My son has a 86 Bronco 2. The trans started acting up. When you put it in gear it does not always go into gear(auto w/o.d.) if it does not you can let it set a few seconds & it will drop into gear. It does not do it all the time, sometimes it will go in gear fine. When it does go into gear you can be driving along & all of a sudden it will act as if it's in neutral & you can pull over & after a bit it will go again. The fluid level is fine,the fluid does not smell burnt & is not discolored. When it's shifting, it shifts smooth.What I'm wondering is this. It has electronic 4wd. & when you push the button to go into 4wd( both high or low) the light on the consol does not light up & does not seem to be going into 4wd.
Could the transfer case be causing this?(maybe trying to switch from 4 wd to netural?) I checked the wires to the switch & there is power to the button.
Any ideas on where to start looking? Thanks, Mike

 

Firstly, this problem with the transmission (I believe it's the A4LD), isn't in any way related to the failure of the 4x4 transfer case to change mode. They're separate problems.

The transmission problem could be an indication it's nearing the end of its service life, and thus may need rebuilding by a local reputable shop. But, first, I would do the next best thing. That is, to get a filter and fluid change done at your earliest convenience.

If you're not the DIY type, have it done at a trustworthy shop. It might be worthwhile to have the torque-converter drained, and if possible, flushed clean. Then once the new filter and oil pan have been properly installed, put the required amount of new Castrol (my choice for the conventional type) Dexron III/Mercon ATF, or if you can afford it, fill it with one of the synthetic varieties; "Mobil-1" or "B&M" would be my choice. It could take a dozen or more quarts, but it's still less expensive than a complete trans-overhaul.

NOTE: Start with about 4 or 5 quarts, then add a pint (1/2 quart) at a time, checking the level each time fluid is added, or you could find that you've OVERfilled and will have to siphon off, or pump out the excess; a messy job! Be sure to take the time to cycle the transmission through the gears right before checking after fluid is added, so as to bleed any air present out of the system pathways, or again, the fluid level reading will be higher then it actually is.

Of course, with the vehicle parked ONLY on LEVEL ground, the engine must be running with the transmission WARMED UP and in Neutral or Park whenever checking the fluid level, or it will be reading could be considerably inaccurate.

If that doesn't make the transmission run more reliably, I'm afraid your only option is to rebuild it.

The electrically-controlled transfer case tends to fail due to the servo motor assembly mounted to the rear face of the transfer case. If it's heavily corroded (white and or rusty colored crud on its surface) it might be seized up internally, as well. New ones are moderately to very expensive, depending on wher it was manufactured.

There are ways of testing the servo with a "hot wire"-type test lead from the battery positive terminal, but one needs to know what he's doing or the servo could be rendered inoperable, if it wasn't already.

It just so happens I have a transfer case from a '90 Ranger 4x4, with what appears to be a good OEM servo unit on it. I was thinking of replacing my manual transfer case with this one, but could go either way at this point.

At any rate, good luck with your "remedial endeavors".

 

You could give the fluid change a try, but it sounds to me like his A4 is dying. Unfortunately, they weren't the most durable transmission ever made.

 

you could be having problems with the floor shifter. Mine used to pop out of gear or bounce back and forth between gears. I just cut the old floor shifter out and put a after market one in. Works great now