tranny problems on 97 explorer!

i was driving down from fort stewart back home and i was doing about 70 and it started making a loud noise that sounded like a weedwacker and now it does it in reverse and it won't move. it's a 97 4x4 xlt 4.0 with 78k miles. please help!!

I have about same problem as you. Mine is a 97explorer 4.0L sohv 87,XXX miles 4x4. My prob. is when I let of accelerator (30+ mph ) I hear something spinning the instant I touch the gas petal the noise stops even in cruise control. Now sometimes it makes the same sound in revese, but does not go in gear untill I shift back into "Park" then "Reverse", or "Drive" a few times.
What ever the noise is, it sounds like something is spinning the faster I drive the more it spins the slower I go the slower it makes the spinning sound. But it only does it some times and only if I left off the accelerator; Is it the tranny? something not engaging or disengaging?
HELP PLEASE... THANKS

I have about same problem as you. Mine is a 97explorer 4.0L sohv 87,XXX miles 4x4. My prob. is when I let of accelerator (30+ mph ) I hear something spinning the instant I touch the gas petal the noise stops even in cruise control. Now sometimes it makes the same sound in revese, but does not go in gear untill I shift back into "Park" then "Reverse", or "Drive" a few times.
What ever the noise is, it sounds like something is spinning the faster I drive the more it spins the slower I go the slower it makes the spinning sound. But it only does it some times and only if I left off the accelerator; Is it the tranny? something not engaging or disengaging?
HELP PLEASE... THANKS

I hope you have an answer as well! Mine just started doing it a few weeks ago and it took my reverse gear and pump out. It's a 97 Explorer Sport All Track with the 4.0 engine. The shop put a used trannny in yesterday for $1300.00 dollars. A rebuilt will cost 2 to $3000.00 dollars. I pulled out of the shop last night and hit the highway and the same sound came back. Now I'm stuck in Kansas City and the shop doesn't open up until Tuesday as today is Memorial day. I need to be in Southern Oklahoma for my job ASAP and the shop will now have to trouble shoot this problem. Two other mechanics could not figure this one out in the last two weeks and now the damage is done and I'm gonna have another repair bill. Please email me if you know the answer as it could save me hundreds of dollars. If you have not taken yours into the shop...do so quick as it will ruin your transmission and take out the tranny pump first!

Thanks,
Charlie
[email protected]

Well if anyone has the same problem as me I found out it was my transfer case. Just thought I'd let someone know...

Could be transfer case. I have a '97 4x4, 4.0 liter (113,000 mi) that blew up on the freeway yesterday, couldn't drive it. Had it towed to dealership that discovered its the transfer case that needs replacement.

We had previous problems with clunking noises when shifting to 4x4 low to 4x4 high or into reverse while in 4x4. Worked fine otherwise so we ignored the clunks. Then we got the high pitch grinding/ whirring sound when it shifted from overdrive to 4th gear. Shifting to OD helped but when the a/c came on the sound returned. When going 70 on the freeway its a scary sound. We pulled over and when it shifted to lower gears we heard even scarier clunks and grinding. We thought the tranny broke. Couldn't get it back in gear so we had to get it towed.

Quotes for new transfer case range from $2800 at the dealer to $1900 at independent shop (California) includes parts, labor, tax. Local Aamco sop said they had a source in NY that sold rebuilt units that eliminated Ford's problem, cost: $2100. All with 12 mos/12,000 mi warranty. Sources said transfer cases for 1995-1998 were bad news, Ford never did fix so a replacement could repeat the problem.

It's the transfer case. I had mine repalced after the noises at higher speeds and when going into different gears. Try a few of your local auto stores. I ended up buying a rebuilt transfer case from Auto Zone with a 12 month warranty. Cost $650 - $1000.