Help me diagnose my A4LD please.

[CTroxtell]

My A4LD transmission has been acting strangely as of lately. When ever I get in it and put it in overdrive and leave for work it does not want to change out of 1st gear it will rev up to 5k, it will eventually change but it changes gears immediately if I drop it into 2nd gear. I've had problems with it before wanting to jump back and forth between gears while on the highway. Truck has 260k miles on it, not sure what has ever been done to the transmission before I got it. Anyone have any ideas whats going on?

 

[BrooklynBay]

With such high mileage, you could expect to see multiple issues with the governor, bands, modulator, clutch packs, valve body, seals, etc. Does this only happen when it's cold, then when it warms up it functions better? When was the last time you replaced the fluid & filter? Did you check the fluid level?

 

[CTroxtell]

Yes its mainly when its cold outside, it functions better throught the day but still tends not to want to change right off when I jump in. The filter and fluid was changed about 7 months ago or so. I am just about to check the fluid level.

Edit: Okay just checked the fluid, looks like it might have too much. On the stick where it says "Don't add if in crosschecked" the fluid and bubbles are up to the word if.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the governor. It's probably worn down. I would recommend a new governor with a Sonnax weight.

 

[CTroxtell]

I don't see anything about the governor on the Haynes book or the Ford Service Manuals unless I'm overlooking it.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155582

 

[CTroxtell]

Thanks for the information BrooklynBay. Any idea what would cause the transmisson to jump back and forth in gears? This problem comes and goes, you'll be driving on the highway doing 65 to 70 and it'll downshift and then go back into overdrive and just keeps on like it can't make its mind up what gear it wants. Its strange though because it can go a month without doing it and then one day it'll just start again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's possible that the servos are dried out, and they're causing the bands to slip. You should replace the servos & adjust the bands. The kickdown cable is also adjustable.