Driving along in 94 Explorer when suddenly it slipped out of gear. Pulled it over and tried to shift into other gears, put no gears will engage. Only have neutral.

Over the previous several months, I had been having trouble with getting it to shift. I usually had to rev it up and quickly release the gas to get it to shift. About a month ago, I had replaced the fluid, changed the filter, and even replaced the vacuum modulator. Still didn't shift correctly, but at least it worked. Now I have no gears and it's sitting alongside the road.

 

More info...

I can get it to drop into gear and it just barely creeps along (maybe an inch in five seconds). When I put it into gear, it makes a "whirring" sound. If I give it gas and let off, sometimes the whirring sound goes away. Fluid level is good.

 

hu5ker555,
Sounds like you've lost your torque converter.

 

The whirring sound seems to be coming from the front part of the tranny. Isn't the torque converter on the back end? Would the shifting problems I mentioned earlier be related to a failing torque converter?

 

Torque Converter is in the front.
It has been a good number of years since I worked on cars but whirling at the front of an auto trans sounds more like a bad pump.
Either way, the trans needs some help and will have to come out.

 

Is it possible that something could have gone wrong with my transmission filter? I did replace it about a month ago, but I thought someone on this forum once mentioned that the filter can be tricky and sometimes you get one that doesn't fit quite right. I have the right amount of fluid in there and it's fairly red still.

 

Whirling does not sound like a filter issue.
Something that is spinning is not working properly.

 

how could I check if the pump is bad?

 

If the trans clutches or converter or pump has failed, you most likely will have major visible debris in the fluid or trans valve body internals. You can drop the pan and remove the valve body. Inspect the passages for metal flakes (or in my case large slivers). If any are evident, then a rebuild is in order.

I would caution you to replace the torque converter with a "New Process" re-manufactured unit. I had 2 supposed rebuilt ones fail shortly after installation and they fill the trans with debris causing it to have to be rebuilt all over again. Additional warning includes a thorough flush of the trans cooling lines to remove any debris from the failure. Last thing you want is leftover metallic junk floating thru your fresh rebuilt unit.

If you have it rebuilt, make darn sure you get more than a 12-12 warranty.

Dialtone

 

Any ballpark idea of what a complete tranny rebuild might run? Not sure if this truck is worth it (1994 Explorer with 130k miles).

 

Just had my 91 done - It was fried after 160k. Quotes varied from $1200-$2200. I had it done at a reputable shop that I had good references for and paid $1600. It's been about 100 miles so far and it's running good.

 

My 86 B2 had the same thing. The overdrive sprag broke. This is not a hard job and is common on these transmissions. The hardest part is R&R of the trans.

 

I don't have the $1500 to dump into this explorer, and I'm not sure it makes sense to spend that much. May not be keeping it all that long either. Is there another option? Maybe I could find a used tranny (and torque converter if necessary?) from a wrecked car and have someone put it on mine. Other ideas?

 

Hey... I have had the same problem and before I change-out my Tranny with a junkyard special, can you tell me how to locate the Tranny Pump. My trans just whirls @ 45oo RPM and barely creeps along. Seems to me the fliud is not circulating. I read a thread related to finding the vacuum Modulator, by going threw a hatch in the interior...I need more help on this.. Also I plan on replacing the Torque Convertor[TC] even if I keep and fix the trans in my truck. Its a 1991 Explorer XLT A4LD
Dustydog

 

You simply need to pull the carpets back (from the front) and you'll see the hatch on the hump running down between the seats. Remove a few screws and the hatch cover comes off. The modulator is easily accessible on the passenger side of the tranny.