A4LD cold weather problems - at -37F in Alaska

[SteveinAlaska]

Now that I have your attention - 1992 Ranger XLT with 3.0 V-6 2 wheel drive with automatic and with 103,000 miles.
I have discovered after warming the truck and backing out of my parking space, I go from reverse to drive........I have NO drive! At this point I will rock my truck back and forth to make sure it will move in both directions and I can navigate all day after that. The fluid level is correct and does not smell burnt or obnoxious. Again, my auto mechanic life was 1970-1980 and I did a fair amount of automatic trans work during that time (AMMCO transmission shop). In fact, I could (or used to ) rebuild Buick Dyna- Flow transmissions ( don't tell anybody) .
My first thoughts are to go to my friendly local transmission shop and do the filter and fluid change which should reveal any major issues when they pull the pan and we look at what is laying in the bottom of the pan. My worry is that I am doing this in the winter and at these temperatures. I would rather wait until the weather gets warmer which might not be until April.
Last, technology has changed and I am wondering if there is a specific fix for this problem and should I be asking the technician to be looking for something in the way of electronic controls?
Thanks for helping the old guy out here. BTW how's your weather?

 

[wildbill23c]

A4LD, there's the problem, they're extremely temperamental it seems...I haven't had much luck with them in a 93 Ranger and my 88 Bronco 2...Ranger had a rebuild that only lasted 13 months, not impressed. Bronco 2 A4LD was rebuilt by AAMCO about 3 years ago no issues so far, but I still don't trust it.

Valve body issues, or solenoids maybe? I'm not very knowledgeable with these things but I'd check for a bad valve body or solenoid issues possibly first. If the fluid is good which it most likely is its more likely an internal issue somewhere causing the no forward problem.