Newb needs transmission help

[svtstpete]

Hello everyone, newb here with a transmission problem.

1997 Explorer XLT V6 ATX
135k miles
Purchased used 1 year ago with 115k miles.

Over the last couple months, whenever "giving it some gas" at moderate speeds (~40mph), the RPMs climb and hang there, and it doesn't seem to get into the next gear unless I let off the gas. No biggie I thought.

The other day I start it and the RPMs climb up to about 3k and settle to about 2,500 RPMs and hang there - not normal. I wait and nothing. I blip the gas pedal and it settles back to 2,500 RPMs.

I decide to take it for a spin. When I put it into gear, the RPMs drop back to normal. Driving seems normal until I brake. As I'm braking the engine does not shift into a lower gear - the RPMs are hanging.

I checked the transmission fluid and it's red (which from Search I found is good).

Any thoughts as to my next approach? Maybe a transmission service? (no flush as recommended in Searches.)

Thanks for any insight you guys can provide.

~Pete

 

[Glacier991]

Sounds like a bad throttle position sensor (TPS) possibly.

 

[glfredrick]

There are likely a number of things that could be wrong, several that stem from easy to check/fix issues - and others that are more difficult.

I would start by pulling the pan and checking the solenoids. Make sure that they are all securely in their bores. They tend to back out sometimes, and can cause all sorts of weird shifting patterns. (That tranny is the old C-3 from the Pinto that has an electronic valve body and an overdrive unit tacked onto it, and it was converted from a 4 speed to a 5 speed by making hte electronic shifts go into and out of overdrive in various gears to split the ratios into 5 gears - which means that a solenoid not working can cause problems like you describe.)

The second thing I would look at is the torque of the valve body bolts. I have seen several in that model year that were loose. Retorque to factory values with a GOOD inch-pound torque wrench.

Third, I would examine the filter and pan when it came off the vehicle. If it is full of plastic-looking or metal shavings, you will need a rebuild, as the overdrive clutch or sprag has most likely gone south. They tend to melt together from the excess head generated from running the truck in overdrive while going up hills.

All except the actual rebuild can be done easily at home in your driveway without actually pulling the tranny. Just drop the pan, and be prepared with a new filter and gasket, plus the oil to re-fill it.

 

[svtstpete]

Thanks for your input.

I didn't drive the Explorer for about a week fearing the worst and not having any money to repair anything.

I started it up and 75% of the symptoms are gone.

It still occassionally shifts rough and randomly throws a "Check Gage" light".

My friend will be pulling the code for me next week, after which time I'll be taking it into a mechanic for analysis.

Thanks again.