Occasionally when it begins to shift into the next gear (second or third gear) it slips. I can let go of the accelerator for a couple seconds and it's fine and go into the next gear. Sometimes you can hear a clunk sound when it catches. Also every time I try to gun it, it slips. Also if I brake from a high enough speed it won't be in a gear the next time I try to press the accelerator. I've had a code reader on it and there are no codes. I've also noticed rarely I'll see overdrive light flash quickly on the dash.

I had a 98 Explorer have some of the same symptoms from a bad speed sensor but this seems more than a bad speed sensor IMO.

 

when was the transmission fluid changed ?

have you confirmed that the level is correct ?

there is no dip stick, you have to check fluid and add fluid thru the drain plug.. I would guess you might be a quart low.

 

Thank you. I'll get it checked.

 

I took it to a shop and had them do a flush and fill. The guy said 6 quarts came out and he ended up putting 8 back in. It shifts a little tighter but the same symptoms are there so far. I looked up how many quarts it should hold and some say around 13 and others say around 15. So if I'm still getting the same symptoms is something else wrong or they didn't put enough back in.

 

First off, did you check what the trans fluid looked like and smelled like? If not, did the mechanic comment that the oil smelled burnt or looked dark?
The torque converter never drains completely. Thats the reason the mechanic only needed 8 quarts. Your tranny is likely a closed system (no dip stick), which means its more difficult to set a proper level. That trans needs to be checked at a specific temp to get it filled properly. I'd have the mechanic double check the level. Its not difficult once you've done it a few times, but if this mechanic wasn't familiar with your trans I could see why it may not have gotten filled properly. If the problem continues you may be looking at a rebuild of the trans.
You should be able to check the system yourself . That, for me is the only way to be sure. Even then there is a learning curve involved. You should pay close attention to how it shifts, cold and hot.
Good luck
Jcris

 

Bought our '02 new and I thought that 5-speed automatic was the smoothest transmission I'd seen when it was new. Eventually, it did require a rebuild, however, after many miles, maybe 150K. That's where you're headed. But, in the meantime, you might consider adding some Lucas Oil Transmission Fix to the fluid. It'll be hard to get in because of the closed system, and it's very thick, but it could help extend the life of the transmission until you can get it rebuilt.