Guys,, This P.O.S. explorer is killing me!...transmission problems?

[FoxxRocket]

Guys,, This P.O.S. explorer is killing me!...tranny probs?(((((MAJOR UPDATE!!))))))

( I have a 92 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4)

Guys,, Im 27, and I LOOOVE this Piece of **** explorer,, and want to keep it but it is killing me as far as the transmission problems Ive been having.....

About 1 month ago it suddenly starting "slipping" out of gear and pegging the RPM's out under hard acceleration (ie..flooring it hard to get on the highway)...and within a couple of hours had eaten every gear up in the transmission.
Well,,,1 month and 1500.00 later with a 30,000 mile 4x4 transmission its starting to do it again.!

In the last couple of months Ive noticed that I really have a whiney noise from the transmission?? like I am in low or something but can't tell really.......My 4x4 stopped working some time back and the light dosent even come on when the button is pushed for 4x4 or low range........
Now guys' i am a dumb mother****er when it comes to trucks' transmissions and "big" problems with vehicles.....Ill admit that, but being at my age and having a child to take care of I really really can not afford to have this truck break down again.

I really dont have the money for a mechanic right now as things are going pretty hard.....any help would be GREATLY appreciated........thanks guys!
If someone here (Oklahoma City) with applicable knowlege would care to help me, Im sure I could scrape up a 12 pack of beer!...
Thanks again guys,,,,, I will check back very regularly if any questions that might help me with the problem......

Thanks again guys'

-Chris

 

[mrboyle]

Are you saying that 1 month ago you had the tranny fixed, and now the problem is back? If so, your tranny should be under warranty. The whine noise is normally related to a bad front pump. I'd take it back and make the shop warranty the tranny.

 

[FoxxRocket]

Mike,, Im sure the shop wouldnt have any problem with the warranty on the transmission (they gave me 90 day warranty on it),, but i think something else is going wrong with the transmission system in general causing the transmissions to go bad..such as a drive converter or anything to that affect?.. Is this waaayyy off,, or a probable scenario?...I mean,, I am really really lacking power from the engine but this is all just a guess since this is the first explorer and the first 4 wheel drive ive ever had........
Mike ,, can you tell me more about the whining problem from the front in low speeds?...

thanks alot mike and all other replies!

-Chris

 

[FoxxRocket]

HEY MIKE ,, we have the same Explorer by the way,, all the way down to the color!...

-Chris

 

[Alec]

what sort of fix did you get?

a rebuilt tranny from another vehicle
a 'half' rebuild
or a full rebuild complete with new or reman torque converter?

 

[FoxxRocket]

Alec,, as far as i know, it was just a used transmission from a explorer with same tranny with 30,000 miles on it......

-Chris

 

[Alec]

my guess is they swapped in the new tranny but reused the old torque converter. it was probably the tc that was bad in the first place.

Either that, or the new tranny had a bad needle bearing like mine did and everything in the tranny decided to do a little dance and grind itself to pieces

 

[FoxxRocket]

Hey alec,,, is there any tell-tell signs its the torque converter,,,,,,,,,,,and how much is that fix if it is?


This could be wayyyy off,, but is there any chance the transmission could be stuck in Low Range or 4 wheel drive and doing 70 mph is tearing the transmission apart over a period of time?

-Chris

 

[Alec]

Well, it would be your transfer case stuck in 4hi or 4lo, but this is what would happen:

In 4hi, it would be harder to steer and you'd start breaking your front driveline, not the central driveline. In 4lo, this would be compounded and your revs would always jump skyhigh, and you'd think you just got 200 more hp off the line.

A failing tqconv (i don't like using tc cause that also means transfer case) usually results in a great deal of slippage and high revs. With driveline problems it's often difficult to pinpoint the problem because different failures can produce like symptoms.

I'd just take it back to that tranny shop, ask them if they replaced your torque converter. If they didn't, that's the problem. If they did, time for a new set or a free rebuild. I'd try to get a free rebuild instead of another swap. In my experience, a good rebuild is better than a swap.

 

[mrboyle]

I agree with Alec on the torque converter part. If the idiots that swapped out your tranny reused your old converter they made a big mistake. When the tranny fails tons of the crap (metal shavings, clutch material, etc..) floating in the fluid will get trapped in the converter. Even if it is drained, it is impossible to get the majiority of the crap out. Therefore, when the converter is installed into the new transmission all that crap will begin to wash itself into the new tranny and procede to destroy it in a very short ammount of time. This is something the shop that installed the tranny should have known (providing they know anything) and addressed, by either installing the converter that was origionally in front of the new tranny, or replacing it with a new converter. As for the whine, like I metioned before, it is mostlikely the front pump, and know that I know that there is a possibility that the old converter was reused, I am even more convinced that the front pump is the source of the noise. I think you should get your X back to the shop first thing Monday and make them fix it right (under warranty).

 

[FoxxRocket]

Thank You guys Very much,,, I will do that first thing monday. You guys have armed me with enough information that I can at least feel confident that something is definatly wrong.
I appreciate your help Mike, Alec..........
Ill let you know Monday what they say!..

Thanks again..
-Chris

 

[FoxxRocket]

HEY ALEC, MRBOYLE?..........what is this front pump that you guys are talking about that is making the whining noise when the accelerator is pressed?.....I mean what is the pump for?/how much to fix or replace/how can i tell for sure? And Alec,, is a FREE REBUILD a way to rebuild or is it a free (no money) rebuild..lol....I mean is it lingo for something.lol....thanks.......damn now i got myself confused...lol

Im going down right now to try and work something out with the mechanic because the tranny slippage under hard acceleration or acceleration up a incline is getting worse....

Thanks guys.!

 

[DonM]

You should have some type of warrenty coverage? Atleast i hope they gave you one.


Don

 

[FoxxRocket]

Yea Don,, they gave me 90 days and its only been about a month... but I dont know if they are going to give me a hassle if THEY didnt change out the torque converter or not.....

-Chris

 

[DonM]

Ok then, let us know how ya make out!


Don

 

[Explorer94GV]

Im sure alec and mrboyle are correct i had the same problem on mine (though its not 4wd) it was the torque converter that was causing problem. Id say make them rebuild it also at the same time cause you dont know if that crud has gotten in your new tranny. Where you get yours done at? Mine was at AAMCO i hate to say it but i would go back even though they screwed it up 3 times. The covered my warranty every time no hassle. Mine was a 1 year unlimited milage. I wish I would of got that lifetime warranty for the extra $500

 

[FoxxRocket]

Well Guys I just got back from the shop and the guy assures me that the Torque Converter was replaced because the old one was completely burnt up, and that he recommended changing the filter and reflushing the transmission system ($50.00)...so that is what he is doing right now........

When a used transmission is replaced in a vehicle, does the Torque Converter come with that usually..?... Was just wondering if that is usually included since it is part of the transmission.....If so,, it seems that if the TQ was the problem that should be warrantied along with the transmission. The transmission and swap cost me 1500.00 dollars...

-Chris

 

[DonM]

Originally posted by Explorer94GV
he recommended changing the filter and reflushing the transmission system

I dont think that is your problem??! Sounds like they made a boo boo, and need to fix it!


Don

 

[Explorer94GV]

Man thats bs get up there and raise some hell. Check on your reciept and see what it says about torque converter mine always said rebuilt transmission and than said new torque converter. When i orignal got mine rebuilt it cost 259$ for converter. If it says it on reciept that they did it than they should replace it free of charge. if it doesnt say it than tell them to do it. Like Don said changing fluid and filter isnt going to do anything.

 

[FoxxRocket]

Well guys the reciept is in the truck right now so I dont have access to it but I am pretty damn sure that it dosent have that on it,,,,,,,Ive already told him,"That Im gonna drive this thing hard as hell if I think something is wrong with it and your telling me there isnt and if it burns up another damn transmission your gonna replace it,, so which is it,,,150 dollar torque converter or a 1500.00 dollar transmission?".....

-Chris