Tranny Problems, no gears at all after warm up | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

Tranny Problems, no gears at all after warm up

Eli 91 XLT

Member
Joined
July 31, 2003
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
City, State
Central Valley, Cali
Year, Model & Trim Level
'91 XLT
Newbie here and I've searched around a little, but hopefully I can find a quick answer (doubtful). I always told myself I'd never buy a Ford, but becarefull what you say. In march, I purchased a 91 explorer xlt auto. Just last week, while driving home in scorching weather 100deg.+ I noticed what seemed like a slipping tranny. I kept driving a couple miles and then it just went out. I pulled over, let it sit for a few minutes and then started it up and would run fine for about 1/2-1 mile then same thing. I finally made it home doing that over and over.

The tranny runs fine until the motor warms up then NO GEARS AT ALL, none. Checked oil level and appears to be on the high side and still red in color. So here are my questions:

1.What type of tranny do I have? (auto with 5 gears, it shifts 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 is very subtle/small, then a big 5th gear) sound right?

2. Should I try changing oil/filter (it's been about 25k since last change according to records) or is the problem elsewhere?

Thanks in advance, I appreciate your help.

Any big time fisherman in here??
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year or try it out for $5 a month.

Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





your transmission is an a4ld it is a 4 speed automatic.....

sounds as you need a new one, or a rebuild att the very least... sounds exactly like what happened to our lincoln, and it had a blown tranny... would work fine when cold, but 10 minutes later, would move at all.....
 






Something should show up in the pan.

Have you tried it in manual 1 & 2 or D? Yes, operation in D is different than OD. Did you measure the fluid level with the engine running? it is normally higher with the engine off. It has to fill up the TC so the level drops. Short of pump damage causing low pressure, the problem is mechanical. If you are adventurous the problem is likely in the OD section which is easy to get at.
 






Thanks guys

Jim, it's not the original tranny so I couldn't say 100% if it's an a4ld more lilke 95% but I swear it goes thru 4 gears then into overdrive, right?

Opera, I've tried EVERY GEAR. It sucked being stuck in the middle of nowhwere at dusk with my 2 boys. Every gear did NOT work.
Also, I drove it into the garage and let it sit for a few hours. I wanted to check it cold as it should read lower when cold, right? Opera, I'll check it warm today to see where the level is at. Maybe it's low in fluid? It was above mark where it should be when warm. It does have a slow tranny fluid leak. Maybe the previous owner put too much fluid.

I am a do it your-selfer and have done things like timing-belt, cv-axles, clutches and simpler things. I've never mess with autos though. I have the haynes manual and have read through it a little.

Thanks guys/gals. Any more ideas is greatly appreciated. If you guys feel I need a new tranny, who/what do you recommend? (I'm a penny pincher so keep that in mind :D )

The reason I asked if there were any cali fisherman is because I have a fishing forum for california here. www.anglernet.net
(Don't want to spam or anything, Moderators you can edit/delete this, no biggie) thanks again.
 






Re: Thanks guys

[n/m) sorry
 






Re: Thanks guys

Originally posted by Eli 91 XLT
Jim, it's not the original tranny so I couldn't say 100% if it's an a4ld more lilke 95% but I swear it goes thru 4 gears then into overdrive, right?

Opera, I've tried EVERY GEAR. It sucked being stuck in the middle of nowhwere at dusk with my 2 boys. Every gear did NOT work.
Also, I drove it into the garage and let it sit for a few hours. I wanted to check it cold as it should read lower when cold, right? Opera, I'll check it warm today to see where the level is at. Maybe it's low in fluid? It was above mark where it should be when warm. It does have a slow tranny fluid leak. Maybe the previous owner put too much fluid.

Yes its a 4speed trans with a LOCK UP torque converter. that shift you feel after 4th gear is the converter clutches locking up. You have the A4LD.

The fluid is checked hot with the trans in park, parking brake on, and engine running.

If its not the fluid, check the linkage.

Possible the valve body is loose and it doesnt show until everything is warmed up and hot. If you can pull the pan to change the filter it may be worth a shot at checking the valve body and gaskets - torqueing them to specs.

After that I would then suspect internal seals or the pump. A trans shop should be able to pressure test it and let you know.

Good Luck
 






Mine is the exact opposite, only goes into gear when warm!
 






Originally posted by blackcrowe
Mine is the exact opposite, only goes into gear when warm!

Thats internal seals hardened or not sealing until warmed up and pliable. Reseal/rebuild is in order.
 






Update

Thanks guys
Called a few different ford dealers and spoke to their service advisors. Must say, all of them gave me all sorts of things to check 1st prior to bringing it in, guess even they don't wanna touch it . As you guys know, it has 2 marks on tranny dipstick where you can check it cold or hot. I've checked it when it was cold and marked fine. They told me never check it when it's cold. The marker is way off and especially out in the hot central valley where I live.
So last night with the cooler weather, I drove the ford around the block a few times to get the tranny warmed up to check the fluid. I kept driving around and I couldn't get the tranny to stop functioning like before in the hot weather. Checked the fluid and was on the low side. I didn't have a funnel small enough to reach where the fill hole is so I'll fill it and see what happens (Is ther another place to pour tranny fluid from (it was dark and I couldn't see last night)
 






Still no luck

It wasn't extemely low on fluid. I topped it off with no positive results. Will have to take it in for a final confirmation on its death :mad: Bummer, can anyone point me in a good direction for rebuilt a4ld tranny's?????? Thanks.
 






I had the same problem with my '93. It sounds like you need a rebuild. You should have an "A4LD" as previously mentioned. What usually occurs is the lockup converter throws trash (metal shavings) through the transmission causing several problems. It sludges up the valve body causing sticky valves and also wears clutch surfaces. A temporary fix may be to change the fluid and remove and clean or replace the valve body. But you should have very good mechanical ability to attempt such a feat. A manual from "ATSG" (American Transmission Service Group) is very helpful and is what I used to rebuild mine. It also has a small troubleshooting section. I think I paid around $16.00. But beware, any metal found in the pan is usually everywhere, including the torque converter, clutch surfaces, housing, pump and also cooler lines and transmission cooler. So, you may be better off doing a complete rebuild. I bought a modified valve body kit and non lockup converter which gave me a nice firm shift at 6000 rpm full throttle. The name of the shop was ACT transmissions and they were in California somewhere. Sorry I dont have more info on the shop, but you may be able to find them. I spoke with a guy name Sal. He was very knowledgable on A4LD's. Hope this helps some.
 






Update 9-2

Once again, I appreciate all your help. Some of this is now making sense. It's amazing what a little 'net research will teach you in a few days.

I changed the fluid/filter. The fluid did not smell burnt, but was rather thin. There was a little sludge at the bottom of the pan and small shavings in the mix at the bottom of the pan. Since this is my 1st auto tranny job, I have no clue as to what "normal" wear & tear looks like as far as the oil goes. I have no clue what to look for in an auto tranny.

Results: NO O/D. All other gears seem to be working as before. I can feel 3rd gear "lock up" but then no O/D.

I really feel like I can tear this bad boy down and rebuild it myself, but not sure as to how much I can do without needing to do any machining or if I need any expensive tools. I've torn things down and placed things back with ease as long as I have a good guide.
 






I agree with you on the web help. I have fixed many problems on my explorers with the help of this message board. They say two heads are better than one, but hundreds of heads are invaluable!
Anyway, if you are mechanically inclined, you shouldnt have any problems rebuilding it yourself. Buy the manual I told you about. As far as special tools, you will need the following, inch lbs. torque wrench, foot lbs. tork wrench, depth micrometer, snap ring pliers and a good set of angled feeler gauges. You also should have and air compressor to check pistons. I cant think of any others but may have missed some. The book may list what tools you need and I read it three times like they recommended before starting.
You also need to have an extra center section that you drill a hole in and use the depth mic to measure the back clearances. I dont know if rebuild kits come with new thrust washers or not, but I bought all sizes there were (Ford garage). The biggest thing is everything must be extremely clean! Good luck!
 






By the way, the OD and lockup converter are actuated by electrical solenoid mounted on the valve body inside the pan. You should check those solenoids also.
 






selenoid

How much do these selnoids run? Just wondering if it's worth swapping out. I'm also gonna change the oil again since I know all of it wasn't taken out during the oil change. I was gonna post a pic of what the pan looked like, but will have to host it elsewhere.
 






Getting desperate

Well, I need this fixed asap. Doing alot of research and I can't afford $80/hr and take it in. Local dealer wanted $120 to check it, most lickely run $500 to fix anything internal. I've also asked for help HERE so any help is gladly appreciated.
 






Back
Top