A4LD will not engage into overdrive

[DangerRanger9378]

So I've searched and searched but I just can't find anyone with the same problems I'm having with this transmission. If you know of an existing thread, please post a link or something.

Here goes: I've had a problem for a little while now where the truck will not engage into OD when on an incline, it will go into D, and after a moment, it "clunks" into gear and then I can move it to OD and take off. The other day I did this as I normally do except it disengaged and the motor just revved. Now it will not engage into any gear on an incline, including reverse, but it will go into reverse and the lower gears when on level ground. Now I can't get it to engage into OD at all. I checked the fluid, and the levels are fine. I have yet to drop the pan to inspect the fluid and valves, but I suspect something has broken internally. I really hope it's a simple fix but my instinct tells me otherwise. The truck would drive fine otherwise except for the occasional slipping while going uphill.

To all the pros out there, any idea what could cause this? Oh, I am driving a 1993 Ranger XLT 3.0 4x4 with A4LD

Thanks!

 

[Bronco21990]

Sounds like you need to drop the pan and look at the filter. It could be plugged or darn close to it. A band adjustment might be needed also. Pump issues could be another factor.

 

[stuntsunltd.]

A4LD OD Problems

The a4ld transmission uses electronic shift solenoids. Sounds like these are failing. A family member had similar problem with one slipping. New shift solenoids, a fresh filter and fill with mercon V did the trick.

 

[DangerRanger9378]

Thanks for the replies. I dropped the pan and the fluid looked fine, a little dark but nothing out of the ordinary. I replaced the filter and O rings and filled with new fluid. I wanted to test the solenoids while I had the pan off, but my ohm meter decided to crap out on me and I don't really know of any other way to test them.

All back together and no change. When I put it in D, it engages and moves immediately, but when put into overdrive, it engages, but doesn't move and the engine just revs. You can tell something is happening in overdrive, but it's not engaging the gears.

I have a feeling that something is broken in the clutch side of things. Do you guys know if this is a possibility? Would the other forward gears still work?