I am looking at a 1998 or 1999 Ford Expedition, not sure which year. Its a 4wd, all black, Eddie Bauer, 90k... Looks real nice inside and out. The issue is it is slow to shift into reverse. Not sure why, I have not even checked anything yet. He is only asking 3000 for it, which is a good deal considering. Is the tranny due for a rebuild or is it something I can fix? I am pretty handy with tools and can tackle complex jobs but automatic transmission repair is somewhat out of my realm. If it is due for a rebuild, how much should I expect to pay? I would be bringing the transmission down to the shop and reinstalling it myself. It would just be parts and labor. I was also wondering if a shift kit in this tranny is worth it? Which tranny is it even? I had a 2000 F-350 that I recently sold and am hoping this would be a decent replacement... Much better mileage anyways! I was getting between 7 and 9 with my V10 before.

 

Some people that have had this same problem have fixed it simply by changing the fluid and filter.

 

It takes about 20 to 30 seconds for reverse to engage.

 

Slow reverse shifting is caused 90% of the time by a bad torque converter, a bad front pump, or the need for a fluid and filter change. The first two require that the tranny be removed, the third does not...it's your choice. You also have the option to take it to a tranny shop for a professional diagnosis.

 

Thanks so much. I was hoping it was solely a fluid change and not more mechanical issues. But for the asking price with 90k on it, its hard to pass up. Looks like I will be dropping by today with some money in hand. I will be sure to be on this forum more and more as I get more in depth with this new rig. I see brake rotors can be an issue, also I know about the spark plug issue (had a 6.8)... Any other known mechanical problems I need to investigate?

 

There is an issue with some odometers going dark.

 

20-30 secs for reverse seems very long.like Alloro said(and he's a real guru beleive me , he helped me quite alot lol ,by the amount of help he's given , heck Ford should send him a gift ) ......has to be that prob for sure .For 3k it aint bad lol .Check also on neutral 4Low , switching in and out , see if it works .There's gonna be a loud engage noise if it works , that's normal .See if it goes in an out of 4LOW in neutral .At 90K at 3000 seems like a good deal to me .

 

I have a fan club??? Mom would be so proud.

 

Well am yur fan Alloro lol .....ya deserve a free .....ok am sure Ford wont give ya a new Expedition but ...........maybe somethin .....heck on the Dell website one guy found a solution for a Laptop that Dell's "techs" couldnt fix ..........apparently he received a girft lol

 

Okay, I went to see it today. The first time I got to look inside and all that. While checking it over I noticed it had the pushbuttons on the door for entry and had the sunroof and all that, but did not have keyless entry (key fob). Is this normal? I actually have not even gotten to drive it as it is going to auction tomorrow. If it doesn't sell it is coming back. He is asking $3200 for it. The trans issue is as follows: When putting into drive, the trans shifts just as one would expect, when going into reverse however, it takes about 20 - 30 seconds and requires a bit of feathering of the throttle. Once in reverse, it feels normal and has plenty of power. He told me he could get me another tranny for $500 which sound like a used/junkyard job. I can get a pretty decent price on a rebuild and can do the removal/install labor myself. All the obvious telltales seemed okay, the steering wheel was losing color around the top... (turning black) where the hand would rest. The pedals looked good and the seat did not seem excessively smushed down. It had power pedals, 6 disc cd changer, sunroof, a/c. Loaded up pretty well inside. Hoping it does come back so I can offer him cash for it. When I arrived he had already sent the title to the auction and when I told him I had 3 in cash in my pocket he was clearly upset with his auction choice. lol... He began to tell me what he thought was wrong with the tranny and I then told him what was wrong with it (thanks Alloro). A well informed consumer and all that. The truck has 96,000 on it and has the 5.4 which is the R4100, correct? Or is that the 4R100? I can't remember. haha

 

It might have a keyless entry system in it, just no remote. Even if it doesn't, install a remote starter that has a keyless entry built into it and you'll be good to go.