Do I need to adjust Modulator??
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Do I need to adjust Modulator??
I have a 92 aerostar (3.0) that the transmission place told me 2 weeks ago would never make it from CA to Chicago, due to shifting problems and varnished fluid. Advice was get it fixed, or at the very least replace the modulator and keep the old fluid. I took the advice and drove it no problem to Chicago! I'm sure it's going to need a transmission sometime though..
Question: Ever since I replaced modulator (shorter version from kragen and not a 'high altitude' expensive ford modulator) I've noticed what I describe as clunky shifting. Also it takes until after 20 mph to shift out of first. These problems did not exist with the old "bad" modulator. There is no slippage but it is rather uncomfortable now compared to before. Any advice. -Derek
Question: Ever since I replaced modulator (shorter version from kragen and not a 'high altitude' expensive ford modulator) I've noticed what I describe as clunky shifting. Also it takes until after 20 mph to shift out of first. These problems did not exist with the old "bad" modulator. There is no slippage but it is rather uncomfortable now compared to before. Any advice. -Derek
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 161,999
Likes: 75
From: 3rd Rock
...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! Please read the Guidelines, it will help you to navigate through and understand this site.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Stick around someone will be by shortly to answer your question.
We are happy you have chosen the best source for Fords!
Enjoy FTE....and
JOIN CLUB FTE -SUPPORT THE FORUMS!
…..See you on the boards.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Can't tell from your post if tranny fluid was changed. Recommend doing so NOW. Old heat damaged trans fluid causes band grabbing on shifts, inconsistent valve movement on shifts, extra load on tranny and torque converter.
Drop back of pan and drain fluid. Remove and clean pan and bottom of tranny interior and replace filter. Look for metal cuttings in old fluid and pan bottom. Oily black dust in bottom of pan is normal, band friction material.
Use new neoprene pan gasket and filter. Fill tranny to full mark with Mercon. Remove return line on transmission cooler. On '96 4l awd, the neoprene line from front cooler to steel return line under rt side of radiator. On radiator tank coolers, remove and place neoprene hose on return line out of tank. Start engine and drain 4 quarts with hose into bucket. Refill tranny to full, drain 2 more quarts until tranny fluid coming out is new red color.
This is a gentle flush for the tranny, valve body, converter and cooler lines.
Add 10 oz of LubeGuard "Red" or "Platinum". cleans tranny of varnish, smooths shifts and restores seals.
My 4R55 in 96 just loves Mobil 1 Syn. Mercon and Lubeguard, best the tranny has ran since new. Quiet and smooth, no jerks, no clunks, no overheating, just goes.
The 4R55 is basically just the PCM electronic controlled A4LD.
Drop back of pan and drain fluid. Remove and clean pan and bottom of tranny interior and replace filter. Look for metal cuttings in old fluid and pan bottom. Oily black dust in bottom of pan is normal, band friction material.
Use new neoprene pan gasket and filter. Fill tranny to full mark with Mercon. Remove return line on transmission cooler. On '96 4l awd, the neoprene line from front cooler to steel return line under rt side of radiator. On radiator tank coolers, remove and place neoprene hose on return line out of tank. Start engine and drain 4 quarts with hose into bucket. Refill tranny to full, drain 2 more quarts until tranny fluid coming out is new red color.
This is a gentle flush for the tranny, valve body, converter and cooler lines.
Add 10 oz of LubeGuard "Red" or "Platinum". cleans tranny of varnish, smooths shifts and restores seals.
My 4R55 in 96 just loves Mobil 1 Syn. Mercon and Lubeguard, best the tranny has ran since new. Quiet and smooth, no jerks, no clunks, no overheating, just goes.
The 4R55 is basically just the PCM electronic controlled A4LD.
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Jul 27, 2005 at 12:45 PM.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
thanks
Thanks for the detailed reply. Will try it, I hadn't changed the fluid because the mechanic said that would only compound my problems.. But I just wonder why when the only thing I changed was the modulator it experienced the hard shifting I described. Thanks again. -Derek
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
The varnishing and burned fluid with prior bad shifting may very well indicate the tranny is on it's last miles, who know when it will fail?
Was the old modulator pulling transmission fluid up into vaccum tube line? If not, I would suspect the old one was good.
Fluid, a bottle of LubeGaurd and a new Motorcraft modulator are low cost items to see if the tranny can be resurrected to smooth reliable operation. Removing the pan will tell you how varnished the tranny, if the metal gears/bearing are failing and if the clutch band friction material is breaking down.
Replace the fluid and clean tranny. See if shifting problems still exists. If so, put in the old modulator if it was not leaking tranny fluid into vacuum line. I would only use a Motorcraft modulator in these Aero auto's since they are so critical about every other item.
Do not overfill, between add and full on crosshatch only parked on level at normal operating temp after 5-10 mile drive.
Use only Mercon rated tranny fluid, Mercon V or 5 can be death on the older Ford auto's not rated for it. The band friction material, valving and torque converter in the A4LD are selected for Mercon/Dextron rated antifriction and viscosity specs.
Was the old modulator pulling transmission fluid up into vaccum tube line? If not, I would suspect the old one was good.
Fluid, a bottle of LubeGaurd and a new Motorcraft modulator are low cost items to see if the tranny can be resurrected to smooth reliable operation. Removing the pan will tell you how varnished the tranny, if the metal gears/bearing are failing and if the clutch band friction material is breaking down.
Replace the fluid and clean tranny. See if shifting problems still exists. If so, put in the old modulator if it was not leaking tranny fluid into vacuum line. I would only use a Motorcraft modulator in these Aero auto's since they are so critical about every other item.
Do not overfill, between add and full on crosshatch only parked on level at normal operating temp after 5-10 mile drive.
Use only Mercon rated tranny fluid, Mercon V or 5 can be death on the older Ford auto's not rated for it. The band friction material, valving and torque converter in the A4LD are selected for Mercon/Dextron rated antifriction and viscosity specs.
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Jul 27, 2005 at 06:16 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lance65
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Jul 28, 2016 08:37 AM
F-250 WARHORSE
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Sep 11, 2011 09:42 AM
T3hn1cksta
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
3
Feb 18, 2011 09:02 AM
