns.

 

[gmanpaint]

Sometimes the clips that hold the bands get weak and break off, or crack, allowing slack in the band to spin on the drums.

I had the intermediate band do just that. When I tried to do a band adjustment, it cracked the rest of the way, the clip fell off and the band was toast. At this point, a complete rebuild was performed. If your going to take all the guts out of the trans to replace the intermediate band (which it sounds like that is your issue), you might as well rebuild it. A soft rebuild is just replacing all the seals, gaskets, springs, clutches and steels. Also a good time to replace the torque convertor, as it has a clutch pack inside it too.

 

[wood1]

Hey there, the governor can jamb and cause just the issues you are describing. If you shift it manually (start out in 1st, shift to 2nd etc) does it work properly?