I checked transmission fluid level in a 1994 Aerostar and it is bone dry.Does not appear that has been leaking underneath anywhere and of coarse it is shifting real hard.What type of transmission fluid do I use?

 

my guess is A4LD, rectangular pan, modulator valve on the right rear corner? Use dextron MERCON fluid, Gigger

 

You didn't mention if this was yours or somebody else's, but pull the rubber hose off the modulator and see if it is wet. It's possible that the tranny oil is being sucked up through this hose and being burned in the engine because of a ruptured transmission modulator.

 

Ah yes, I had a similar problem with my Aero about two years ago. The transmission fluid kept disappearing with no leaking on the ground. The modulator diaphragm had ruptured and the fuel injection system was sucking fluid and burning it up. I would go through maybe two quarts each year till it was repaired. I did post the info on this site. It wasn't too hard to repair at all and the cost was under $30.00. Be carefull with a center pin that needs to be re-used when removing the modulator, don't loose it!!!

I re-used the existing hose attached to the modulator and all has been working fine since.

 

More specifically, use Mercon V fluid. Brand doesn't matter much, just so long as it meets the standards. Do not use the multi-transmission formula, get one that specifically says it is Mercon V. If it says it works on imports, Chryslers, GM, and Ford, that is the multi-vehicle blend and you should not use it.

The modulator would also be my guess. The modulator is actually considered a maintenance item, Ford recommends replacing it at every other fluid change, roughly about 60,000 miles. Its a low cost part, so it doesn't hurt to replace it before it fails, and if the fluid runs low, it can cause a lot of expensive damage to the transmission.

 

as a tranny man since 1977 I have noticed that hardly anybody even thinks about the tranny untill they have trouble, better $ for me, Gigger