Hi all,
here is the story first. Drove from seattle to San Diego. 89 3.0L Xl, things went rather well. 70K on the drive train. had the usual hot tranny problems while going along the grapevine pass. 3/4 of the way home I pulled in for gas, everything had been going well with the tranny, Go to put it in reverse and nothing!! put it in 1st to see if that still worked and it did. Searched most of the forum for similar problem and found nothing that is exact. Checked the fluid every other gas stiop and it was good all the way, no color change, its not pretty pink but it has not been burnt. If the car is left to sit for awhile when I first start it it will pause for a few seconds then shift into reverse, and I could back as far as I want, as soon as it heats up reverse is gone when hot i can hear the tranny linkage shift however no reverse. Any reccomendations? I can tell that all other gears are shifting normally.

 

What happens if you put it in Reverse and rev it up. Sounds like you have a valve sticking in the valve body or a problem with the servo piston.

 

Hi, thanx for the reply. I have tried revving it to see in fact if there is some thing stuck, however, no luck. I tried revving it to about mid range and holding it there a few seconds with no luck. I read alot about modulator problems but they dont seem to sound as if that would be the fix, I hate to just start replaceing things blindly. In the next few2 days I suppose check the band tightness and proberbly fluid and filter replacement. I dont know how well a trans cleaner/additive will help. I am still searching the forum for something, kinda sucks having to park everyplace so I wont have to use reverse.

 

I seen this problem before and it was a clogged filter.

 

Well you might be on to something there muffinman, I have had the vehicle for about six months and Ive changed all filters and fluids with the exception of the trans stuff. I will be getting to that hopefully this weekend. I'll keep checking here for advice and post the results as they come about. Thanx

 

Well, changed the fluid and filter in the tranny, no luck wiht reverse. checked the band tightness and that was good/didnt help. any other sugestions???

 

Sounds like a problem my cousin had. The seals are going bad. Time for a rebuild. Sorry...

 

Joe2:

Then I'd pick up a bottle of something like trans-X or something like that. Make sure it's for cleaning sticky valves and gummy stuff in transmissions.
I'd try that, just put it in and run it around for awhile and see if that loosens something up.

 

JTHILL24,
Thanx, I kinda figure some thing is sticking, the tranny works fine in reverse when cold. There was some sludge and grime when I changed the fluid and filter. Knowing how particular hydraulics can be when there is dirt or particles involved leads me to think that maybe some thing is gummed up and as things heat up they expand thus causing fluid to be restricted from its path of flow due to some crud or some thing. I will be at the store today looking for some kinda additive to free things up. My last reort will be to overhaul the thing in the garage not some thiing I am looking forward to, however, I am sure it will be a learning experience. I've rebuilt hydraulic systems on ships that deal with cranes and stuff so lets hope the trans X will do the job. I'll keep ya posted. thanx

Joe2

 

Hello, you are experiencing a common Aerostar problem. Over time, reverse will be slow to engage. This is an engineering fault. I've fixed it before by drilling the reverse passage hole in the valve body spacer plate a little bigger. I've also fixed it by removing the check ball. Transgo also makes a shift kit that will fix this problem. You don't have a band problem. If you had a band or clutch pack problem, you would notice it in another gear. The components used for reverse are used for other gears (in a different combination of course). In the later transmissions like the 4R55E ('95 or so and later) the boost valve is the common fault.

Bottom line: valve body problem that can be fixed without rebuilding/removing the trans. Trans X may help, but it won't be permanent. For someone who drives the long haul, go for the better fix.

If you decide to rebuild, here are a few tips. REPLACE THE GOVERNOR!!! Trust me, for the $25 it's well worth it. When you put the components back in the case, make sure the case is verticle when you install the center support hub. The o-ring is rubber on the backside. When the case is horizontal, the rubber o-ring will hang down and get sliced during installation. When you test drive it, you'll burn up a clutch pack (ask me how I know). There is an upgraded planetary gear that should be replaced. It has six gears instead of the four. I think it's in the overdrive set, but I'm not sure. The Ford dealer will tell you, and it is a weak link so replace it.

Good luck and let us know what fixes it.

Joe Moody

 

SGTJOE

Joe2 here. Thanks for the information. I did some internet search for TRANSGO, they dont sell on line so I'll have to call them later today, however, they did have some good info on-line. I looked at there shift kit for the A4LD and it seems as if it will do the job, however, I am wondering if it will fix the lack of reverse problem, or was it designed to prevent the problem from happening, I did have the symptoms before I started this trip, reverse would delay a few seconds before engageing. Now there is no reverse at all. I can ask the people at Transgo, but I am afraid that they are trying to sell a product and might give me the sure it will work routine. Have you installed this kit before, you mention that it requires no removal of the Trans, so I am assuming its some kind of software upgrade?? ie..modules,sensors etc.. like I said I have yet to call them, I would prefer to call them knowing a little more. Sounds like a good product, I would just like some user information If possible, untill then I can manage without reverse. Just gotta park out in the middle of know where, or use my boys as the back up gear. Have a good one.
Joe2 (ALSO)

 

Good points. I haven't used Transgo, yet. I have installed shift kits before, but not this one (do I hear confidence in Transgo slipping yet???). Transgo comes recommended from many experienced transmission rebuilders. Is reverse completely gone, or delayed? There are a few ways to fix the reverse problem at minimal cost.

Pull the transmission pan. Then pull the filter (one or two bolts). You'll see 20+ bolts securing the valve body to the trans case. REMEMBER WHERE THEY GO. They are different lengths, and you'll have problems if you forget which holes they go into. Once you have the valve body out, you might be able to go to a good transmission shop for help. The one I went to pointed at the hole to drill out free of charge. I drilled it and then I installed it and found reverse again. Not too hard. I'll look around and see if I can find the picture that identifies the hole. I know I have it marked in my books somewhere.

More advice: when you fill the transmission with fluid, make sure the vehicle is level and not on jack stands. Removing the valve body will empty half of the torque converter. If you put the amount of fluid in the trans it can hold, it will pour out of the vent. Wait until the vehicle is level.

It may sound like a complicated job, but try it. You'll figure it out and if you go wrong, you'll pay the same amount and learn a bunch about transmissions.

Let me know what more help you might need.

Joe Moody

 

Hey Joe,

Yeah you might as well say that reverse is gone altogether, I only have it for no more then a minute after the tranny has been sitting awhile. I even got it in reverse first thing this morning after it had been sitting all night, just for giggles i tried going around the block that way to see if I could hear some abnormal noise or some thing, as a Mechanic some time its good to here metalic noise, that takes a lot of time out of troubleshooting if you know what I mean. Never the less I went for about 45 seconds then it slipped out andf left me there. I didnt get the chance to call Transgo, I'll get to it tomorrow, But I think they will tell me that if reverse is gone then its lost for good, however, I could be wrong, and maybe this shift kit can bring it back. Last reort I will pull the valve body, I know much about lenght of bolts and where they belong, Had a real bad experience on a ship working on Italian Diesel engines, boy did that suck, its like putting a puzzle together with your eyes closed, unless you have good manuals. I dont know how reputable the trans shops are around here, however, I think I will find out rather shortly, I'll call and ask some questions to get a feel. Thanks a buch for the help. Its a wonder what this internet can do for a person.
Joe2

 

I have lost the reverse gear on my 93 Aerostar 4.0L RWD. I will attempt to change the vaccum modulator and I want to drill the larger hole by drilling the reverse passage hole in the valve body spacer plate a little bigger like you have suggested. I was wondering if you have any picture of the component that need to be enlarged.

Thanks
Robert

 

I wish I did. Get with a reputable trans shop and they should have the service tip showing where the hole is. Good luck.

The vacuum mod won't help your reverse problem.