Shifting Problems

[Explodr94]

Update:

My last post was in April. I finally got time to work on the Ford. I went into the transmission and removed the governor. I polished the piston and changed the floating weight and spring. Reinstalled. Before changing the governor I rechecked my previous work:

-new vacuum lines
-new vacuum modulator
-pressure test modulator
-check vacuum

Vacuum was 19 psi. The modulator held 18 psi. After re-installation, no luck.
The car continues to not upshift from 1st-2nd, unless you back off gas pedal and vacuum goes up. All other shifts are fine. In fact the car drives great at all speeds. What I am wondering, is there something I missed? I have re-read ATSG Tech Manual and have a couple of questions.

1- What is the cutback valve and how does it affect the governor?

2- How does the forward clutch feed affect the governor?

I have eliminated these causes:
a) fluid level is good and fluid looks good
b) governor valve is not sticking and has been serviced.
c) vacuum modulator holds 18 psi and is new
d) there are no vacuum leaks and vacuum is good

Here is what I will rule out this weak:
a) tighten intermediate band to spec.(thanks Brooklyn)
b) examine kickdown
c) inspect and examine linkage (it already looks good)
d) send compressed air through forward clutch feed?

Is there anything I have missed? and I am hoping that I don't have anything burnt.

Thanks, Explodr94

P.S. - frustrated as hell.

 

[Explodr94]

Update: I continued to drive my Exploder for another three weeks in this condition. Second gear failed on me completely. The Explorer is in the shop, the tech explained my servo went out on me. I decided to drop the money on the rebuild as my Exploder looks great (So. Cal car) and has 163,000 miles on it. My friend put well over 220,000 on his 1991 Exploder. I will be driving the Explorer to the Northern Wisconsin vacation home and leaving it up there. Now it will be used for hauling firewood and bringing deer hunters to the bar. Thanks to everyone on the board. I will always try everything for $75 first, rather than bite the bullet for $2500. I cannot tell you how many times I have saved myself $2500 doing things this way. After the governor did not solve the problem, I kinda figured it was the servo, or a burnt band, or the valve body giving out.

Thanks, Matt

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could update the servo, and cover by installing a larger size. One question I have for you is: when you installed the modulator, did you make sure that the pin didn't fall out?

 

[Explodr94]

You could update the servo, and cover by installing a larger size. One question I have for you is: when you installed the modulator, did you make sure that the pin didn't fall out?

Yeah, I put the vasoline on the pin and installed it. After installation I reinstalled it one time with the same procedure.

Thanks, Matt

 

[westcovinajoe]

A 1-2 shift delay is from a sticking governor. You just mentioned that your speedometer was going wild. I once saw an article in Gears magazine about this problem in a Ford motorhome. Everytime the speedometer went crazy, the vehicle had erratic shifts. It turned out that the wiring in the steering column was being pinched when the driver moved the tilt. It shorted the signal going to the computer. In your transmission (A4LD), the electrical connections are related to the OD, and the TCC. You don't have electronic shifts like on the 4R44E/4R55E, and the 5R55E.

This is very interesting!

Do you know what is recomended in terms of the adjustment of the tilt steering column?

I have also noticed better shifting when the speedometer is not tweaking out.

I have not touched the tilt once since I bought it used, but I am intirgued now, since the tranny has gotten better, mostly, since I have had it.

Looking forward to your reply.

Joe.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Does your column feel very shaky? Take off the plastic cover, and examine the wiring. If you see anything that looks like stripped rubber insulation, look for the same color wire. Don't forget that all of the wires are color coded. AutoZone has wiring diagrams on their website with color codes. Those colors would tell you where they are going to.

 

[rookieshooter]

Does your column feel very shaky? Take off the plastic cover, and examine the wiring. If you see anything that looks like stripped rubber insulation, look for the same color wire. Don't forget that all of the wires are color coded. AutoZone has wiring diagrams on their website with color codes. Those colors would tell you where they are going to.

Not to take anything away from this thread. But where do you find all your information you post. I mean I'm impressed with your posts. Do you have a like one big book that covers everything you need to know about everything?
Allways a pleasure to read what you have to say.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I just read things, and post what I've learned. I don't have one master book for everything.

 

[Glacier991]

BB sifts through a lot of stuff.... always useful to have that broad a range of possibly useful info.... condensed and brought here.

 

[Explodr94]

Update: I just wanted to state for the record that my Explorer is driving. The folks at Oceanside Transmission did a great job of repairing the A4LD. So, if you live in Southern California (North County San Diego Area) I highly recommend them. Also, I have found the replies from Brooklyn as well as Glacier very informative and useful. I have one question, though -- do the women in your lives put up with you guys???

 

[BrooklynBay]

My wife puts up with me, but feels I spend too much time on the forum! What did that shop repair in the end? Did they give you an entire rebuild?

 

[injection]

My 1996 ford explorer is giving me problems. I had the trans rebuilt 3 months ago but know i'm noticing that when i'm on the expressway the truck jerks when I shift gears..wHEN i'M NOT ON THE EXPRESS WAY IT SHIFTS FINE AND THERE IS NO JERKING, BUT WHEN I COME TO A STOP THE TRUCK SEEM LIKE SOMEONE IS PRESSING ON THE GAS WHEN I'M AT A FULL STOP....SOMEONE HELP!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I see that you are from Philadelphia. My wife is from there. This is what I said in response to your email: It sounds like your idle is too high. Check your vacuum lines, and IAC solenoid.