Hey all, I'm asking this for my brother because I know nothing about these vans.

1995 with a 3.0 and an automatic.

The transmission seems to be messing up when he drives between 45 and 50 mph. It shakes and jerks the van, like the engine is missing out or something, but I think it's a transmission issue. I pulled the shifter into "D" and it still did it. Where do I start?

 

How long since the tranny was serviced? Check the vac line going to the tranny and the shift modulator.

 

I forgot to mention a couple things...

The problem is very random. It will do it for a while then it will operate fine for several days, then it will mess up again. When it messes up, it feels like it's going into nuetral real quick then dropped back into gear. This all happens in under a second, so it's pretty quick.

It's been a long time since the last transmission service.

About 4 months ago my brother had a radiator hose blow at night and didn't realize it until the motor started knocking from being too hot. Obviously there was no water in the radiator to cool the trans lines. I'm not sure if this van has an external cooler added to it or not... I know one of our vans does... but I think it's the '93 with the external cooler and not this one.



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I would get the fluid changed immediately. Also, inspect the vacuum line to the transmission modulator. If that modulator has ruptured, or is just stcking, it will cause shifting problems. The transmission on these van should ideally be serviced every 30,000 miles, and not more than every 60,000 miles at most.

 

Agreed. I had a similar problem (not so severe in the symptoms). A fluid change via a gentle flush, I would think. I'd be tempted to change the tranny filter first, then the gentle flush. The filter isn't that expensive. Checking the pan contents and the magnet may give you some idea of how big (or small) of a problem you have. Make sure you use the right fluid, which I think is Mercon III for a 95. Check the owners' manual.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, we'll check it out.

 

If it sounds like you are hitting neutral real quick and then back into gear, I bet your modulator may be shot. If you are going to change the trans filter, I suggest you do a few things....flush system, drain pan and change filter, change modulator. Drain/flush system by disconnecting lines at trans cooler in front of radiator and connect clear tubing to both lines, (one is in, one is out), put ends of tubing into a bucket or deep pan, start and let run (idle) for about 30 seconds max. Do not rev, just let pump drain as much as possible until no more fluid comes out. Reconnect hoses and move to pan and filter. Then change modulator and check vacuum lines for cracks because it is so close to cat. When changing modulator, watch for the small pin in the center. Take note of the quantity of fluid and fill trans to proper level. It is alot easier than it sounds, and you will give new life to your trans.

 

ATF and vac. modulator cooked and damaged by overheating

causing torque converter shudder and slippage of OD band on drum

must be replaced NOW....do filter change then full gentle flush with at least 15 qts of DextronIIIh/Mercon...start with the cheap $1 a qt stuff...drive 500 miles and if problems have cleared up?> do another 10 qt gentle flush with good Chevron Supreme ATF of Valvoline ATF

about 50% change tranny is burned up toast

if tranny is still alive in 500 miles put on aux atf cooler in front of radiator to prevent tranny cooking in future

 

heck dont evan mess with it..... pull the dang thing and install a transgo kit
A4LD Performance Transmission and Parts from PATC, A4LD
http://www.transmissioncenter.org/a4ld.htm
i over heated my van and the motor is Tost!! so i am doing a engine swap.. someone in the group was nice enough to turn me on to the TRANS-GO KIT so i orderd one.... i cant wait to put this baby in gear with my new engine and shift kit... however i am having a hard time finding a hot torgue converter that wll work on my 1989 aerostar

 

Disregard this unless your brother is looking for performance. All it will take to get to the bottom of this is some simple maintenance. Change the fluid filter and modulator, check to see how much and what kind of stuff you have on the bottom of the transmission pan. Be very careful not to loose the pin from the modulator, it may be stuck inside, or it may try to fall out, but do not loose it. Unless you see signs of serious problems inside the tranny, this sould resolve your bothers problems.

 

with all doo respect to (khantyranitar) what he says i true and i am sure he knows more about trannies then i do...... yea fluid filter and modulater will do the job. but how long will your trany last??........ if you are tired of your van do a quick flush and trade it in FAST! but if you truly love your van and want the new car feel then buy some beer and invite the stupid redneck neighbor over for a trany party...lol.. yank the dammn thing out and install a new tork-converter and shift kit... one weekend and the thing will be good for 100.000 miles and will feel like a new van...... your total cost will be about 300 bucks and a keg of beer..lol.. it will shift vary nice (contrary to popular belife) a shift kit will not make it shift like a race car..it will be smoth and firm adding life to your van... it is the torque converter that will turn your van into a bad *** street rod............... PS i am still looking for a good high stall tork-converter for my old A4LD..............PLEASE HELP!!!!

 

I do agree, and perhaps I wordedthat wrong. If the transmission needs to be replaced or needs a major rebuild, then upgradeing it is a very good idea. BUT, first we need to determine whether or not a fluid and filter change with a new modulator fixes the problem. Always start with the cheapest solution and work your way up. If everyone here immediately assumed that shifting problems meant a new transmission was needed, many of our members would give up these vans.

 

These vans have a torque converter lockup. You don't need a high stall, because when the converter is locked up, there is no slippage, and you can put as much torque as you need through it. But if it comes unlocked, that puppy will heat up fast, and there is no transmission that can withstand the heat of this magnitude for long. A high stall torque converter also produces a lot of heat, but its meant to produce less heat when it is unlocked. I wouldn't worry about finding a high stall torque converter. I would opt to get a tachometer, and guage the transmission based upon the tachometer readout. When it shifts into third or fourth gear, look for a 300 RPM drop. That means the torque converter has locked up. If you have more available power and the engine load is lower, the tendency to come or to downshift unlocked is reduced. If you cannot keep it in lockup in fourth gear, disable overdrive or the transmission will overheat. I wish they had a better design, but all things considered, these transmissions are doing an awesome job considering they were never meant to haul a van.

Back to the point here, I guess if you can find a higgh stall torque converter, that would be great and more power too you, but due to the design of the A4LD, and its lockup setup, and the intended application, I would seriously doubt that a high stall torque converter is made.

 

to ((((khantyranitary)))) thank you!! i also agree with you..... when i baught my aero my brother said (dont buy a aerostar they have bad transmissions.. but they have a good transmission....... but they to many of them end up in the junk yard because people dont realize there modulater went out or it only needs a soft flush.. i had a ford tempo that i thought the tranny went ot on i changed the fluid and filter and adjusted the bands.... still nothing...... i called around to te parts stores looking for answers....... they all told me the tranny was tost...so i parked the car and started parting it out.... i found this fourm and soon realized i parted out a perfectly good car that only needed a modulater an soft flush......... so many fords end up in the wrecking yards because ford has not let this information out... and now the A4LD and ford has a bad reputation for producing a lemon with a weak tranny.... well i am going to transplant my ford tempo motor into my sick aerostar van and i am going to build a bullit proof A4LD frankintranny to get the power to the rear axle with athority... no more wimpy van..this thing is going to ROCK.. my van is a LAURN BUILT camper van with a fiberglass raised roof i just baught a JBL 1500 watt sound system an it will have 3 flat screen TVs installed 2 in the head rests and a over head fold down screen........ this puppy will ROCK!! .... PS.. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A HIGH PERFORMANCE TORK CONVERTER TO PUT THE POWER TO THE GROUND..........PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 

Check my other post, I think I found what you are looking for.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...0&postcount=20

Its too bad you had to part out a potentially good vehicle. The tempo is not the best platform out there however, good engine, good tranny, but weak platform. Aerostar has a really nice platform in its calls, just shy of a truck, if it had a ladder frame, it would be a true truck. It seems to be a very nice design. I have 2, many other people here have more than 3. I would get another one if I could justify haveing that many vehicles. Which reminds me I need to get my Mom's van into the shop to get three issues resolve, new heater core, new power steering hose (complete with power steering flush), and try to locate an exhaust leak that I fear is a cracked manifold.