Help Please Tansmission won't shift

[keyystone]

I was driving down the road, slowed down to shift lanes, hit the gas, and then nothing, no forward or reverse gears. have checked the fluids was a little bit low topped it off and still nothing. After I got home, I went through all the gears (without hitting the gas) and feel a very mild change in the revving of the engine but no movement at all. I am about top try a fluid and filter change as well as a modulator change this weekend is it possible this could be the problem or are there other suggestions, or does it seem like I am just out of luck??? Please Help.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check your "Z" link when you drop the pan.

 

[keyystone]

Thank you for the warm welcome. But forgive my ignorance, I am not familiar with the term "z-link"? can you please explain?

 

[BrooklynBay]

This thread by Glacier991 has everything that you would want to know about the "Z" link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155599

 

[keyystone]

Well, here is an update, I replaced the filter and fluid today, looked at the z-clip and it appeared fine. still no movement at all. noticed a decent amount of sludge in the transmission cover when I dropped so I was hoping that it was just a clog, oh well. the valve body was also pretty snug. is there any way to diagnose the modulator and the sensors? I have a replacement modulator but it looks to be a bear to remove (seems like you have to move the exhaust and the heat sield to adequately remove it, if this is not true please let me know an easier way). also is there something else I should be lookng at??

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could get to the modulator from inside of the vehicle by removing the seats, and access panel on the floor. Another way to get to it is from underneath the vehicle. You would have to remove the catalytic converter. Check the vacuum line for ATF. This would be an indication of the condition of the modulator's diaphragm. Be careful not to lose the pin in the modulator. Use some petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to hold it in place while reinstalling a new modulator.

 

[keyystone]

does it sound like the diaphragm or the solenoid could be the problem, it is just odd to me to lose all transmission functionality at one time with no previous notice (no slipping or anything else)

 

[keyystone]

meant modulator or solenoid

 

[BrooklynBay]

There are only 2 solenoids in the transmission which control the 3-4 shift (overdrive), and the TCC lockup.

 

[keyystone]

And I guess neither of those would result in this kind of malfunction???

 

[BrooklynBay]

Overdrive is equivalent to 4th gear, and the TCC solenoid is only for locking up the converter at highway speeds.

 

[stang99x]

I lost the tranny in my 92 the same way. Was cruising at about 65 when I went to pass a semi on a two lane road. It kicked down into the mysterious nonexistant gear and I rolled off the side of the road shortly thereafter, reving as if I was in neutral. I got it to go again after 15 minutes of reving the hell out of it, made it 32 more miles making damn sure I didn't ahve to stop or shift hard for any reason, rolled into a tranny shop and learned that after 213000 miles, she was done. 3 days and a rebuild later ($1600) I was back on my way.