Tranny Issues

[kb1473]

I think, based on reading a number of 'tranny problem' posts here, that I have a fairly common problem...trouble getting the trans to go into reverse, drive, etc.; failure to upshift, and so on.

Some details about the vehicle:
1998 Explorer Eddie Bauer
2WD (auto, obviously)
169,000 miles

Since I learned that doing fluid flushes too far after the recommended service points could do more harm than good, I've not done any flushes; just monitored the fluid levels. Vehicle does not appear to have any fluid leaks/consumption.

NOW--MY UNIQUE ISSUES/QUESTIONS:
After enjoying a completely trouble-free 168K miles, I sold this truck about a month ago to my sister, who needed a reliable vehicle. I thought I was doing her a favor. In my entire ownership, repairs were limited to a $3 thermostat, a $50 A/C dryer, and brake pads/rotors as needed. Nothing else.

Last week she called and reported the OD light flashing intermittently. A couple of days later, she called describing the above symptoms, asking if I'd ever had any trouble with it. Since I hadn't, everything she was describing sounded foreign to me, but sounds like symptoms I see on posts here.

My questions are:
1. Which tranny does the '98 2wd Explorer use (4-door, SOHC V6)?
2. Isn't there a gradual worsening of performance, or do these trannys go from "fully functional" to "dead" in just a single outing? I never had the slightest hint of tranny issues.
3. One thing she mentioned that i haven't seen in other posts is that the car will limp along at about 50mph for a few hundred yards before quitting again, BUT if she turns the car off and re-starts it, it'll go into gear and limp another few hundred. Does this indicate an electrical issue rather than the trans itself? She mentioned that they replaced the battery a few days ago...any way they could've messed up a control module somewhere?

I'm trying to help diagnose it from 400 miles away. Any suggestions you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NHale623]

1. 5R55E

2. Depends on what failed.

3. Not necessarily indicative of an electrical issue, but it's possible.

Since you have not performed any flushes, have you done any maintenance at all on the transmission? Do you perform regular fluid and filter changes? If yes, how often? What is the condition of the fluid? Is it burnt?

 

[kb1473]

Haven't done any trans fluid changes, just monitoring of the fluid levels. I know, I know...shame on me. Fluid has been the typical dirty red-brown (not dark brown or black). The reason for not changing fluid was because of the warnings about fresh fluid in a trans that went too long before the first fluid change. My ASE mechanic friend recommended just leaving it as-is.

 

[NHale623]

I can understand not wanting to flush the transmission, but not even dropping the pan to do a filter change and adding a few new quarts of fluid... well I guess it's time to pay the piper. You wouldn't do that to your motor oil, would you?

My recommendation would be to get the truck back and start troubleshooting. Check for codes, drop the pan and see what's inside. Pray for the best and prepare for the worst.

 

[Glacier991]

High possibility of a plugged filter.

Also, fluid... Mercon V to be specific... has certain VERY special friction qualities that wear out over time. Those friction qualities are CRITICAL to the proper operation of these transmissions.

I won't bullyrag you (you recognize the error of your ways, bless you my son), but for others... if you fear a flush, AT least do frequent pan drops and renew the fluid! IT IS ABSOLUTELY critical!