Wierd Trans. Trouble

[anothergoatherd]

One day out of the blue, the car would not move in (D) drive or (1) low 1.
It starts off fine in (2) low 2 and it goes into (R) reverse just fine. If I start off in low 2 and then put it in drive after about 15 mph then it works fine in drive until I get below 15 mph then it just revs.

The shop did some tests on it and said the OverDrive switch was getting an unussually high amount of current, so they changed the swith, but that didnt help. Now they are saying since thats not the problem then it has to be the computer. Since thier not 100% sure of that they dont want to start changing stuff out, and making me pay for it, when thier not sure if that will fix the problem or not.

Does this problem sound familiur to anyone?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RiverRat]

"The shop did some tests on it and said the OverDrive switch was getting an unussually high amount of current"

Huh I'd like to know what test they did to come to that conclusion. The computer should be fine too.

 

[Glacier991]

NEVER rebuild a computer controlled trannie where the idea is put out there that "it must be the PCM", without having the shop put it on a tester to run it unhooked and substitute the "tester" for the PCM. EVERY FORD dealer is equipped to do this test. BEFORE you even go further.

Proper use requires that you run the engine and trannie for codes and fix the codes, if any, first. It CAN be the PCM, but in practice that is less common than a bad solenoid, or a bad DTR sensor, or other electrical problem. On the mechanical side it could be valve body screws loose, a separator plate damaged or its gasket damaged, or worst case a clutch problem. (rebuild time, but low probability).


My money is on the valve body/solenoid side of the house.

 

[anothergoatherd]

Well after driving it around for 9 months, it finally went out. No drive, low1, low 2, or reverse.

So now my next question is: Is it better to rebuild, replace or buy new (can you buy a new tranny for an old Explorer?)

 

[anothergoatherd]

I found a couple use trannys. One is $800 and has 66,000 miles on it and another is $400 and has 95,000 miles on it.

Im still not sure if its a better idea to rebuild this one or buy a used one?

 

[Glacier991]

My thoughts on junkyard transmissions have been well expressed elsewhere, but for the record, they are a crapshoot. Many are there because that is where they belong! Would you buy a mail order bride (at all) but especially if you had never seen a picture?

"Now heeere's a nice little trannie, great personality!"