Hello,
I have a 1990 Ranger 2.9 A4LD truck. I have been having an issue with trans lately. Here is what I have going on.
1st gear: works as normal
2nd gear: works as normal
Drive: acts exactly like 2nd gear except for it will take off in first like it
should. It will not shift into third. If I am in overdrive and shift into
drive, then it downshifts back into second.
Overdrive: Shifts into third and torque converter locks up like it should. It will not shift into overdrive. MPH=4000RPM. 65MPH used to be 2500RPM. When cruising at 45-55, it will downshift into second with less than 1/4 throttle.

Transmission does not slip in any gears. Fluid is clean. I just changed modulator valve for good measure since it was $8. Vacuum lines are tight and clean. No change. Kick down cable is not sticking and cable is adjusted properly. I read that the vehicle speed sensor VSS can create shifting problems, but the cruise control works.
Any ideas would be deeply appreciated. Thank you!

 

I had the same problem with my 89 Bronco2 A4ld just before it gernaded the OD gear pack! Suggest checking all the tranny band adjustments and also the govener could be sticking causing the poor shift points.

 

Thanks for the reply. Grenade is not the word I wanted to start off new years! haha. I guess I will check the governor. I wanted to see if there were any other ideas before disassembling any part of the tranny. Luckily I am in junkyard heaven in socal and today is 50% off. I am going to get my explorer 8.8 disc brake 4.10 rear end for near future swap since my 7.5 is whining. There must be at least 30 A4LD's where I am going so I will be ready when the time comes.

Does anyone think an ECU can cause this?

 

Nothing electrical can cause all of that. On an A4LD only the 304 shift and torque converter lock are electronic. The 1-2 and 2-3 shifts do not use any electronics.

 

If you do get another A4ld tranny, try to get one from a Explorer 4.0L engine. They are beefed up for the 4.0l engine. And it's all bolt on too. Best tranny year I read about is 93 to 94 explorer just before they went all electronic shift.

 

If I do get another tranny, is it only Explorer I should get? Is it better than the same year Ranger 4.0? I also forgot to mention that I have only owned this truck for 3 months. Until recently, when it was cold, it would not shift from 1st to 2nd unless manually shifted or after about a mile of driving. If I shifted from 1st to 2nd to Drive it would want to go back into first or coast with no engine braking. I was thinking governor. That has pretty much stopped about the same time that it not shifting into 4th now. I am not quite ready to give up on it yet. Can governor cause it not to go into
4th gear and have a light throttle downshift? Any more ideas to find a solution would be great. P.S. I also readjusted the bands with no change. Thank you!

 

I think the Ranger 4.0L A4ld is the same as a Explorer, but not sure as a Explorer is a heavyer truck than a Ranger.

Here's a link with info about the A4ld trannys The Ranger Station - Technical Library

 

The A4LD in the 4.0L Ranger is identical to the A4LD in the 4.0L Explorer.

The original problem here could be a valve body problem. A stuck shift valve could do this.

 

Thank you all for your input. I just ordered a TRANSGO SKA4LDJr SHIFT KIT. It is said that it helps Corrects/Prevents/Reduces:

Direct clutch failure;
soft 1-2,
lockup too soft;
cutloose 2-3;
delay or bang reverse
late shifts;
no 4th;
1-3 upshift at light-throttle;
delayed lockup release;
engine chugs.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know otherwise I will let you know what I find when I tear into it. Thank you!

 

Hi Mark, I just noticed your signiture. Got a question if you could answer. Do you happen to have the bellhousing bolt measurements for the A4ld and other Ford transmissions from crankshaft center? I've been searching years and only found GM info and little Ford bellhousing info.

 

No, I don't have the measurements.

 

I placed truck on jackstands today and ran it throught the gears with the overdrive solenoid plug disconnected. It shifted from first to second like normal but that was it. It stayed in second even in D and OD. I connected the OD solenoid back and now it goes from first to second, and then third although it feels like the overdrive is kicking in, not third. Sounds weird. The torque convertor is locking and unlocking like normal. I drive 65 at 4000rpms. I dropped the pan and the fluid is very clean and doesn't smell. There was about an 1/8" of goop on the magnet. It was black, smooth, and no chunks. Any ideas on what to check b4 I remove valve body?

I guess I will go thru the factory manual and do all the tests with air pressure etc and go from there.

I appreciate all your input. Thank you!!!

 

Hello again,
I removed the valve body and began to install the A4LD JR. TransGo kit. I found 4 small brass pieces wedged in the spring of the cutback valve. The largest being about 3/8" x 3/8" and as thick as a sheet of paper. It was folded in half. The other three were wadded up pretty tight. Should I stop my venture here? I left everything as is until I get some advice on next steps. Any ideas on what I found? Should I finish install of kit and put it back together to see what happens? If I am steered to replacing the trans, my only option right now would be to wait for a half off day at boneyard and get another unit from a 4.0 Ranger or Explorer(Hopefully wrecked so that I will have some hope that the trans will work). Any ideas are appreciated. Thank you!!!

 

Luck would be that I am finding lots of Aerostar A4LD transmissions for next to nothing locally. If it is from a 3.0, can I swap my 2.9 bellhousing to it? Is it more than just bolting it on? I need my truck back! Thanks again.

 

Yes, the bellhousings are swapable. Only problem you may have is most Aerostars were only 2 wheel drive and the output of the tranny may not fit into the xfercase if yours is 4x4. Now if you have 2x4 then make sure your drive shaft is same length.