Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

1993 Explorer Shift problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 10:01 PM
  #1  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
1993 Explorer Shift problem

I have a 1993 Explorer XLT, 4X4 with 150 k on it. The truck is now having trouble shifting from 1st to 2nd. The RPM increase to 3000 in first then when I take my foot off the gas it shifts suddenly into second with a small lurch. It does not matter if the tranny is cold or warm, that seemed to matter in some other cases that I read.

I looked around and it seems like people have had similar problems and the speed govenor was the source of the problem. I guess you can just clean it up and everything is fine.

Here is problem, I don't have a garage or the tools to do the repair. I want to take it into a mechanic but I don't want to fall into the trap where I have to rebuild the tranny when all I needed was repair. Any thoughts on handling this?

I had a similar situation with my 4X4 engage motor. It was not working and when I took it in they told me to change the motor which I did - $400 later. Then I find out that all I probably needed was an adjustment.

Anyway any advice appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2004 | 10:16 PM
  #2  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Oh Yeah

I just got my tranny flushed, if that has anything to do with it.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 02:01 PM
  #3  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Any thoughts?

ANY thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 03:51 PM
  #4  
CyberPhreez's Avatar
CyberPhreez
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM with my 93' Explorer XLT just about 3 months ago. It turned out to be a simple fix for me, the MAF sensor. Just popped it off and cleaned with some carb cleaner, no more problem. But I had other symtoms as well like MIS-FIRING & LACK OF HP... Just a thought though since it only took me 15 mins to fix and a total of about $4 for the carb cleaner.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 03:56 PM
  #5  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks

Thanks for the reply, appreciate it. The mass air flow sensor actually causes a problem with shifting?

How did you clean it? Can you give me an idea where it is located?
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 04:07 PM
  #6  
CyberPhreez's Avatar
CyberPhreez
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
It is on top of the Intake hose that connects to the box for the air filter. It is a small black box looking piece with a wire harness connecting into it. You will need a STAR SCREWDRIVER BIT to unscrew it. You can get the bit from your local dealer, cheacker or kragen auto parts. Un-do the wire harness. Take out the MAF sensor. It just pulls straight up and out and you will see 2 VERY SMALL WIRES that look like the wires inside of a light bulb. All you have to do is spray those wires with a generous amount of carb cleaner and watch the gunk you can't see normally come off. You should also clean the housing it came out of by, wadding some paper towels up and stick them in the hole the MAF sensor came out of so no carb cleaner of gunk gets down there. Then spray around the housing with carb cleaner, wipe it up, and take the paper towel out. Let it dry a few minutes (make sure it is dry), and place it right back in, screw it on, and take it for a test drive down the street.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 04:09 PM
  #7  
CyberPhreez's Avatar
CyberPhreez
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Like I said though, I has other symtomsas well but one of the problems was reving high and shifting late.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 04:23 PM
  #8  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try it out today.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 05:46 PM
  #9  
jayreb250's Avatar
jayreb250
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Was your O/D light blinking with this problem.

I have the very same problem that you discribed but I have a O/D light flashing.
also when tying to figure out what was wrong I noticed that one of the bands in the trans was broke so I pulled the trans and replaced the band and replaced the clutches while I had it apart, but I put it back together and still wont shift out of 1st correctly.
I am going to try the MAF sensor fix, just wondering if the light was flashing?
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 05:54 PM
  #10  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
No light

I don't have any light flashing.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 06:04 PM
  #11  
jayreb250's Avatar
jayreb250
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
mine is a 95 explorer, might be a little different.

but I will still try to clean the MAF sensor.
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 08:25 PM
  #12  
johnsona0's Avatar
johnsona0
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
No Luck

Unfortunately the cleaning the MAF sensor did not help
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 10:33 PM
  #13  
carfreak113's Avatar
carfreak113
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
What tranny are you running?
 
Reply
Old Sep 27, 2004 | 11:05 PM
  #14  
Dialtone's Avatar
Dialtone
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: South Texas
If your problem shifting 1-2 started after trans oil change, my guess it is the 1-2 shift governor in the tailshaft. They are a real P.I.T.A. and for some reason act up for no aparent reason after oil changes. Try a can of K&W Trans-X. It is good for cutting varnish deposits from the metal and softening up seals that are birttle with age & heat. Use as directed, then if that dosent help, go for the mechanic to R&R /clean the govenor. If it does the trick, change the fluid again after a few hundred miles.
Dialtone
 
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2004 | 08:57 AM
  #15  
jayreb250's Avatar
jayreb250
New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I have the 4R55E and the sensor cleaning did not help.

does this trans have the shift governor in the tail shaft housing?
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
solareclpse2000
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
14
Jun 11, 2018 04:21 PM
Gigemags05
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Feb 24, 2015 07:11 PM
carlislefordf250
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
25
Jun 23, 2014 06:59 PM
1993_f350_2013
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Oct 14, 2013 10:50 AM
FMC_Convert
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
13
Jun 24, 2013 08:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:00 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE