I expect that the person you found to inspect the modulator etc. was competant enough to check the hoses at both ends of the tube for not only being "in place" but also being "in good shape"??
Cracked hose will give you the symptoms you have mentioned.
Once the vehicle does up shift into higher gears and you let off the gas with out hitting the brakes, do you feel a bit of a shift shock when the transmission automatically downshifts as the speed reduces i.e. 4th to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd?

 

I think they were competent enough. Sometimes I wonder, have had some bad mechanics through the years. No, I do not feel anything when I do what you said, it only acts up when I have to stop and then try and take off again and get to a higher gear. As you said it sounds like the modulator valve hoses. I do hear a whining noise while I am driving, but as far as having problems except the up shift is all I am experiencing. One question, how much transmission fluid does it take in this type of transmission. The man who put in the seals only added 4 quarts.

 

to all of you whom have helped me in the past. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!
To let you all know how things have gone so far on my van. Well, I am still in the same boat. Had a heater hose bust so took it in to a mechanic, and while he was fixing that, I told him to check out my transmission and let me know what the problem was. Told him what you guys had told me and he did not seem to interested. Anyway he told me my transmission was shot and that I needed it rebuilt or needed a new one. Couldn't afford the 1500 he was going to charge me. So, looked around and found a rebuit one and had it put on along with a water pump which just so happened to go out the day before I was supposed to put van in shop for transmission work. Got everything done and got van back yesterday and guess what, am still having the same problems. Transmission will not upshift, but now it won't go into second. Before it was third. I can upshift manually and it runs fine. But if I have to stop I have to move shifter and start upshifting all over again. After I get it into overdrive on a main highway it runs fine, no problems slowing down, just when I stop and start up again. What could be the problem? I am getting so tired of these mechanics here, the one that put the transmission in told me to take it to another man whom is supposed to know more about transmissions. I would at least like to know what it could be. I am still thinking that I had a bad modular valve or the pin fell out. But how do I get someone to listen to me? Please help. Lila

 

Is this a Ford dealer you are working with or a transmission shop? Sounds like this mechanic has given up already and is trying to sell you something expensive. I'd say that's a sign that you've reached the end of his expertise. I'm not a transmission expert, but when someone starts talking about rebuild or replace, a red flag should go up. How many miles do you have on this 93 van? Has it been maintained regularly? I'm sure these other folks know better, but a transmission rebuild these days is not a $400 job. These transmissions are complex, but yours may not be electronically controlled. If it is, what about a diagnostic?

 

It has over 200000 miles on it and it has been maintained regularly, used it in my work and had to keep it up. I am sure what you say is right. I am in a new place and don't know anyone here, just relying on word of mouth. Beginning to think there aren't any good mechanics anymore. This new place the mechanic is sending me, is supposed to know about transmissions. I sure hope so, that is all they do. I just hate that I have spent so much money and still have the same problem. If it turns out to be the modulator valve, there will be one red hot woman here and not what they would want to see. I have just about had enough. No one will listen to me. Just like getting the water pump and belts put on, now the van is making a sound it never did before. sort of a gurgling sound and acts like it is going to stall when idling. I think they did not hook something up right or forgot to hook something up. But I do not know what I am talking about. I know my van, and it did not make that sound or act that way before.
But what is a woman to do when she can't do it herself. Sure wish I had of taken mechanics in school. lol

 

That stalling is a vacum leak somewhere. You can spray some throttle body cleaner around the intake tube and vacum hoses to find it. It could also be your tranny problem too. If that hose that runs to it pops off it will stall at idle and make your tranny act funny.

 

Leaking vacuum hoses can be a bitch. They can even do stunts like only leak when they are cold, or warm, or Tuesday. A 5 year old hose is an old hose. Might be worth changing the inch of hose that is on each end of that modulator line for some new pieces. Don't forget the top end. A cheap check anyway.

 

Does anyone of us live near Lila? If so it sure would be nice during this Holiday season to check out her van so she is not given the run around so bad.

 

I live in Bryan/College Station, Texas

 

I live in Dallas, TX.

She lives in Texas I know that much

 

I finally found a mechanic to look at the van. Decided to wait on the transmission shop, wanted vacuum hose checked first. This guy was recommended by a reliable source, so felt good in taking it there. What he found was a vacuum leak and fixed that and that stopped the rough running motor and the dying. The transmission problem is more serious. It has the wrong transmission in it. It is an electronically controlled transmission and mine isn't electronically controlled. So, now is the problem of what to do. The guy who put the transmission in isn't willing to do anything about it, and was told that I would just have to upshift manually. Does that hurt the transmission to do so? I have run out of funds to work on the van for awhile. So, will have to settle for it the way it is. Am not very happy, but what is a woman to do? Just thought I would let everyone know what is happening so far.
Thanks guys for all your help in the past. I really appreciate it.
Thanks again
Lila