Transmission issues when starting to move - Help please!

[pachakutek]

Hi there,
I think I have a very specific problem...

The truck seems to shift without problems once it gets moving. However, sometimes it doesn't want to start moving. What I mean is that: from a stopped situation I put the lever on "D", step on the gas, and the truck behaves like in Neutral - it doesn't move. After the engine reving a bit the truck abruptely shifts into gear and it start moving. Started happening sporadically, but it's getting more frequent now.

Once it started moving no abnormal behavior is observed. Only when starting from a stopped position.

What can it be the problem? I was tempted to change the transmission fluid (no idea when was last done), but I heard scary stories about changing the fluid in older cars (massive slippage due to the slick new fluid).

Any help/opinions will be greatly appreciated!

The truck:
Ford Explorer 1992 - V6 4.0 4x4 Eddie Bauer
182K mi - Auto transmission

 

[dtwman0521]

Possibility

I'm not sure if you have tried this yet but One time mine was doing the same thing. It turned out that I had a leak and my fluid was just low. If you haven't already give that a try first.

 

[rileyrs]

is the fluid black/grey, or is there any pink left?
if there is still pink, then its fine to change it.
but if its really black i wouldnt touch it.
the seels will be old and cracked, and if you put new fluid in, it will slip, and then quickly swell the seels and they will break, and then you need a rebuild.

many ppl have this problem, the a4ld, isnt necessarily a horrible tranny, but if not cared for well, its gonna fail.

anyway, if you have some pink left in your fluid, hurry and change it, and hope for the best!

 

[pachakutek]

Well... It turns out it was low too.... I put about 2 quarts of Mercon ATF. So far so good, but need to drive a bit more to see if it really fix it.
Thanks!!