94 Exporer Transmission noise

[Sir Limey]

94 Explorer 4.0 4wd automatic transmission 230K miles

Have started getting a thumping noise from my transmission.
Goes away when in neutral but really thumps at any speed. Also is very slow in changing into overdrive. Will not change into OD until I am doing arounf 55. Cold weather also makes all hanges slow. Could the drive shaft be having some problrm? Due for fluid change, before I do it am wanting to solve this issue. New alternator and battery 5 Months ago.
Any advice would be appreciated

[shorod]

If it's due for a fluid change, I'd suggest starting there. The fluid is what allows the transmission to shift (along with pumps, solenoids, etc.) but the entire operation of an automatic transmission relies on fluid.

You may also want to consider checking the transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor to see if it is within range as well.

-Rod

[GAGS6996]

Originally Posted by Sir Limey

94 Explorer 4.0 4wd automatic transmission 230K miles

Have started getting a thumping noise from my transmission.
Goes away when in neutral but really thumps at any speed. Also is very slow in changing into overdrive. Will not change into OD until I am doing arounf 55. Cold weather also makes all hanges slow. Could the drive shaft be having some problrm? Due for fluid change, before I do it am wanting to solve this issue. New alternator and battery 5 Months ago.
Any advice would be appreciated

did you ever find out what the problem was? i have the same noise and can't figure it out. thanks john [email protected]

[Sir Limey]

Originally Posted by GAGS6996

did you ever find out what the problem was? i have the same noise and can't figure it out. thanks john [email protected]

No, still have it. Changed Transmission fluid and filter, didn't help at all.
Still open to ideas. Hate to think of a transmission rebuild but may be the only option
Came across this in the Windstar section.
Can anybody verify this?
Re: Trans won't shift when cold
My 1994 Ford Aerostar (208K miles) was slow to shift
when cold. When the engine was cold, I had to rev the engine
-up to shift into first or reverse. It would then shift
with a bang. The solution was to flush out all the old
transmission fluid. This was done with a machine (fluid exchanger)
that connects into the transmission cooling lines and extracts
all old fluid and substitutes new fluid without mixing the two.
The old fluid was dark gray and thick with residue from normal
clutch wear. After replacing all the fluid (15 to 20 quarts),
the transmission pan was drained (4 quarts), removed and
sediment in the pan inspected. Metal particles indicate
damage and soft fine gray sediment indicates normal clutch
wear. My pan had insignificant metal and much soft dark gray
sediment from normal clutch wear. The pan was cleaned and the
filter screen was replaced. After replacing the pan, more
transmission fluid (3 quarts) and one quart of TransX
additive (May or may-not be hoodoo) was added. The
transmission has been shifting like new for one month
now. If I had not performed this maintenence and allowed my
transmission to continue to bang when shifting, I believe that
I would have distroyed the transmission. I also believe that
a transmission shop would have sold me a transmission rebuild
of $2500 minimum instead of the less than $200 service described
above

[hughw]

Strictly a slim possibility...but a couple years ago my 95 explorer
had thumping noise especially at stops....At the time I found a
simular problem in the Forums...fix was removing the battery post
and replacing it to reset the transmission.....Probably not ur problem
but simple to try.