Indecisive Tranny...
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Indecisive Tranny...
Man, or woman; man or woman....oops...sorry, not that "Indecisive Tranny"....that's for some other discussion board....one which I would never go to...honestly.....OK, nevermind..
My 96 AWD Aerostar auto/w/OD can't seem to make up its mind which gear to be in at around 45MPH (70KPH). I believe this is the approximate shift point between 2nd and drive....if I'm cruising at that speed through town, it seems to skip in/out of gear, or between the two gears. Once in OD, no problem. I've taken to driving around town in 2nd to avoid the issue which appears to have gotten worse over the last couple of weeks.
I've checked the fluid level and it looks and smells OK. I don't know squat about auto transmissions and wonder if this thing is on it's way "out" or just needs an oil change, or....? There must be some valving, or something in there which initiates shifts....maybe gunked up or malfunctioning?
Any tips guys?
EDIT: Oh yeah..I should have mentioned that if I keep the engine under load it shift fine through the gears right up to OD and back down. This problem occurs when you are driving along with no load (no hills, no trailer) on flat ground. If when it's "jumping" in and out (or between?) gears and you abruptly let off the gas, it sort of "clunks" down into 2nd. Hope this info helps the diagnosis.
Thanks in advance.
My 96 AWD Aerostar auto/w/OD can't seem to make up its mind which gear to be in at around 45MPH (70KPH). I believe this is the approximate shift point between 2nd and drive....if I'm cruising at that speed through town, it seems to skip in/out of gear, or between the two gears. Once in OD, no problem. I've taken to driving around town in 2nd to avoid the issue which appears to have gotten worse over the last couple of weeks.
I've checked the fluid level and it looks and smells OK. I don't know squat about auto transmissions and wonder if this thing is on it's way "out" or just needs an oil change, or....? There must be some valving, or something in there which initiates shifts....maybe gunked up or malfunctioning?
Any tips guys?
EDIT: Oh yeah..I should have mentioned that if I keep the engine under load it shift fine through the gears right up to OD and back down. This problem occurs when you are driving along with no load (no hills, no trailer) on flat ground. If when it's "jumping" in and out (or between?) gears and you abruptly let off the gas, it sort of "clunks" down into 2nd. Hope this info helps the diagnosis.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by canadaler; Aug 2, 2005 at 11:58 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
your 96 awd has the 4R55 all electronic control tranny. any PCM codes?
how long since fluid changed? after 30-50k miles the anti foam, detergents and anti wear additives are worn out, fluid may look fine but not operate correctly. dino fat tranny fluid (actually anerobic rotted prehistoric plant matter) also breaks down after 30k or so depending on heat, loading and tranny model from shear pressures mainly in torque converter and gears.
synthetic fluid lasts longer especially in high heat and high shear load apps.
check band adjustment.
these 96 awd's only have about 2 inches clearance between external cooler lines and exhaust pipes/front cat. converter and about 1 inch clearance with tranny case and cat converter body. make sure heat shield is in place with clips on rt. side of tranny. they get HOT on 90 plus days especially pulling load on hills at slow speed, poor air flow around engine/tranny unit.
I added another heat shield/air flow director to help oil filter and tranny cooling on rt side
how long since fluid changed? after 30-50k miles the anti foam, detergents and anti wear additives are worn out, fluid may look fine but not operate correctly. dino fat tranny fluid (actually anerobic rotted prehistoric plant matter) also breaks down after 30k or so depending on heat, loading and tranny model from shear pressures mainly in torque converter and gears.
synthetic fluid lasts longer especially in high heat and high shear load apps.
check band adjustment.
these 96 awd's only have about 2 inches clearance between external cooler lines and exhaust pipes/front cat. converter and about 1 inch clearance with tranny case and cat converter body. make sure heat shield is in place with clips on rt. side of tranny. they get HOT on 90 plus days especially pulling load on hills at slow speed, poor air flow around engine/tranny unit.
I added another heat shield/air flow director to help oil filter and tranny cooling on rt side
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Aug 2, 2005 at 01:39 PM.
