93 Explorer Transmission issues
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93 Explorer Transmission issues
Recently I have been noticing some hesistation in the shifting when truck is cold. It is most noticible between 1st and 2nd gear, and trying to kick into O/D. During the shift from 1st to 2nd, the trans sounds like its working a little hard, and then after about 3 seconds of that sound (the sound is steady the whole time) it shifts into 2nd. The shift is smooth, it just feels like its straining. The shiftng seems off for all the gears though. They all feel like they're straining a little. That is just the most noticible. O/D is a little different. When I push the pelt down to go into O/D, it jolts into gear. I went by a Trans shop, and was told that the only thing to do was to have the trans rebuild. Has anyone else had this problem? Is rebuilding the trans the only solution, or is there another? A trans rebuild is a little more than I can afford right now.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
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try flushing the atf first. it sounds like the fliud is really old and thick. clunking going into od is more or less normal. this is due to the tcc staying locked when going from drive to od. try letting off the gas or tapping the brake when shifting into od
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia
I agree. Have the tranny flushed. Take it to a shop that will do a flush and not just drop the pan. Should run about $80. That will help the shifting. I also agree that the roughness is about par for the course with the 93. I have had mine flushed twice and it is still very crisp in shifting.
Eric
Eric
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i have a 93 explorer and i have had it for 7 years and have gone threw 3 transmissions. i think for this year explorer they were made poorly. i am having the same problem all over again and each time it goes it costs over 1,000.00 to rebuild. i just bought a 96 explorer and i hope i dont go threw the same crap like the 93.
this time when the 93 tranny goes its gonna stay that way and ill just part it out.
this time when the 93 tranny goes its gonna stay that way and ill just part it out.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Virginia
Wow,
Sorry to hear about the misfortune. I have never heard any specific issues with the tranny in the 93. I have had mine for 181,000 miles and have only had a flush. Never had the first bit of trouble. Good luck with the new one.
Eric
Sorry to hear about the misfortune. I have never heard any specific issues with the tranny in the 93. I have had mine for 181,000 miles and have only had a flush. Never had the first bit of trouble. Good luck with the new one.
Eric
Elder User
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I have a '93 as well and went thru 2 tranny's before I found out that my radiator was leaking coolant into the coolant lines and getting into the tranny and eating up the planetaries and other not so inexpensive things.
John
John
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Texas
pharney --
Suggest you check the vacuum shift modulator located on right side of tranny next to the cat converter. This is a common failure point on older Expl's with high mileage.
If the vacuum diaphragm has failed you'll find evidence of transmission fluid in the vacuum line. This line connects to the modulator and runs up the firewall to a vacuum connector "tree" located near rear of the intake manifold on driver's side. It's a metal line with short lengths of rubber hose at both ends.
Recently replaced one on my '91 (now owned by my grandson). It's a bear to get at because of tight quarters between the trans and cat, but the good news is that the modulator can be bought at places like AutoZone for under $15. If you do it yourself, be sure you don't lose the small rod that fits in the trans end of the new modulator -- it has to be reused.
That fixed a shift problem similar to what you describe. Our '91 is still going strong on the orig trans at 135K miles.
Good luck,
Stu33
--------------------------------------------------
Current SUV '02 Expl EB, 4.6L V8, 3.73LS
Suggest you check the vacuum shift modulator located on right side of tranny next to the cat converter. This is a common failure point on older Expl's with high mileage.
If the vacuum diaphragm has failed you'll find evidence of transmission fluid in the vacuum line. This line connects to the modulator and runs up the firewall to a vacuum connector "tree" located near rear of the intake manifold on driver's side. It's a metal line with short lengths of rubber hose at both ends.
Recently replaced one on my '91 (now owned by my grandson). It's a bear to get at because of tight quarters between the trans and cat, but the good news is that the modulator can be bought at places like AutoZone for under $15. If you do it yourself, be sure you don't lose the small rod that fits in the trans end of the new modulator -- it has to be reused.
That fixed a shift problem similar to what you describe. Our '91 is still going strong on the orig trans at 135K miles.
Good luck,
Stu33
--------------------------------------------------
Current SUV '02 Expl EB, 4.6L V8, 3.73LS
Last edited by Stu33; Oct 28, 2003 at 04:51 AM.
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Elder User
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From: Cincinnati
Agree with the vacuum modulator
When they first start to fail, they fill up with fluid and are slow to react due to a small oriface on the modulator. Depending on the miles, the speed governor gets sticky and delays the 1>shift. If you replace the filter it should be changed to the one that fits a 97 5R55E. New fluid will release a lot of sludge over the next couple of months and without this improved filter, the valve body will clog up. If you are handy there are a number of things you can do to get this running a lot better without a rebuild like the low/reverse servo. Vacuum modulator is easier to get at by removing the seat and going through the access panel. Forget any advice given by a transmission shop.
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194 Explorer w/160,00, The problem is when shifting to reverse it will hesitate for about 10-20 seconds, Before it will finally go to reverse, When it warms up it gets better,, Filter? Tranny going out,, The rest of gears shift perfect
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Whenever you have these transmissions flushed, the fluid changed, or worked on in ANY manner, have them install an in-line filter and change it yearly.
Wix transmission/PS filter #58964
200 psi working, pressure relieved, magnetic
change yearly or 12000 miles
Ford equivalent filter kit #XC3Z-7B155-AA
filter alone #XC3P-7B155-BA
When the modulator fails make sure that they clean out the vacuum lines to the engine manifold and replace the rubber end fittings on the line. If you don't the rubber parts will swell from the oil and the engine will develop vacuum leaks about a week or so later. This happened to me even after I told them to do this, -they did not clean out the vacuum lines!
Wix transmission/PS filter #58964
200 psi working, pressure relieved, magnetic
change yearly or 12000 miles
Ford equivalent filter kit #XC3Z-7B155-AA
filter alone #XC3P-7B155-BA
When the modulator fails make sure that they clean out the vacuum lines to the engine manifold and replace the rubber end fittings on the line. If you don't the rubber parts will swell from the oil and the engine will develop vacuum leaks about a week or so later. This happened to me even after I told them to do this, -they did not clean out the vacuum lines!
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Torque1st
Administrator
So you are saying the tranny filter and fliud needs changed? Modulator has effect on the reverse not dropping in quick? I am confused, You are replying back to change modulator? Etc...
Thanks
Bob
Administrator
So you are saying the tranny filter and fliud needs changed? Modulator has effect on the reverse not dropping in quick? I am confused, You are replying back to change modulator? Etc...
Thanks
Bob
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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bobbydrums53-
Tranny fluid flush is always the first thing to try when you have a problem like yours.
Whenever the fluid is changed etc install an in-line filter like the one I listed.
I was replying to a number of the points brought up here.
Tranny fluid flush is always the first thing to try when you have a problem like yours.
Whenever the fluid is changed etc install an in-line filter like the one I listed.
I was replying to a number of the points brought up here.
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Torque1st
thank you,
so this needing flushed does not effect the forward gears? I have had several autos with shifting problems, Forwards and reverse, It was the filter, But these were older autos, These new electronic shifts are really confusion,, DAHHH!!!, This Explorer is supposed to have a rebuild in June of this year, My wife uses it on a rural mail delivery, We have not driven it much as of yet, But it did shift perfect fo about 4oo miles then the reverse is messing up, I had to rev it up for a while then it finally kicked it reverse, Then after this happens it will do ok,,, Thats why its confusion...
Thank You Torque1st
Bob in Indiana and snow in the forcast for Mon..
thank you,
so this needing flushed does not effect the forward gears? I have had several autos with shifting problems, Forwards and reverse, It was the filter, But these were older autos, These new electronic shifts are really confusion,, DAHHH!!!, This Explorer is supposed to have a rebuild in June of this year, My wife uses it on a rural mail delivery, We have not driven it much as of yet, But it did shift perfect fo about 4oo miles then the reverse is messing up, I had to rev it up for a while then it finally kicked it reverse, Then after this happens it will do ok,,, Thats why its confusion...
Thank You Torque1st
Bob in Indiana and snow in the forcast for Mon..
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Filters are very important in hydraulic systems. The internal filter on most automatic transmissions are entirely inadequate for the job. Plus they are in the wrong place, a suction filter is a bad idea.
The new fluid can free a sticky valve etc.
The new fluid can free a sticky valve etc.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 886
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From: Cincinnati
So is it rebuilt or what
If it wasn't rebuilt it is the low/reverse servo. Look at www.atcdg.com in tech section A4LD notes. Does it make sense that a rebuilt transmission needs a flush after just a couple of months. I can believe that a transmission guy can't put put seals in right. These aren't the brightest people in the world. I rebuilt an A4LD that was "rebuilt" by an expert and found five mistakes he made.