Hard shift when placed in Drive
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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Hard shift when placed in Drive
Hope you can hep me out here92 Eddie Bauer 4.0L with A4LD tranny.
On my last desert trip I was driving at night, then the wife turned on the map light. Didn't see the huge speed bump on the road... driving at 60 MPH, my Aero proved she could fly.
A few months after the trip my van has now developed a delayed shift from drive when cold , I have to rev up the engine, then the tranny engages, after that I have to shift to 2 or release the gas for 2nd gear to kick in.
When engine is warm, if selecting neutral, then rev up the engine a little Drive reengages, then no problem.
The van shifts fine, but in the morning I have to do all this.
Is this a governor problem or the vaccuum modulator or the torque converter?
The weekend is coming up and I have a chance to have the car fixed.
Appreciate the advise.
On my last desert trip I was driving at night, then the wife turned on the map light. Didn't see the huge speed bump on the road... driving at 60 MPH, my Aero proved she could fly.
A few months after the trip my van has now developed a delayed shift from drive when cold , I have to rev up the engine, then the tranny engages, after that I have to shift to 2 or release the gas for 2nd gear to kick in.
When engine is warm, if selecting neutral, then rev up the engine a little Drive reengages, then no problem.
The van shifts fine, but in the morning I have to do all this.
Is this a governor problem or the vaccuum modulator or the torque converter?
The weekend is coming up and I have a chance to have the car fixed.
Appreciate the advise.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The problem is most likely just general wear in the trans. The seals expand when they heat, so you get more firm engagement, but when everything is cold, the fluid does not behave the same way the the pressure is not adequate to engage the clutches.
First advise is to change the fluid and filter. This does not fix the trans, but if it helps, it will reduce the damage the trans can otherwise do to itself. That is unless you really want to get into rebuilding it.
First advise is to change the fluid and filter. This does not fix the trans, but if it helps, it will reduce the damage the trans can otherwise do to itself. That is unless you really want to get into rebuilding it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
I would have at least checked underneath to look for obvious signs of damage right after the flight. It sounds like maybe at least the shift linkage may have been disturbed, so it may need to be re-adjusted. Also, did you check the fluid level?
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Junior User
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Yes I did, the fluid is a little bit burned, but still OK and within spec.
Seems to me that you may be right about the shift linkage. I will also check the vaccuum Modulator to see if the hose is not damaged and get back to you.
Thanks.
Seems to me that you may be right about the shift linkage. I will also check the vaccuum Modulator to see if the hose is not damaged and get back to you.
Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Do the simplest thing and re-check you fluid level. The A4LD is very sensitive to low fluid levels. Your symptoms sound exactly like a slightly low level - needing to rev the engine when first starting to get the transmission to engage. If you are not sure, add just half a quart and see if things improve.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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Replacing the Vacuum modulator and flushing the transmission fluid would be where I'd start, as the modulator is fairly inexpensive, and there's a stickie explaining how to do the flush.
I replaced my modulator this year and the shifts are now silky smooth (in addition to replacing vacuum hoses, as per my other thread.)
While you're under there, I'd put in an additional transmission cooler - $50 - $100 is cheap insurance! You did say "Desert" which equals high heat, and the Aero's transmission doesn't like heat, in my experience, especially when it's loaded down.
I replaced my modulator this year and the shifts are now silky smooth (in addition to replacing vacuum hoses, as per my other thread.)
While you're under there, I'd put in an additional transmission cooler - $50 - $100 is cheap insurance! You did say "Desert" which equals high heat, and the Aero's transmission doesn't like heat, in my experience, especially when it's loaded down.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
If you can tell the fluid is burned, it is not within spec. Sounds like your clutches and bands are probably toast. Best you can hope for is that new fluid will restore function and buy time before you are forced to do something about the wear.
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Junior User
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Took out the filter and it was full of mud. tranny pan magnet was the same way.
Also the servo was completelly plugged with mud.
tranny fluid was completelly watered down and not thick as it's supposed to.
Added Lucas tranny treatment and new filter. Added 4 new quarts, now the van doesn't delay as much as before, have to wait a few seconds for D to engage or rev it up a little bit.
My mechanic asked for the van this weekend. I think he already knows what's wrong with it because he drove it and the tranny still runs strong on all gears, except first gear which doesn't have the Punch it did before.
Thanks for the advise!
Also the servo was completelly plugged with mud.
tranny fluid was completelly watered down and not thick as it's supposed to.
Added Lucas tranny treatment and new filter. Added 4 new quarts, now the van doesn't delay as much as before, have to wait a few seconds for D to engage or rev it up a little bit.
My mechanic asked for the van this weekend. I think he already knows what's wrong with it because he drove it and the tranny still runs strong on all gears, except first gear which doesn't have the Punch it did before.
Thanks for the advise!
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