Newbie with first Bronco
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Newbie with first Bronco
Howdy All,
I went last weekend and puchased a 96 Bronco 4x4 with a 302 engine. I got it home and have had it for a few days, now i am starting to notice a few things.
1. If i start in D it is real slugish till I get to about 15mph. Then I get some power and it wont shift up any further.
I can start in 1 and get good power, then manually move the AT to second, good power there, and when I shift it manually to D it drives fine. Anyone have any thoughts on this.
2. I hear a noice at the rear of the Bronco, It almost sounds like a power antenna as it goes up, but does not stop until I shut it off. I have no idea what this is.
3. I cant seem to get it into 4x4 mode, It looks like it has auto hubs on it, but I dont see a 4x4 button inside, any thougts on where to look.
4. Are there any known issues that I may expereince on this so I can get it looked at before It becomes a problem.
This bronco has 95000 miles on it.
Thanks,
ServerGuru
I went last weekend and puchased a 96 Bronco 4x4 with a 302 engine. I got it home and have had it for a few days, now i am starting to notice a few things.
1. If i start in D it is real slugish till I get to about 15mph. Then I get some power and it wont shift up any further.
I can start in 1 and get good power, then manually move the AT to second, good power there, and when I shift it manually to D it drives fine. Anyone have any thoughts on this.2. I hear a noice at the rear of the Bronco, It almost sounds like a power antenna as it goes up, but does not stop until I shut it off. I have no idea what this is.
3. I cant seem to get it into 4x4 mode, It looks like it has auto hubs on it, but I dont see a 4x4 button inside, any thougts on where to look.
4. Are there any known issues that I may expereince on this so I can get it looked at before It becomes a problem.
This bronco has 95000 miles on it.
Thanks,
ServerGuru
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
#2 is the electric fuel pump. It is normal.
#4 It either has a manual lever on the floor, or a pushbutton on the dash. If it does not have either one then you got me there... Also your auto-hubs probably don't work. They break often. Most people replace them with manual hubs.
#4 It either has a manual lever on the floor, or a pushbutton on the dash. If it does not have either one then you got me there... Also your auto-hubs probably don't work. They break often. Most people replace them with manual hubs.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
oops I meant #3
as far as #4, just start reading this forum and you will get a good idea of common problems. Auto hubs are one of the big ones, followed by rear window problems. I'd been through and repaired both of them on mine by 100K.
as far as #4, just start reading this forum and you will get a good idea of common problems. Auto hubs are one of the big ones, followed by rear window problems. I'd been through and repaired both of them on mine by 100K.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
From: South Texas
The transmission is an e4od and these are expensive to get fixed. In my area, a lot of tranny shops cringe when they see these and call them throw away transmissions. They say it is better to just throw it away and get a new one. They can be rebuilt but are pricey.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
First off, welcome to FTE. If you end up like many of us, this will not be your last question and the information here will save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ time and again.
As to your transmission dilema, before you assume the worst, check your fluid level as per the owners manual. Sometimes the instructions for checking fluid level are engraved into the transmission dipstick. If the fluid appears red and will cling to the dipstick nicely, then begin to look beyond this point. (Brown, thin fluid is old, burnt, and most likely not maintaining good viscoscity causing all sorts of problems). A dirty clogged tranny filter can also cause shift problems. Replacing the filter requires replacing the fluid as well. Try this before you worry about rebuild or replacement woes.
By the way, if for some reason the worst case scenario becomes the reality, Go for a Ford remanufatured unit instead of letting a shop do it. As was mentioned, the shops don't like to do these and the cost of having them rebuild will end up being no less than dropping a Ford reman. into it. Yes, this IS the voice of experience speaking.
As to your transmission dilema, before you assume the worst, check your fluid level as per the owners manual. Sometimes the instructions for checking fluid level are engraved into the transmission dipstick. If the fluid appears red and will cling to the dipstick nicely, then begin to look beyond this point. (Brown, thin fluid is old, burnt, and most likely not maintaining good viscoscity causing all sorts of problems). A dirty clogged tranny filter can also cause shift problems. Replacing the filter requires replacing the fluid as well. Try this before you worry about rebuild or replacement woes.
By the way, if for some reason the worst case scenario becomes the reality, Go for a Ford remanufatured unit instead of letting a shop do it. As was mentioned, the shops don't like to do these and the cost of having them rebuild will end up being no less than dropping a Ford reman. into it. Yes, this IS the voice of experience speaking.
Last edited by greystreak92; Sep 15, 2004 at 09:41 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 669
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From: Chino Valley
I dont know if this pertains, but i remember reading something on this board reguarding a sensor on the rear axle that made the tranny shift hard and/or irregular. cant seem to find the thread though. maybe somebody else can remember......? 
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#1 change the tranny filter and oil...
#2 probably is the fuel pump like JBronco mentioned above and yes it is normal...
#3 there should be a lever in the center of the floor or if its electric 4x4 there should be two buttons on the dash one saying 4Hi and the other 4Lo...(make sure you are stopped and in Neutral before putting in 4Lo)
#2 probably is the fuel pump like JBronco mentioned above and yes it is normal...
#3 there should be a lever in the center of the floor or if its electric 4x4 there should be two buttons on the dash one saying 4Hi and the other 4Lo...(make sure you are stopped and in Neutral before putting in 4Lo)
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Well here is an update as to what I have found.
1. Looks like the transmission is overfilled with fluid, it looks a little burnt. Gonna drain it and replace the filter this weekend.
2. Finally got it in 4x4 but it wont go down to N of 4low. So I think i will be putting on the manual hubs soon enough, not that i really need 4x4 in the city.
3. In the event that I have to replace the Transmission, What would be the recomended one to put in, if this is a throw away tranny, then lets toss it and put something worth having in. I have always been a firm beleiver that if i am going to do something do it right, regardless of cost, just sometimes takes time, I think this will be an ongoing project for a while.
I greatly appreciate all of your responces.
Thanks,
ServerGuru
1. Looks like the transmission is overfilled with fluid, it looks a little burnt. Gonna drain it and replace the filter this weekend.
2. Finally got it in 4x4 but it wont go down to N of 4low. So I think i will be putting on the manual hubs soon enough, not that i really need 4x4 in the city.
3. In the event that I have to replace the Transmission, What would be the recomended one to put in, if this is a throw away tranny, then lets toss it and put something worth having in. I have always been a firm beleiver that if i am going to do something do it right, regardless of cost, just sometimes takes time, I think this will be an ongoing project for a while.
I greatly appreciate all of your responces.
Thanks,
ServerGuru
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
From: South Texas
For your #2 answer, the manual hubs are great and I recommend that 100% but this will not solve your problem with shifting into 4Lo. The transfer case will shift if it works properly regardless of bad hubs. Is this the push buutton 4x4 or the manual shift? On the manual shift, sometimes it is a little stubborn shifting into lo because you have to push down on the lever to get it to shift. I know people who have had trouble shifting the transfer case into Lo because the shifter gets rusty from lack of use and accumulation of crap around the shifter linkage. I also know that my 93 Bronco with push button 4x4 sometimes gets the shifter motor out of adjustment and I have to mess with it to get it to go into Lo.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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As far as changing your transmission fluid. If it looks burnt (brownish red or brown or even black) make sure you bring it into a shop and have it completely flushed. Shouldn't cost more than $75 for labor and parts (new fluid and filter). It sounds like the transmission fluid has never been changed...and at close to 100,000 miles...I would be weary of messing with the fluid at all...it might be holding the old tranmission together.