94 A4LD no overdrive.

[offduty]

Okay here is a continuation to the re gear thread I started a few days ago. I did some checking and my 94 Ranger extra cab with 4.0 OHV and A4LD transmission has an 8.8 posi rear with 3:55 gears, the tires are 26.25 tall. With this set up I should be doing 70 @ 2227 rpm's in over drive and I am turning 2700. The overdrive is not kicking in for some reason so that is what I need to fix to get my mileage up and rpm's down. The A4LD trans is a Jasper rebuild about 3 1/2 years old and 100.000 miles on it. I need to service the trans and figure out why the overdrive is not working. Has anyone had issues with the A4LD not going in to overdrive and if so can you steer me in the right direction to fix it? What could be keeping me out of the over drive? Of course I am hoping it is something electrical and simple and not the internals as it really does not have that much mileage on it.

Thanks

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Well, you should be at 2164rpm @70mph with your current setup, and if it were staying in 3rd you would be turning 3182rpm @70. My guess is your transmission is shifting into overdrive but it is not locking up the torque converter. Does the motor rpm increase when you apply throttle? (such as the characteristics of a torque converter).

 

[offduty]

it shifts in to 4th but then not the overdrive after that. According to the guy at the drive line and gear shop I stated the correct rpm's.

 

[gribly]

4th IS the overdrive, you need to find out why the torque converter isn't locking, as was already said.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

1st gear 2.47:1
2nd gear 1.47:1
3rd gear 1.00:1
4th gear 0.75:1

4th gear IS your overdrive. The issue is, the torque converter is slipping (because it is a fluid coupling). The solution is to provide a mechanical means of turning the planetary gearset (thus bypassing the torque converter). Transmissions go about this in several ways. For the A4LD/4R44E/5R55E a solenoid is used to lock a clutch inside the torque converter.

When you are driving down the interstate, de-select overdrive (like you would when towing). If the transmission was in OD, it should downshift. But, it will be slightly higher than the 3182rpm I told you because the torque converter will not lock up. This will ensure that the transmission is capable of shifting into OD and that the problem is within the lock up function of the transmission.

EDIT: You say the trans was a jasper rebuild? I'm willing to bet they did a soft parts rebuild. I doubt they supplied you with a new torque converter (which you should do). They should have hooked you up with a new torque converter with upgraded clutch material and brazed fins.

 

[offduty]

I know it shifts once for each gear shown on the dash but the trans guy who took it for a ride with me in it said it is not going in to overdrive. He said it had fourth but not the overdrive which is not actually a gear Could this simply be the torque converter?

 

[Gotta_gofast]

Take it to a different shop. The guy you have now is not competent enough in my opinion for your business. Overdrive is any speed that allows the output shaft to turn at a greater rate than the input shaft (0.99:1 is technically an overdriven speed, where as 1.00:1 is not) Your overdrive is fine, either the fluid circuit inside the transmission is plugged or faulty, the solenoid is plugged or failing, or you need a new torque converter. None of these issues require a complete transmission overhaul.

 

[gribly]

I agree, guy sounds incompetent for thinking the t/c lockup is an extra overdrive.

 

[adsm08]

Huh, an A4LD with problems, never heard that one before.

I know it shifts once for each gear shown on the dash but the trans guy who took it for a ride with me in it said it is not going in to overdrive. He said it had fourth but not the overdrive which is not actually a gear Could this simply be the torque converter?

As for this guy, he doesn't know what he is doing. He thinks you have a 5-speed auto, instead of a 4-speed. Betting he is only 30 or so, at most.

If you can drive it, watch the tach, and see it shift 3 times (1-2, 2-3, and 3-4), you have your overdrive, you do not have converter lockup.

 

[Rose2300]

^^^
Lolz

 

[adsm08]

You know, I found a permanent fix to the A4LD's problems.

 

[Rose2300]

are you pointing at a part or simply showing you swapped it for an M5OD haha

 

[Gotta_gofast]

^^^that has a lock-up capability on all 5 gears! haha

 

[Rose2300]

haha amazing right! lol

 

[adsm08]

are you pointing at a part or simply showing you swapped it for an M5OD haha

I swapped nothing. I never owned an A4LD.