So about a week ago, I noticed that my engine was running higher RPMs than it should be in OD. I didn't think much of it at the time because of the AC usage. Then, this past Saturday, I was driving and as it got up to about 40-45 mph There was a jerk and then a high pitched kind of whine while driving. I downshifted to regular Drive and it was fine. Checked the ATF level and it was a bit low. I added about 1/2 quart. Drive works fine, L 1 & 2 also are fine, reverse is fine, but if in OD, when it gets up around 40 I start hearing a whine and no reduction in RPMs.
Vehicle info: 92 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4. 4.0L V6, Automatic transmission. 200K+ miles.

Had no problems with the tranny before this, and no real warning signs. Has the OD band been obliterated? Will this lead to problems with other gears if not fixed right away? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you really manage to get 200K+ miles out of the original transmission, or has it been rebuilt once before?
Loss of overdrive is a common complaint on the A4LD. Can be caused by a broken band, or failed seals. Based on the noises and such it is probably inside the transmission, but it could also be caused by a problem in the electronics that control the OD. Maybe check the wiring and such to make sure the PCM can/is talking to the transmission, just in case. Otherwise you're likely looking at a rebuild. Probably something that should be done, because any broken parts that get into the fluid then can get circulated through the transmission, clogging the screen, or depositing themselves in other places causing other problems.

 

sounds like the same problem I have except i have an E4od tranny. every shop that i have taken it to says its the od sprag that is shot requiring a rebuild. but i haven't done it yet and tranny is still working but would not put it off for too long.

 

I agree 200k? That's amazing!!!!

 

I bought the vehicle with about 90K on it, and to the best of my knowledge, the tranny was not rebuilt before that. Just shows what proper maintenance can do for a vehicle. 209K+ to be a little more precise.

Thanks for the replies. Is the rebuild something a mechanically inclined person can do on their own with the right tools and equipment? Anyone attempted this before who isn't a pro?

 

i have heard people on here has rebuilt thier own transmission before. i personnaly have not wanted to attempt it due to time and limited amount of tools. how ever I have some info that might help you if you would like me to email it to you. just let me knw you email address
rebuild is going to run me around $1800 and told it will take 2-3 days

 

Same thing on my 87 B2 w/A4LD. OD gave out with a BIG BANG when it tried to downshift on a steep grade. Thought I had grenaded the converter or broke the driveshaft! Managed to drive it about 250 m home in 1,2,3. Took it to a local shop for diagnosis, pan was full of clutch material. Turns out the OD planetary assm was BROKEN IN HALF!! They can't believe the thing would still go! A testament to the often-criticized A4LD design. I think! Total rebuild with new converter and bunches on replacement hard parts is $1050. I LIKE this shop!

 

I just had to have the A4LD in my 91 explorer totally rebuilt. The only good parts were the Pump & gears everything else was trashed. I beleive I got a good deal at $1300.00 from our local AAMCO shop. 2 days and I will see how she runs. By the way 140,000 miles.

 

I'd say "MrShorty" has hit the proverbial nail on the head and covered all the likely possibilities and warnings as well!

If most of those 200K+ miles has been on the freeway at or near cruising speeds, that's not that many miles. Bear in mind, it's the shifting, that induces the fastest wear on auto-trannies. I'm guessing the most driving was the freeway-commuting type, which would've used 3rd and 4th ('OD') gears, and their controlling mechanism(s) the most.

If your transmission is the A4LD, there IS an externally-accessable OverDrive band adjustment, using the PROPER torque wrench. On the opposite side of the case (passenger-side), is its control servo, also serviceable externally.

However, the whining sound you described makes me think the problem, and its a serious one, is within the OverDrive planetary gearset, which is serviceable ONLY by an 'on-the-bench' teardown. I hate to be a bearer of bad news but, if that gearset has failed catastrophically, as it sounds, a complete rebuild would be mandatory if reliability is desired. Rebuild kits are available on the market for the home mechanic, but they won't include the gears it'll probably need, in this case.

It's too bad for both of us, that my '88 Bronco-II's A4LD probably wouldn't work for you. The project I'm about to undertake (mentioned in the FTE thread I started last month, titled "Automatics Vs. Manuals") will result in several very good leftover parts, and the A4LD, (complete with torque converter and cooler) will probably be one of them up for grabs within the next couple weeks, for whatever I can get, to help recover expenses. It's been rebuilt, around 5500 miles ago, by a highly reputable local transmission shop here in the Portland (OR) area, and has performed SO WELL that it's STILL hard for me to decide whether to keep it, or go back to the Mitsubishi 5-speed manual now in the '84! The automatic is MOST appreciated driving around town, especially in my case having a injury-weakened left knee joint.

Jeez! I think I'm convincing myself to keep the automatic, again!

At any rate, the BEST OF LUCK to you!

 

Hooked-on-4WD......

May be too late for this, but I'm in Oregon and I just had a tranny go out (OD planetary assembly history) in a '90 Aerostar with the 3.0L. If I'm not mistaken, the BII tranny will work in that model year Aerostar. If you still have the A4LD tranny and still wish to sell, post here or email me and let me know.

 

'92BigBronco,

I'm afraid you ARE too late to catch this one. Another FTE member with multiple Bronco-IIs, all apparently having the A4LDs jumped on the opportunity to 'grab' this one just less than a week ago. He was even good enough to help me remove it from the parts-vehicle.

I hope you have success in finding a good replacement or getting a decent price on a rebuild. I highly recommend the latter, for there were about a dozen "recalls" and revisions made on that model, that would most likely be incorporated in a rebuild done by a nationwide and reputable transmission repair shop near you.

The longevity and reliability can be expected to increase with those undates. No doubt it'll be an expensive repair but, if the vehicle is otherwise in good condition, it'll save you money in the long run!

 

Hey, no problem. Thanks for the advice. I will be searching for the updates for this tranny as I plan or rebuilding it myself. This will be my second A4LD overhaul.

Can you recommend any sites for quality hard parts?

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly!!