No shift from 1st to 2nd until let off gas

[geosnooker2000]

Glad to be posting for the first time! Yesterday, out of the blue, my explorer started acting up on me. I started her up, and started down the road, when I noticed that it wouldn't shift into 2nd. So, the first thing I did was let off the gas. As the RPMs came down to about 2K, it shifted (roughly) into 2nd. Didn't think anything about it. Then I noticed my "O/D OFF" light was blinking at me. Uh-oh! From that point on, it has done that every time I come to a stop. All the other gears shift fine. So smooth that you have to watch the Tach to tell when it happens. It just does it from 1st to 2nd. I never changed the trany fluid, never thought about it. My last Expl. was a 5 speed '94 stick. By the way, the first thing I did was check my fluid level and color, and to my suprise, the color was good and the fluid level was HIGH. Any ideas?
My stats:
1996 Explorer Eddie Bauer
4x4 V6 Forrest Green w/ leather Int.
Purchased used with 84,000 +/- in October 2005
Now has 191,000 +/-
Change Oil every 5000mi. full synthetic Castrol
Mostly country driving on 2 lane hyws. 50mph or better

 

[gto78]

I've had that problem on other cars, and it was a bad clutch pack. The tranny had been sitting unused for a few years, first time out it wiped out the clutches.

 

[gto78]

forgot to mention, had the exact problem on my dads truck a few times. Each time we fixed it by unplugging the battery for an hour. It ended up having a bad shifter position sensor. It didnt throw any codes but caused the same problem.

 

[gto78]

Any updates? I'd like to know what was wrong.

 

[slpdave]

I believe anytime the O/D light flashes, you are in Tranny Safe Mode. Get the codes read (most tranny shops or auto parts stores will read them for free). The code will tell you what is wrong with the tranny. My 2000 has a syncing problem being detected every once in a while but turning the vehicle off resets the tranny and it will work fine once again. My tranny guy tells me to drive it until it really breaks, get as much use out of it as you can before you pump money into it. Running the vehicle with the O/D light flashing can DAMAGE the tranny, this is something you need to get checked ASAP.

David

 

[CDW6212R]

Just about every auto trans Ford has made in the last 25 years has quirks inherent in them. Transgo has made a good business out of developing valve body kits which correct and improve stock vehicles. They also make high performance shift kits for a few popular transmissions, but that doesn't apply to most of these Ford units.

All of the V6 Explorers have a transmission which could be better, when new and when old, rebuilt or blown. The kits that are available for those valve bodies make the trans shift better(not harsh, or race car like), and function better in every way. The trans will last longer, whether it is new, slipping, or rebuilt. No matter what the condition, buy a valve body kit and get it installed correctly. It can fix some problems before they cause failure, do something now, don't wait. Good luck,

 

[JDraper]

Moving this to the transmission forum to give you more visibility with our tranny experts.


Good Luck!

 

[geosnooker2000]

Just about every auto trans Ford has made in the last 25 years has quirks inherent in them. Transgo has made a good business out of developing valve body kits which correct and improve stock vehicles. They also make high performance shift kits for a few popular transmissions, but that doesn't apply to most of these Ford units.

All of the V6 Explorers have a transmission which could be better, when new and when old, rebuilt or blown. The kits that are available for those valve bodies make the trans shift better(not harsh, or race car like), and function better in every way. The trans will last longer, whether it is new, slipping, or rebuilt. No matter what the condition, buy a valve body kit and get it installed correctly. It can fix some problems before they cause failure, do something now, don't wait. Good luck,

What is involed in installing the valve kits? If I'm going to have to spend $1500 to pay some guy to install it because it's too complicated for me to do, then I would be better off getting it rebuilt. I mean, can you get to the valves easily without taking the transmission apart? If you say it's doable, then I will go ahead and buy the Trany manual and consider tackling the job myself.
Thanks
George

 

[Glacier991]

Do you have a 4R55 or a 5R55? The difference with your issue is a critical one. as 2nd gear is achieved differently betweeen the 2.

A flashing OD light means there is a problem the computer was designed to detect and it will store a code telling what it detected. VERY valuable info to have.

But before I venture my opinion, I need my initial Q answered - 4R or 5R?

 

[geosnooker2000]

Do you have a 4R55 or a 5R55? The difference with your issue is a critical one. as 2nd gear is achieved differently betweeen the 2.

A flashing OD light means there is a problem the computer was designed to detect and it will store a code telling what it detected. VERY valuable info to have.

But before I venture my opinion, I need my initial Q answered - 4R or 5R?

How can I find out? Is it on the door in some code?

 

[Glacier991]

Try reading this thread.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=183596

I won't repeat myself, except to say you, in your case, COULD have a broken intermediate band, in addition.

 

[geosnooker2000]

Went by AutoZone today. Got the counter guy to go out and hook up their computer and it through a "P0756" code. as far as which Trany I have, if 4R means 4 speed and 5R means 5 speed, then I have a 4R. on the door, the code reads Tr= T.

 

[geosnooker2000]

Try reading this thread.


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=183596

I won't repeat myself, except to say you, in your case, COULD have a broken intermediate band, in addition.

You were right. Took the pan off this morning, and found the end of the band laying there. Looks like a rebuild job now. No great surprise @ 191000 miles. Thanks for all your help.
George