Overdrive Issues

[peterlichota]

:exp:

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Has anyone had experiences with overdrive randomly switching off on it's own while driving?? My ride is a ... 2000 Ford Explorer Sport 4 wheel drive, 4.0 Litre 6 with an auto transmission. I suspected an Electrical Issue so on advice, I swapped out the old ignition coil for a new one which helped a great deal for a couple of weeks, until popping up twice in the past week again!... It was also suggested a "Sensor" might be a problem but wasn't told which one???... Any insights folks??... Thanks!!... Peter :exp:

 

[drdoom]

Peter, do you mean the light in the dash comes on, and if so, is it flashing?

 

[peterlichota]

:exp:Hi!... Yes, that's it exactly. It happened whether pulling out of the driveway, on a slow drive or more annoyingly while on the highway with no means to pull over! I know it's electrical because an engine shut down and restart resets it. It's a gas waster at highway speeds!... I have replaced the ignition coil with a new one which helped a lot but it still happens occasionally. I was urged to check sensors that may also be faulty but am not sure which?... I have a Hanes Shop Manual but it is very vague and doesn't really offer much help in this department!... Do you have any suggestions as to what else could cause this to happen??... Thanks!!... Peter

 

[drdoom]

Peter, you should go to a shop and have them hook a professional level scanner up, and see what codes you have stored in the on-board diagnostic. From what you describe, you are most likely looking at a P0741 Torque Converter Clutch stuck OFF. You will likely need a new torque converter at the least. Get the codes, post back up.

 

[drdoom]

Peter, also you are not loosing overdrive, it only seems as such due to increased engine RPMs. This is because you are actually loosing torque converter lock-up, so there is excessive slippage in the converter. Which will lead to it's destruction, contaminating the entire tranmission and coolers via the hydraulic fluid. Don't put off your repairs...ask me how I know.

 

[peterlichota]

Thanks DrDoom!!... Ouch,,, this sounds expensive!!?... I'm one to always source out the simplest things first... Gas - No gas, Spark - No Spark etc.. If what you describe is true, swapping out the ignition coil shouldn't have changed anything and the dash light would have remained flashing about like it did, right??.. I'm going to plug in a code reader ASAP to see what comes up. As I recently had an E-Test though, she was on the shop reader and nothing of the sort came up, even though it was thorough enough to tell me my gas cap was screwed! I would appreciate your explaining what's involved with servicing the torque converter and what a typical cost might run! However, I'd like to trace any smaller causes like sensors etc. first. ...Any suggestions??... Thanks!!... Peter

 

[drdoom]

That would be good good, get the transmission codes read, and see what you have. Then as you say, go for the simple fix first. Just remember, when the fluid turns gray, it's trouble.