can any body tell me
how can you tell if the aod trans filter needs to be changed
on a 1990 ford econoline van 5.0 302 eng 96 K one owner vehicle

 

What does the fluid look like?
Red, gunky, burned smell?
The filter should be changed each time the fluid is changed.

 

Yes, the filter should be changed when the fluid is changed. A lot of people think that problems with the transmission could be a stopped up filter. This is partly true. If the filter is stopped up the pump can't draw fluid and will cause the transmission to slip.

HOWEVER!!!! The only thing in there that can stop the filter up is clutch material and/or metal debris from failing components. So if the filter is stopped up, you have a much bigger problem than a stopped up filter.

The stopped up filter is a symptom, not a cause.

 

fluid is like a brown color

the only reason that im asking i never owned a automatic trans

 

Fluid should be cherry red.
If the fluid is brown, its time for a change of fluid and filter. Make sure you drain the torque converter at the same time.
When the pan is pulled you'll then be able to see if there are any serious problems.

If you have it done at a shop, DON'T use the chains. Find an independent to do the job.

 

The fluid should be a pale red. Brown usually means old and varnished. Could be burnt but burnt usually smells really bad. Black is really burnt and always stinks bad.

My experience as a shop owner for many years is the independants are bigger crooks than anybody else. They are under much less scrutiny. Mostly, it doesn't matter whether its a chain or not. It all comes down to the integrity of the owner.

I can tell you this, and it is absolutely true, that customers shopping price are what encourage shops to rip them off.