ok so here it goes... my 92 explorer has trans trouble. first off, it will not let go of the gear when you release the accelerator, alot like a manual trans when you release the gas but don't push down the clutch. it does this in every gear. Also, it does not shift into 4th gear about half the time, so even with OD i am spinnin about 3000 rpm at 65 mph instead of 2000 when it does shift. i can't seem to make it shift or not shift into fourth by differing driving styles, it just seems to have a mind of its own. and lastly, it takes 5-10 seconds to engage reverse after i shift. once it is in gear it is fine, it just takes it's sweet a$$ time doing it. i figure i need a rebuild, but i don't know what could cause these symptoms and i want to make sure they fix it all when i have it done. i am also wondering about upgraded seals, shift kits, etc.... anything to make it a stronger trans.

on another topic... i was thinking about putting a high flow intake on, but the kkm and others like it all pull air from inside the engine compartment... so you get a higher flow, but it is hot air which makes less HP... so is it worth it?

 

I'm no expert on trannys but it sounds alot like your torque converter may have a problem. Usually bad trannys slip alot, not hold gears. Have you checked the fluid level when it's hot? I'm sure others will come along with other info for ya...

 

You may not need a full rebuild but it sounds like overdrive is gone. This happened to me, and I ended up having a full rebuild before I found this and other explorer sites that discuss these problems. If you are willing to do the research and possibly do the work yourself, you could end up saving quite a bit of money.

 

I have a CHEAP EASY (less than $50 total) solution to the delayed reverse engagement that might help some of the other problems except OD. I wrote on the above mentioned site and it is also on this site. Search low/reverse. You have probably lost the overdrive and fillrd the valve body with some metal. What is the color of the fluid. If you are adventurous, this is an easy transmission to work on. Once the transmission is out of the car you can typically fix the OD problems in less than an hour and under $100.

 

the OD still works, it definatley kicks in when i shift from drive into OD, but the rpm vs. speed when in OD and fourth doesn't work is the same as when in drive and 4th gear is working. another thing that i have been noticing in the higher gears, and especially OD, is if i let go of the gas pedal, and then step on it again even if it is an easy acceleration it jumps down a gear and then back up. sometimes it is only in the lower gear for a few seconds before it shifts up... it seems to be pretty rough on the trans... is this because of loose belts? i have never done any trans work, so whatever you can tell me would be great.

 

This is a three speed with overdrive. Overdrive is the fourth gear. For every .75 turn of the engine, the output turns once. What many people experience as another gear is the lockup converter in the torque converter. This couples the engine directly to the transmission for an engine drop of about 300 rpm. You can test this by driving down the highway at a steady speed of 60. Then with your other foot, lightly press on the brake. Just enough to trip the switch. This should inhibit overdrive and the rpm will jump up.