My transmission is not down shifting all of the time.

[cspenley]

I've got a 1998 SOHC 6cyl 4.0 Eddie Bauer, and for the last month, everytime I slow down to either stop or turn a corner, it seems as if my transmission doesn't want to downshift. If I am coming to a stop and put it into neutral the engine will keep running, however if I put it back into drive it promptly dies. When I put it back into park, and restart, it's just like nothing ever happened. Lately I've been able to come to a stop with it in neutral, shift into reverse and I can hear the transmission shift and the RPMs drop to about 500 for a moment and then back up to normal. When I put it back into drive it is fine.
I'm all out of ideas and need to know what I can do.
Thanks in advance.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the transmissions section. When was the last time you replaced the fluid, and the filter? Are there any stored computer codes? How many miles does it have?

 

[cspenley]

There are no stored codes. It has around 156,000 miles on it. In the 5 years I've had it I haven't had the fluid or filter changed. I know that sounds terrible, but it's my first vehicle. I just want to know what I'm in for.

 

[swetrid]

I have seen epc solenoid mounting bracket break which lets the solenoid move in and out and cause stalling issues. If you remove the pan you can see the solenoid condition and while you are there change the filter and fluid.