Greetings all,

Got a 94 Aerostar (XLT) w/ 4 speed OD tranny.

About a week ago, I parked it and left the lights on (probably not worth anything, but giving all info). Came back out later, noticed lights were on and started the van just to make sure it'd start. Started up, engine didn't idle as high as it normally should, so put into reverse to back out and come forward. Put shifter into R and applied light gas, van moved forward. Tried N, applied light gas, and van went forward still.

Checked physical linkage on driver side transmission. The cable and linkage appear to be operating and moving correctly and clicking into place and such, so I'm stumped.

When I turn the van off and put it in neutral, I can roll it just fine with no problem. I rolled it out of the parking space it's in (I live in an apartment complex, we have parking spots, not garages or even covered parking) and drove around the block a few times. Once warmed up, I didn't see a spike in temp. Therefore, I would assume it is safe to drive, albeit carefully. Is this a correct assumption (that I can drive the van on highway, etc)?

I'm virtually positive that I will need to take it in for transmission repairs, but would anybody be able to shed some light on what's happening so a budding car tech (me) might have more information?

I thank you very much in advanced for any information that could be provided. If I'm missing any information, please let me know and I'll post it as soon as I get the message.

Thank you,

Jayson M. Sperling

 

Jayson,

Just saw your post. So, you can't get the transmission into reverse, but all forward gears operate correctly. Do you still have forward gears engaged in neutral? Did you check your transmission fluid level and color? These transmissions can be troublesome with low fluid.

You might need to change the transmission filter and fluid. I'd try this before deciding that you need a transmission overhaul. It's relatively cheap and you can do it yourself. Just get a repair manual for your van and it will detail how it's done.

BTW welcome to the forum. You'll find lots of help and good info here from very knowledgeable users.

Merry Xmas and happy holidays to you and yours,

Ron

 

Thank you very much for your reply.
(my appologies in advanced for the long post)
And thank you for making me feel welcome. I've already been all the way through this section of the forums and have already read and learned a good deal. Very nifty.

Checked the fluid, the colour is redish and I don't see any deposits or anything "odd" that I know of.

I did fail to mention a few things (thought about it all as an afterthought, but the entire Christmas thing has been taking all my attention, what with multiple kids & extended family).

To answer your question: Yes, *all* gears go forward. Park wants to go forward initially (it kinda' jumps when the van is turned on) but stays still. When the shifter is in Neutral or Reverse, and the van is on, the van wants to go forward instead of the correct functions of the indicated gears. Lucky me?

The events leading up to the current events:

Transmission originally seemed to act fine. Gears up and down smoothly, nothing rough about it, and then it started slipping out of gear (even when warm) at slow speeds or when stopped. Had to race the engine a bit and then the transmission would re-engage in 1st and I'd be off and running.

Shortly after this started happening, the van would start shaking at about 38-43 MPH when going steady (even ground, no uphill, etc). Under load (going uphill) the van will exhibit the same shaking characteristics, but at roughly any speed unless I push the gas down further to downshift the transmission. This happens while Drive or Overdrive is selected as my driving gear.

The current events appeared to start after I put the van in park for the night, but the lights were left on. I doubt the lights has anything to do with it, but I don't know for sure.

Came back out, turned van on, didn't sound like it normally should (seemed to be idling really slow, almost as if it were already in gear somehow) while in park. So I revved the engine a bit, and it didn't rev anywhere near where it normally does (I don't have the tach readings ).

Beyond that, the rest is as I've stated.

Thank you again for your time and for reading this long, odd post.

A Merry Christmas and warm holiday season to all.

Jayson M. Sperling

 

Jayson,

Sounds like you have a transmission problem for sure...Could have been low fluid as I had the same "slippage" problem a few months ago...turned out to be loosing fluid from the rear seal caused by bad U-joint...but not shifting into reverse is a wierd one to me...hopefully someone else with greater experience on the trans will post suggestions...I'll keep looking at this thread to see what happens.

Ron

 

Jayson,

Been thinking about your transmission problem...Could you have a vacuum leak? On the automatic transmission there is a vacuum control modulator attached to the transmission on the driver's side. Check to see if the vacuum tube attached to the moduator has come loose or if the vacuum lines going to it are off, cracked or broken. A vacuum leak will cause rough idling and bad performance. Also, I would assume that a loss of vacuum to the modulator would cause shifting problems. I don't know exactly what this vacuum control modulator is supposed to do, but if it has lost it's vacuum supply it may not be allowing to transmission to go into neutral, park, or reverse even though you have moved the shift lever appropriately.

Just a thought. BTW, never feel bad about long posts. The more information you can give us about your vans symptoms, the better chance that someone here can help narrow down the problem.

Ron

 

Jayson,

Just thought I'd see if you have had any success in finding out what's wrong with your transmission.

Ron

 

sperling

Sounds like you have something sticking in the Valve body unit.
The valve is stuck in drive and not releasing. Might try some of the transmission cleaner in it to see if it will clean the gunk out of the valve body.