hanging on to 1st gear too long- A4LD

[klafrance]

I've got a 90 4.0L with teh A4LD transmission

It stays in first way too long, finally shifting to 2nd around 3500 - 4000 rpm and shifting hard. I'm afraid the transmission shop is going to tell me i need a new transmission. it shifts just fine between all of the other gears and on the way back down. as it warms up, it shifts a little softer, but still not until at least 3500 rpm.

any suggestions?

 

[fordman8991]

I've got a 90 4.0L with teh A4LD transmission

It stays in first way too long, finally shifting to 2nd around 3500 - 4000 rpm and shifting hard. I'm afraid the transmission shop is going to tell me i need a new transmission. it shifts just fine between all of the other gears and on the way back down. as it warms up, it shifts a little softer, but still not until at least 3500 rpm.

any suggestions?

could be something as simple as low fluid... it happened to me once. or it could be going out if it is you should get it fixed asap to prevent further damage and further costs.

 

[klafrance]

fluid is fine, just checked that the other day. Was wondering if anyone had similar experiences and if it was a sensor or solenoid or if the transmission might indeed be going bad.

 

[Psychopete]

fluid is fine, just checked that the other day. Was wondering if anyone had similar experiences and if it was a sensor or solenoid or if the transmission might indeed be going bad.

I accidentially broke the kick down cable mount at the firewall dropping a 2.9L into my truck and it shifted because the kick down was no longer functiong.

Also make sure your vacuum line isn't cracked or anything like that.

Might be a good idea to have it looked at.

Pete

 

[MAKG]

If this thing has a vacuum modulator (and I think it does), check to see if it's blown. If it is, the transmission will think you're at full throttle all the time.

Grab a hand vacuum pump, pull off the line at the intake manifold, and see if it will hold vacuum. ATF inside the line is a giveaway.

 

[klafrance]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I ended up taking it to a transmission shop, turns out a vacuum hose was not attached. I had the shop service the tranny (fluid and filter) and they reattached the vacuum hose, runs fine now. the guy could easily have tried to tell me i needed a new tranny or a rebuild, but he was cool. If anyone needs some honest work done in Salt Lake City, I've had good experience with Lelis Transmission.

Anyhow, another question: How hard/easy is it to do the drain and refill myself? obviously a little more involved than changing oil, but are there any special considerations or tools required to do the yearly maintenance on my transmission?

Thanks

 

[Rabbit]

Did you by chance find out where exactly the vacuum line was disconnected at. I'm having the same problem.

 

[klafrance]

not sure exactly, think it was on top of the transmission. it was definitely some place that you kind of need to know to look. I was under the truck a bit and didn't see anything loose. my suggestion would be to get a good diagram from a repair manual and check each one. Had I the time to take it to my father's garage where i could get it up on stands, I probably could have found it myself. sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[derekj]

The vacuum line comes off of the modulator and loops backwards to a metal line that goes up to the top of the tranny. It then has a piece of line that goes to the vacuum fitting on the back of the intake manifold. Check those 2 sections of line.

Derek