Hello all ... I am new to the transmission forum ... I usually hang out in the RANGER forum. But, I have a serious problem with my Ranger tranny, NEED HELP NOW!! It is a 1985 2.8 V6 2WD with A4LD tranny. I wrote a letter to a friend, but I would like to get some input from a few experts in this forum also. The letter is as follows;

Hey Rob,
Do you remember me?? I'm amp17757 from the Ranger FTE forum. You and I communicated about a year ago about the A4LD. I am in a desperate situation, and was hoping to be able to "PICK YOUR BRAIN ONE AGAIN"! PLEASE REPLY ROB!!!
As you know, these things have a lock-up torque converter. As I understand it, the lock-up mechanism is not activated unless and until the transmission shifts into 4th gear. My tranny has been defective from the get-go (bought it in Dec 1999, no 4th gear, no lock-up). But the first 3 gears have worked fine all this time. Now, all of a sudden, out of the blue, my torque converter has decided to lock up, but it won't unlock! I was driving home from work last night, and it locked up, and as I came to a stop, it wouldn't unlock. It stalled the engine. It was a miracle I made it home. This morning, I drove it to work, because I pretty much had no other choice. It was STILL LOCKED UP THIS MORNING! I managed to get it going, since I live on a hill ... I was able to drift a little before shifting into gear. I drive 15 minutes to get to work. I was praying passionately to The Lord that I would not have to stop anywhere, or I might not get going again. My prayers were answered, I didn't have to stop anywhere. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed that the TQ had finally UNLOCKED! I was able to park my truck in a space on an incline, so that in case it does this again, I can coast out of the space before shifting into gear.
I desperately need to know TWO THINGS;
FIRST - I know that there is an electrical connector that triggers the lock-up mechanism ... PLEASE TELL ME EXACTLY WHERE THIS CONNECTOR IS, SO THAT I CAN DISCONNECT IT!!
SECOND - Is there any remote possibility that this thing locked up due to a MECHANICAL failure, rather than an electrical or electronic failure?? Is it possible for it to lock and unlock arbitrarily even with the connector removed??
I am in a desperate situation Rob. Any light you could shed on the subject would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE BUD!!
SINCERELY,
Mike

What do yall think??? HELP ME!!!!

 

Yes, I know, this is a long post ... sorry 'bout that. But please help...

 

Mike, no 4th gear and no lockup is probably a bad solenoid, or no power to the solenoid. The plug for the wiring harness is on the transmission. Its the only electrical connector on it. Un-plug it and see if it works.

Now, the solenoid could also fail in the "on" position too which would cause it to stay locked. However, my guess is there is something more wrong which is causing the clutch to lockup without the solenoid. This is a hard failure inside the transmission.

A final note on A4LD converter clutches. If you drive your truck without lockup working you will overheat the transmission and burn it up. Short trips in the lower gears only will not cause this problem, but any amount of time on the highway at cruise speeds will.

steve

 

Steve, THANKS SO MUCH! So far, you're the only person to offer insight.

The minor problems I have experienced are RIGHT IN LINE with what you said. I use this truck for short trips, and it's no problem at all. However, in the summertime, if I drive more than half an hour or so, it starts to leak. The longer I drive, the worse it leaks. I know for sure it is heat related, becaue in the winter, on bitter cold days, I can drive almost indefinitely without losing so much as a drop of fluid.

So, the "hard failure" inside the transmission could cause this thing to lock up again, even if I pull the connector off?? DARN!! I guess that pretty much says I'm outa business. Well, thanks for your honesty. Better that I didn't find out the hard way.

Any other thoughts???