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Comments
I feel your pain. I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and my transmission gave out at 43,000 miles and I also bought mine new. This is my second Explorer. I had a 1998 and traded at 65,000 miles. Never had any problems so I did not purchase an extended warranty. The O/D light and "Check Transmission" warning came on. I thought it just needed fluid. Since it was a weekend the Ford Dealership I contacted said they did not have anyone on site to check transmissions. I took it to an independent and was told a part of the gear was defective. The car was shifting from 1st to 3rd gear and I was in the process of a move so I left it to have checked. Well to make a long story short, I ended up with a $2100 rebuilt transmission. I called Ford Service directly and spoke with 3 reps. Sent letters and received the same crap, since I did not take it to a Ford dealership, there is nothing they can do. I even have the original parts. Have you been to a Ford dealership or tried contacting Ford Customer Service? I don't think I would have gotten any assistance even if I took it to Ford. I hear so much about transmission problems with the Explorer, obviously there was some defective part installed. Oh yeah, now my CD player won't eject CDs and I don't even have 50,000 miles yet...I am afraid what will be next. This will be my last Ford. :lemon:
I was so close to telling the other auto shop to go ahead and put in a used one for $2000.00, but being the weekend, then reading your reply, well now I know this is the right move. Thank you again
It happened without any warnings. The seals were in tact and it was full of fluid.
You could price a used one or rebuild....
My trusted independent mechanic believes it is the transfer case, $1500-2000 to fix.
I got a second opinion from Aamco, which guarantees they will fix it for $2000 if I let them overhaul the transmission. Upset that I let them take me for $280 to diagnose the check engine light and fix an oxygen sensor, my fault for not walking.
May take it to Ford dealer for a 3rd op just for fun, but there is no way I can justify investing $2k in an 11-year old vehicle with 102,000+ miles.
From reading this post it looks like Explorer transmissions are set to implode @ 100k miles, so if you have more you are living on borrowed time. Guess I was lucky.
Scott
Does anybody know if changing the transmission fluid and maybe doing a full flush helps with this issue? Otherwise, we're considering a Honda CR-V...
Thank you.
Looks like it's a huge problem that affects multiple years. My 2002 has an enclosed transmission so apparently it's a bigger deal to get to & fix. Not sure about the 2003 but I'm guessing it's the same. Good luck!
-John
-John
Bob
Thank you!
Explorer.
I have 1994 Explorer with a 1992 A4LD Transmission. I have received a number of responses to my problem. I want to verify before starting the
project.
I have been told that the problem is:
1. The Governor
2. Could be the Torque Convertor
3. Although not likely, it could be the Modulator.
Situation:
I recently installed a 1992 A4LD transmission that was recently
rebuilt: I don't know if the Torque Converter was replaced at that
time. The only difference between the one removed and the new one is
the Modulator. The original Modulator was not adjustable and the one
on this transmission is.
When the vehicle is cooled down, it intermittently is reluctant to
shift i.e. It will start out in first but seems to lack power. The
same is true when it is cold however, it is not intermittent, it simply
lacks go-power. It takes more RPM than normal. It slowly shifts to
second, third. I can punch it and force it to shift although not
always successful. If it does shift it will then shift normally until
it sits for a little while and has the opportunity to cool down.
If I warm up the vehicle to normal operating temperature before
driving, the transmission will shift normally. One again, it may or
may not shift correctly when it has the opportunity to cool down a
little.
Only thing I noted beside this is:
When I open the hood, when cold, I hear what appears to be a vacuum
leak in the area of the EGR Valve however, I cannot find. To be honest with you, I don't know if this is normal. I don't fully understand how the vacuum is created so any input in this area would also be helpful.
What I have learned is:
1. I know how to replace the Modulator and watch for the pin.
2. I also know how to replace the Governor however, "Whatever It
Takes" Transmission parts (WITTrans.com) lists a number of Governors so
I have been told to remove the old one and identify which is installed.
This is questionable from my perspective since I have to literally take
the transfer case off, remove the govener, and order and wait for a
replacement.
3. It has also been recommended that I replace the 30mm Weight with
the Sonix 35mm weight.
I am willing and capable to do all that is recommended however without
confirmation I am hesitant for the following reasons:
1. If the governor will cure the problem great however, If it is not
the governor I will have wasted my time and had a lengthy down time
waiting for the part.
2. Additionally, if it is not the governor and it turns out to be the
torque convertor I will have to do the same process again but have to
remove the tranny on top of this.
3. I have not mentioned the modulator since I am going to replace that
regardless.
What I am asking for:
Confirmation of what I need to replace before I begin and/or the
procedure to verify the problem before I tear it down. Additionally,
if someone can verify which governor to order without first removing
the one installed would be of significant assistance.
Thanks In Advance.
IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE GREAT BUT NOT FORWARD GEARS.
I did a tranny flush, and replace the filter and the modulator.
I tried to do the external band adjustment, but not sure how. I think you go 10 inch lbs then back off 3 1/2 turns.
after doing the work, I can blip the engine 3 or 4 times up to 1500 rpms, and it will literally jump into low gear.
I need a little technical assistance, Thank You