4R44E with lots of problems - Only goes forward

[maddux317]

The transmission in my 99 3.0 Ranger sport has been on its way out for a while. the problem started with it slipping while taking off from a stop in drive, and a 2-3 flare. I changed the filter and fluid and this helped out for a while. One day while driving, the thermostat stuck and the engine got a little warmer than it should. Ever since this happened, the truck will drive forward no matter if you put the shifter in neutral, reverse, or whatever. Even in park, the truck wants to move forward but it has the brake holding it. The truck still will drive forward and change gears if shifted manually, though 2-3 and 3-4 still flare. Anyone have any suggestions as to what the main cause of this problem could be?

I'm considering my options right now: rebuild or replace. If I rebuild I really want to make sure that if I take the time and money to do it that it fixes the problem. Hopefully someone on here will have some good advice as to what's wrong with this tranny.............. thanks in advance!

 

[lifeissomething]

Manual conversion would be cheapest in the long run. :].

 

[maddux317]

I don't know about that, I could rebuild the auto for under $300 and a manual conversion would cost $600+ and be much more of a headache to do. I just wish I had more experience working with auto trannies. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem may be? Completely burnt up clutches? Valve body problems? Solenoids possibly?

I thought about getting a rebuilt valve body with tested working solenoids and installing it to see what happens, then if that doesn't get it working right I'll just pull the trans and do the full rebuild.

 

[lifeissomething]

I mean that the manual conversion is cheaper because your transmission with last forever if you're decently nice to it. Unlike most "consumer grade" automatics.

I'm speaking with a bias here. I've had six cars in my life. Three that blew auto trannies. Three that had fully functioning manuals. The manuals were driven way harder.

Plus there is something sacred about controlling torque with two disks.

 

[maddux317]

Yeah I'm with you on that, automatics are generally garbage. Everything I've ever owned has been a manual, this truck was just given to me so I'm just using it as a work truck. If I could get another 190,000 (what's on the tranny now) out of it after a rebuild, I'd be just fine with it being an auto though.

Just ordered myself a reman'd valve body w/ tested working solenoids for $106 shipped. Gotta love ebay. As soon as that comes in I'm going to install it and see if that gets the truck going again. If not, the tranny comes out for a full rebuild and torque converter replacement. Wish me luck everyone.......... any input on these trans issues is still grealy appreciated