Slip / Shift Problem, only when first cranked up

[96GAExplorer]

I searched the forums briefly, and didnt see any issues that resembled mine per say, sorry if this is a repost.

Anyhow...

My 96 Explorer XLT (2WD) has been having some problems the last year or so. The odd thing is it only happens during the following :

* Cold outside (<50 degrees), and has just been cranked up
* Cool outside (50-65Degrees) on initial crank or when making a turn on an incline


Here is a typical scenario:

My driveway is on a slight incline, and we park with the front of the vehicle on the top part of the incline. Regardless of whether I coast down the driveway or put the car in reverse (which is NEVER a problem) when I initially attempt to shift into 1st gear (via DRIVE or manually going to 1st or 2nd even), the car simply sits there for a short time then decides to finally shift into gear (could be 5 - 30 seconds). Once the car gets going, I sometimes encounter slips on the incline leaving my neighborhood.

Here is the odd thing, once the car is warmed up a bit...or has been driven even a short distance (I tested by driving around my neighborhood 2x...which is about 1.5 miles per circle), I never have this problem again until the next day...I can drive 5 miles to the store, leave the car sitting in the parking lot for hours (say watch a 2 hour movie)..come back out and not have to even think about it slipping at all. This seems to have started Winter 04, and has gotten a little worse over the year and a half its been happening.

I haven't rushed to get it fixed (which is probably making the actual issue much worse) because the car isnt a daily driver, its only used by myself or my wife for grocery trips since my wife is at home with the kids.

I know computers like the back of my hand, but am lost when it comes to car issues...I have replaced my heater control valve and change my oil..thats about it.

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: About 110K miles on it, checked fluid levels they look OK

 

[Glacier991]

I guess my first question is a simple one. Have you checked your fluid level, with the engine wearm and with the vehcle sitting on a level surface and the engine running? Your symptoms COULD be as simple as low fluid.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I agree with Glacier that it might just be as simple as the oil level. When you checked it, did you check it on level ground with the engine running when it was both cold, and hot? The fluid level is a little higher on the dipstick when it is warm. If this is not the problem, it could be a sticking governor, modulator, or bad valve body gaskets (or just loose VB bolts). When was the last time your pan was dropped to replace the fluid, and filter? There could also be a small clog in the front cooler if the fluid, and filter are original.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I just saw that you have a 96, so that rules out the governor, and modulator (A4LD). The vb gaskets are an issue on the newer models (4R44E, 4R55E, and 5R55E). Another thing that is an issue on your model is the EPC solenoid which is a high wear part. I would suggest that you check your pressure to see if it is in an acceptable range, but do the simple stuff first, like checking your fluid level.

 

[96GAExplorer]

Thanks for the quick replies...I will look at the levels tomorrow when I get up...will be back with the results soon after.

And to answer the initial question, I did NOT check the fluid levels on level ground...I did so on my driveway, which is quite a nasty angle actually.

Thanks again...

 

[96GAExplorer]

....When was the last time your pan was dropped to replace the fluid, and filter? There could also be a small clog in the front cooler if the fluid, and filter are original.

To my knowledge, this has never been done...my wife and I inherited the vehicle from her father a few years back...only oil changes have taken place since then..

Thanks