slow reverse engagement progressing to no engagement in reverse or forward gears

[holderd]

Been reading for hours and am now totally burned out. Please steer me to some pertinent threads. 1998 Explorer 2WD 4.0 Auto 230K miles. Have had slow reverse engagement for several years. Worse in cold weather. No other issues until yesterday. Got in car to leave and now I have no reverse and no forward gears. Was working fine the day before. Any ideas?
thanks

 

[redraven0]

Is it a 5r55e or 4r55e transmission? Do you have a flashing O/D light on your dashboard?

Have you checked the condition of the transmission fluid? If so what's it like?

Do you hear or feel a clunk like the gears engage but the engine revs and the car does not move?

 

[muck]

my wife explorer does the same thing. when she backs up when it is first started in doesnt go, revs tho. and the i kicks in and usually peels out. I got rebuilt valves and changed the fuild and filter and it still does it. i plan on just replacing the tranny.

 

[aggie_miner]

Been reading for hours and am now totally burned out. Please steer me to some pertinent threads. 1998 Explorer 2WD 4.0 Auto 230K miles. Have had slow reverse engagement for several years. Worse in cold weather. No other issues until yesterday. Got in car to leave and now I have no reverse and no forward gears. Was working fine the day before. Any ideas?
thanks

had same problem in 2002, it was the transmission pump relief valve