Explorer Not Shifting Into 4th Gear

[MagicPinstripes]

Hey all,

Had a tranny rebuild done @ 330,000 kms. I've got 360,000 kms on her now. My O/D light is flashing, but it still seems to be shifting fairly well. The occasional hard shift and sometimes a bit of slippage. Fluid hasn't been changed in two years (Since the rebuild) and does not smell burnt and looks nice and pink/red.

Problem is that whenever I'm driving now, it never goes into 4th. I drive a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0 V6.

I'm wondering if it's time for a tranny flush and filter change. Also, should I be looking at the solenoids in there as well? Would that be a potential cause of it not going into 4th? Basically, I drive a lot on the highway and it's killing me on the gas mileage now....Well, even moreso than before...LOL

Thanks for the help!

Evan

 

[jimbo74]

if the od light is flashing, it needs to go to the tranny shop, and is usually already too late at that time to do anything oterh than a full rebuild.....

 

[MrShorty]

Yes, it might be time for a rebuild. Before I abandoned myself to that possibility, though, I'd pull codes from the computer (the flahing o/d light suggests that the computer can see the problem and should store a code to that effect). Most '95's are EEc-IV/OBD-1, so all you need is a jumper wire/paper clip (see www.troublecodes.net/Ford). It might need a rebuild, but a wire may have just come loose, too. I would see what the comptuer has to say and see if you're lucky enough for it to be something simple.

And, beyond that (knowing that it's electronically controlled and similar to the A4LD), I don't really know my way around the 4R44E, so someone else will have to fill in details as you work through the diagnosis.