New Transmission Reliability Q's/general q's...

[Neversummersnow]

Hey all,

I have a 1997 Explorer XLT SOHC V6. It has about 110k on it and is showing signs of transmission problems. I am by no means an expert or even knowledgeable when it comes to this sort of thing, but anyone that rides in my car says its time to start considering what to do when the transmission goes out...more on that later.

The problem is when I apply 1/5-1/4 throttle (not much) from a stop and accelerate (sp?) slowly it feels as though I am driving a manual as there is a "pause" between shifts, almost as though the transmission disengages for a moment, the RPMS spike slightly, then it finds its place. Sluggish might be another word for it. Now and then there is a CLUNK noise/feel if I keep on the gas when the RPMs spike (I've learned to realease the gas all together when this happens)

Oh, I just got my fluid changed...didn't help.

When I apply more gas it seems to shift better (aka, floored)

My questions are...
1-What exactly is going on?
2-If and when the tranny does go out what is my best option.
3-Am I best off getting rid of it now...

I am a college kid that races DH mtn bikes and nees a vehicle to take him all over the country reliably!

 

[Neversummersnow]

My main point in this question was to figure out the reliability rate of a new tranny...like how long it will last (on average)

It seems once the OEM one goes its a loosing battle...

I thought about making this into a poll...

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

NSS, it may not be the transmission at all. The shifts are governed by several sensors, including a speed sensor (VSS) and a TPS. I would test the TPS first. They tend to wear out at the lower end of their range, just where you indicate it shifts poorly. The reason I mention the TPS is that it seems to shift OK at a higher throttle setting.....

There are many posts telling how to test the TPS, so do a search. Basically you're looking for a smooth transition from about 1v to 4v on the signal wire, when the throttle is advanced. If the voltage rise is not smooth, then the TPS should be replaced.

This may or may not be the problem, but it's a place to start and won't cost you anything to test.
Good luck.

 

[Neversummersnow]

Hey, I appreciate the help in pointing me in some direction...

I did do a search and there are just soooo many tranny threads...it sort of answers my second group of questions...


Anyway, I'll look into this...once again, MANY THANKS!

 

[Robert]

You are at about the age for the 5-speed auto to start failing. Mine went right at 100K. Anywhere between 90K-110K seems to be the norm. for the 5-speed auto. A lot of people have gotten more out of them, however when I see people posting that their 5-speed auto is acting strange, they always seem to have between 90K & 100K miles on it. When mine first started going I noticed a harsh clunk from the transmission as it downshifted when I came to a stop. A couple of months later I started noticing it slipping when changing gears. About the same time it also started making a very harsh lurch and bang noise when shifting from reverse to drive or vice-versa. I ended up getting it rebuilt for around $1900. It's been fine ever since. I doubt if you'll find any long term reliability posts though from 5-speed autos that have been replaced. If the first one went at 90K-100K, then they likely don't have enough miles yet on the new one to judge its long-term reliability. My rebuilt one has been in about 7 months.

 

[Neversummersnow]

I believe I have a 4 speed auto tranny...and no harsh clunks are really anywhere...just when the tranny gets "confused" between shifts and I keep on the gas...if I let off the gas when I realize it doesnt know what to do (between 1 and 2 usually) no clunks of any sort come out...hell even if I do keep on it, it doesnt clunk, it just feels like I'm driving a manual as its not quick...

 

[Neversummersnow]

and now i do have some time to get out there and test my tps

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by Neversummersnow
I believe I have a 4 speed auto tranny...and no harsh clunks are really anywhere...just when the tranny gets "confused" between shifts and I keep on the gas...if I let off the gas when I realize it doesnt know what to do (between 1 and 2 usually) no clunks of any sort come out...hell even if I do keep on it, it doesnt clunk, it just feels like I'm driving a manual as its not quick...

No the only 4-speed automatic used in Explorers from '97 on were in the V8. All V6 Explorers got the 5-speed automatic (5R55E) beginning in '97.

 

[Neversummersnow]

Thanks for the info, never knew that...(that's bad...lol)

I checked the TPC...its PERFECT...sits at .98 V and smoothly goes up to 4.8 V

What now??? Could it be a seal problem w/the tranny? That's what I was told by a semi-shady mechanic...800 bones to fix it!