Transmission goes to neutral

[paullfisher]

I have a '00 Explorer XLT V8 AWD with 26K miles on it and lately it has been acting strangely.

After being driven for a while, you go and park it. Come out a little while later (30 minutes or so) and start it back up. Put it in Reverse and it doesn't engage. Sit there for a while, still nothing. Put in Drive, nothing. Do this a few times and it finally will engage.

Another symptom is that after being driven a while, you stop for a traffic light. When you step on the gas, it revs like it is in neutral and then slams into gear. Drives OK while you keep it moving.

Yesterday, my wife was driving it down the street and it just seemed to go into neutral. She pulled over and turned off the motor. About 30 minutes later, it would go again. Today, everything seems fine.

Since I'm still under warranty, I have an appointment for Monday at my friendly local Ford dealer.

Anyone have any clues? Is this common? I've had this vehicle 2 months.

I have checked the tranny fluid and it is full to the full mark when hot.

 

[TPLYNCH]

That doesn't sound to good. If it was just while parked and trying to shift into gear, I would think possible problem with the shifter linkage, but if it not engaging while in drive from a stop, I'd say you have a serious problem. Have you checked the fluid level while engine warm and running on a flat surface??? Make sure it isn't overfilled or underfilled and doesn't smell burnt or look dark in color......

 

[Jason_25]

Paul are you the original owner?

If not, the previous owner must have really absued it to make it slip like that.

If so, then maybe it's just a fluke.

Generally the V8 explorer trannies are very strong.

 

[paullfisher]

I bought it used 11/2001 with 23K miles on it.