High Idle, trans acting funny, then A/C goes

[entinnovations]

I have a 99 SOHV V6 with 95,000 miles. The other day I noticed the engine idling between 1200-1400 when the engine is warm. A few days later the transmission began to shift into 2nd and 3rd to hard and to early. Two days later the A/C stopped blowing cool air. Any ideas if these things could be related or what the problem could be? Thanks

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I see you live in Flordia - your truck wasn't in any heavy water was it? Weird electrical stuff like that can happen. If for some reason your computer is acting funny (due to water) - your truck will never run the same again.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Your truck is showing classic signs of an overheating situation. Where is the temp gauge when it's idling high? Chances are the thermostat is stuck closed, or the temp sending unit is bad and providing bad temp info to the computer.

 

[Glacier991]

Another possible link for the first two could be either the vacuum modulator is leaking or the vacuum line to it.... a vacuum leak could raise your idle speed and an improperly functioning modulator could produce your shift symptoms... as for the AC... having trouble connecting that.

 

[SVTCobra97]

I am having similar problems with my 99 v6 (sohc) explorer. It has a rough shift between 2-3 gear about 80% of the time. The rpms will jump, and then it will KICK into 3rd. This has been going on for months, but the problem has not gotten any worse. I recently changed the tranny fluid, but this did nothing. The other thing I have had the past two days is the rpms stay around 1400 at start up until I put it in gear. (the ac or defrost are not on. Yes i let it run for more than 10 seconds).

Something interesting on the ac.... This past summer I could put in on bi-level air (w/o) the ac on, but it would blow really COLD air. It could be 90 and humid, and it would still blow cold. So the AC had to be on, even though the knob wasn't on AC.


Any ideas? Think we have the same problem?

 

[entinnovations]

Update

Sure enough, my car started overheating last night the needle was staying right below the H. All my coolant is still in the radiator so does that mean the water pump isn't bad? Because if the water pump went out, wouldn't all the coolant leak out? So I'm thinking its the thermostat??? Thanks for any help

 

[JDraper]

I'd bet on tstat. Same thing happened to my '01 and it was the tstat. It's expensive compared to other tstats (like $17), but it's still a LOT cheaper than a water pump and you can install it in the driveway.

 

[entinnovations]

Are there any guides in here on how to replace the tstat?

 

[TPLYNCH]

SVT - your shift problem sounds like the loose valve body issue in the tranny. There is a TSB for the tranny. Issue also manifests itself in there being no engine braking when shifter is in 1.

The A/C compressor runs on all settings except for Panel and Floor. That's why you get A/C on bilevel. That is normal.

Entin.... Search for how to replace thermostat and you will find many threads. Check the Useful Threads forum as well. May be there. Is very simple. One bolt is hard to get to, and you have to remember to line up the weep hole in the 12 oclock position.

 

[entinnovations]

Sure enough it was the thermostat. Apparently the ECU cut off the compressor because it sensed an overheat situation. The high idle seemed to cause the shifting problems, after replacing the tstat idle went back to normal and no more overheating or rough shifting. Thanks to all who replied and helped out, I probably avoided a huge ass raping if I would have taken it to a shop.

 

[Glacier991]

Kudos on this one go to TPLynch. Great call! Ya gotta love the knowledge base on this board!

 

[SVTCobra97]

SVT - your shift problem sounds like the loose valve body issue in the tranny. There is a TSB for the tranny. Issue also manifests itself in there being no engine braking when shifter is in 1.

The A/C compressor runs on all settings except for Panel and Floor. That's why you get A/C on bilevel. That is normal.

Entin.... Search for how to replace thermostat and you will find many threads. Check the Useful Threads forum as well. May be there. Is very simple. One bolt is hard to get to, and you have to remember to line up the weep hole in the 12 oclock position.

Anymore information that you can direct me to on the valve body issue? Also, do you think replacing my thermostat would be something to try? (I am still getting high idle around 1200 rpm. This is with the air off. It does it at start up and even if it has been running a while and then put into park.)

?

 

[Glacier991]

A high ile at startup is not a temp issue.... try the Throttle Position sensor (TPS)threads for your solution. Also possible MAF cleaning.

 

[TPLYNCH]

SVT - here's the result from searching for 2-3 shift.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=318090

 

[SVTCobra97]

I cleaned the MAF just a few weeds ago. I'll have to look into the TPS.


TPLYNCH- you search shows no matches.....??

 

[TPLYNCH]

Try now.

 

[SVTCobra97]

Just an update in case anyone was wondering.

The transmission had to be rebuilt. Took it in to the shop and had them fix everything that was needing maint. on the car. This included a rebuilt tranny (w/ a 2 yr 24k mile warranty), complete engine tune up and cleaning including flushing the entire system, new front tie rod, new something else up there with the tie rod, tire rotation, alignment, and a new abs sensor in the rear. This was a grand total of over 3k. wow my butt hurts after this raping.

Never thought i'd spend this much f'n money on the explorer over the stang. I was going to get a new clutch this winter, but looks like thats going to wait now.