Hello everyone,


I just recently had my transmission checked out....due to weird shifting issues. My car is very hard to shift up when cold....and goes into overdrive only every couple of days....while on my way to work. It seems like the transmission may not have good compression or something...if that makes sense..like the pressure doesn't build up until the car warms up. I have to shift the car manually into second shift......which shifts nicely...but..if I drive the car and do not manually shift...it acts like it will never go into second....changing manually does fine......I have to drive about 2-4 miles to get it to go into third, BUT, when the car warms up...it shifts fine...just never goes into overdrive. I had the mechanic to check the car...and myself, trying to save money.....just did what he told me to do.....

1. Flush the Trans....done
2. replace the vacuum modulator....check (this is the second time in a year)
3. the mechanic said the bands and all of the workings in the trans appear to be in good shape....since the car does shift when warm with no problems.
4. I also replaced all of the hoses from the vac. modulator....no changes.....
5. I bought the best fluid I could buy at the auto parts store....17 bucks to replace my fluid....not sure if that is good or bad?
6. I also replaced the trans filter and pan seal after the flush...along with the modulator replacement.

I am just not sure what to do next...I am searching for a replacement transmission...just in case this one is not salvageable....

Anyone have any other suggestions? :-(

Thanks so much for all of the help I have received during my being a member of FTE....I have saved lots of money so far....due to the great advice I have received!



Jeremy

 

Hello,

I also forgot to mention that it is an A4LD transmission.....with overdrive....

Thanks again!

Jeremy

 

Hi Jeremy:

I take it that the modulator pin didn't work. Did you check to see if the valve is still in there? The hole where the modulator goes in has a small "valve" which looks like a small dumbell about 1 inch long. That "valve" is supposed to be able to slide in and out.

Besides that, the only thing I can think of is that you have either a sticky valve or a bad solenoid. In either case, that means dropping the tranny oilpan, removing the filter and the valve body. All that can be done in about 2 hours, but rebuilding the valve body may take a few more hours with a lot of patience. Most the valves in my valve body took a lot of persuasion before they come out (lots of muck in there after all those miles). If you need a manual, let me know, and I'll send it to you.

 

I tried the pin....but..no changes, but, I do at least have a pin now...lol

I didn't know that the bell that is inside where the pin fits in comes out....is there a filter or anything in it? I am going to take the transmission apart....separate the parts....clean everything...then....a friend of mine is going to take me to the auto parts store to get the few things I haven't replaced yet.....I have practically replaced everything....just seems like a pressure issue with the transmission....even though the seals seem good...maybe another faulty modulator? I have been getting them at autozone....so...I am really not sure...but...the pin did help alot with my shifting....I still am having the same problems though :-(

Thanks to all who have helped me keep my car going for over half a million miles.... (on trans number 3 though...motor original)

Jeremy

 

Hi Copper...

That would be great if you could send me the manual for the transmission...I am really enjoying doing all of my own repairs..but...getting as internal as I have with the motor...and now trans...I fear that I may potentially do something wrong...so...a manual would be great! Thanks so much for everything you have done to help me.....me and my Aerostar thank you very very much!



Jeremy

 

Jeremy:

I'll do better than that. I'll send you my copy of the Ford service manual CD. It has step-by-step instruction for everything, including the tranny. I still don't think you need to tear down the tranny. Just take the valve body out, clean it well and put it back in. The valve body gasket can be bought for about $5 at any tranny shop. If that doesn't solve the problem, then you need to replace one of the two solenoids on the valve body. One is for torque converter lockup and one is for the 3-4 shift. The service CD will tell you which is which.

On second thought, before taking the valve body out, take out the two pistons on the side of the tranny, one for the intermediate drum and one for the overdrive. Clean out the pistons and put in new O-rings. That might be where your problem is. All that can be done with the tranny still in place.

Good luck.

 

copper, would there be anyway that I could get a copy of that cd?

 

Send me a private message with your address and I'll see what I can do.

 

oops posted my pm here, lol

 

It sounds to me as if your tranny has got the good old problem that these trannys are known for. Your seals need replaced. This is the most common major problem they have and it comes from heat. It is the reason Ford installed tranny coolers in the later models. My cousin replaced them his self but you need a place to disasemble it with out losing the parts and a manual.