A4LD first gear slipping when cold

[SOAD4.0]

(94 4.0 v6 2wd auto)

So my ranger started having transmission problems about a year ago. It would slip out of first gear if I made a sharp turn or stopped quickly.

The problem grew worse until it was slipping on every stop and corner on my way to work.

I decided to change the fluid and filter and the problem went away....

....for about 3 weeks. Then it came back in full force. I've been just limping it along as I have no money to spend on repairs. Yesterday however, I decided to dump another 1/2 liter of ATF in and the problem went away again.

Any ideas on why this would be?

 

[Flat_Bottom]

It sounds to me like you have a transmission fluid leak somewhere. The stopping and turning points directly to this issue. Are you leaking fluid anywhere? How low was the fluid level after the three weeks, from time it had a fresh fluid and filter to the time it started slipping?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Add 1/4 to 1/2 quart of fluid before you start it cold and see if the issue goes away. If so just run it that way and watch for leaks. A slow leak can be hard to locate how old is the transmission oil filter?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Proof I should read the thread before posting, is there tranny oil on the driveline? Grab the front U joint and see how much it wiggles the rear seal may be leaking when the shaft is spinning due to a worn bushing in the rear housing on the tranny?

 

[SOAD4.0]

I didn't see any fluid leaks and my driveway doesn't show any signs that something is leaking. Something else I should mention is that I don't think the dipstick is giving an accurate reading (or I'm just an idiot haha). The fluid only seems to coat half of the dipstick and it coats it well past the hashmarks. And im fairly certain it's not over-filled. I'll try and post a picture of what I'm talking about.

 

[SOAD4.0]

Eh you couldn't really tell with a picture so nevermind.

Also I checked the driveline and didn't see any signs of transmission fluid. I'm not sure which u joint you're referring to. Where should I be looking?

 

[SOAD4.0]

The bushing didnt show any signs of leaking. There was some evidence of a leak a little farther up, but I believe that's motor oil because that has always leaked

 

[jeremysdad]

Modulator? Did they still have those in 94? Just saying that they will sip transmission fluid on their way out...no obvious smoke, but trans fluid disappears.

Agree that corners and braking will make an auto slip...sometimes the adding a 1/4 qt a day outweighs the cost of the repair, though.

 

[enjr44]

Modulator? Did they still have those in 94? Just saying that they will sip transmission fluid on their way out...no obvious smoke, but trans fluid disappears.

Agree that corners and braking will make an auto slip...sometimes the adding a 1/4 qt a day outweighs the cost of the repair, though.

Yes that trans has a modulator valve, well a A4LD trans has one. You can see it in the right hand picture in the tech section.

And, SOAD4.0, if modulator valve gets a small hole in it, the vacuum line attached to it will suck trans fluid into the engine and burn it. A big hole will burn a lot of it and the trans will not shift correctly. Pull the line off the modulator valve and see if there is any fluid in it (or just change the valve they are about $30 bucks). And, by the way, the 2wh and 4wh valves are different (don't know why).