Help! 02 Explorer randomly acts like it went to neutral

[Scott210]

Hi, my 02 explorer will randomly kick out and rev up . The speedometer still reads and moves with engine revs. I believe the transmission is still turning . If I push the the "auto 4x4" button on dash, it will clunk into gear and I can drive again. I noticed it does it when vehicle is cold , usually within first 15-20 miles. What could be causing this?
I do hear a clicking noise under glove compartment just before this happens.

 

[Number4]

Is it in between a shift point? 1-2, 2-3 etc?

 

[LMHmedchem]

Hi, my 02 explorer will randomly kick out and rev up . The speedometer still reads and moves with engine revs. I believe the transmission is still turning . If I push the the "auto 4x4" button on dash, it will clunk into gear and I can drive again. I noticed it does it when vehicle is cold , usually within first 15-20 miles. What could be causing this?
I do hear a clicking noise under glove compartment just before this happens.

I had something similar where my engine would rev quite high and then kick in. For me this happened only when starting from a stop, like at a light. Thought I thought it was a transmission issue, it turned out to be the idle air control valve getting stuck. Replacing the valve fixed the issue.

That I can remember, this never happened when I was moving at any speed. As Number4 asks, it likely matters quite a bit if this is happening when the trans is supposed to be shifting, or not.

LMHmedchem

 

[2Trux]

It sounds like an issue with the transfer case. It might be going into "tow mode" and disconnecting from the driveshaft.

 

[Tylers02]

Mine does the same usually between 2 and 3rd gear but only when warm. Hoping it's just a solenoid pack issue and not a servo bore problem. How is your reverse engagement? Throwing any codes?