Transmission Problems....Need Opinions

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: exranger06
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The 4 speed autos in those were pretty weak.

Drive it for now, but keep it in the back of your mind that you will be replacing it soon.


Yes, but that was the A4LD that was used in earlier models...pure junk!

I disagree. I have 189k miles on my A4LD and it still shifts perfectly. It's had two pan drop/refills and one flush in its life. Never had any transmission problems.


Then you are one lucky person. Go to the Explorer forums and see what other owners think of them...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308447

I'm already a member on Explorer Forums. Getting 200k out of an A4LD is not unheard of. It's doable and actually fairly easy if you actually maintain it.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The 4 speed autos in those were pretty weak.

Drive it for now, but keep it in the back of your mind that you will be replacing it soon.


Yes, but that was the A4LD that was used in earlier models...pure junk!


Isn't a 2000 going to have the a4LD? Everyone I know that has had anything with the A4LD has had it quit before 100K miles.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Originally Posted By: Miller88
The 4 speed autos in those were pretty weak.

Drive it for now, but keep it in the back of your mind that you will be replacing it soon.


Yes, but that was the A4LD that was used in earlier models...pure junk!


Isn't a 2000 going to have the a4LD? Everyone I know that has had anything with the A4LD has had it quit before 100K miles.

No, the last year for the A4LD in the Explorer was 1994. A 2000 would have the 5R55E.

 

[Oregoonian]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Change the fluid and filter and do a few line exchanges or fluid extractions. I'd add LG Red to the final fill, but mentioning additives can be a problem with some members.

+1...to that suggestion.

In my last ATF change out, I added 1 oz. of Lubegard Red to each quart of ATF (Mercon V) I added. No issues and worked fine. Had 3 oz. left of Lubegard Red, which I added later through my dipstick.

 

[01rangerxl]

Change the fluid. Maybe start with a pan drop/filter change, then if there are no problems, do a full fluid change next time.

A 2000 will have either a 4R55E or 5R55E with a V6. The OHV 4.0 got the 4R, the SOHC 4.0 the 5R.

The trans should not be going out at 88K miles unless absolutely completely abused and beaten on. If it's shifting well now, it's probably just the low fluid level that was causing problems. You have to remember that most people have no clue about transmission maintenance, how to check the fluid, etc. They just assume the "tranmistion (sic on purpose) goin out."

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: Ram01
Flush the fluid and put some Lucas transmission additives in


Bad idea.

As a general rule, fluid changes every 30k miles will extend the life of the majority of transmissions.

Only use LubeGard Red only if you suspect or see evidence of varnishing in the transmission.

 

[Bluestream]

OP, see if you have engine braking in low gear. If you don't, then you have a blown valve body gasket

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
OP, see if you have engine braking in low gear. If you don't, then you have a blown valve body gasket


X2. Could also be a solenoid going out. The solenoids are individually replaceable that year, but I'd probably just throw in a whole reman valve body since that's prime time for the valve body gasket blowout. Ford fixed it around '01/'02. I think a lot of these transmissions get diagnosed as "bad, needs a new transmission" when in fact it is a valve body gasket or solenoid issue. Good shops know about the issues, but many take a shotgun approach and just say the trans is going out.

I still think it was just the low fluid level though since it's shifting fine now.

These transmissions like to be maintained. They do not like neglect. Most are neglected.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would just change the transmission fluid and filter (drop the pan; do not flush). 88K miles is nothing. I've got 223K on my 1995 Escort's original automatic transmission.

 

[Bluestream]

Fins, do you have engine braking in manual low gear? We're trying to help you here, but need more info