Transmission sticks in 1st, no overdrive, slow to engage drive

[GiggleStick]

Hope somebody here can help.

I just purchased a 1996 Ford Explorer limited with the 4.0 V6 and Auto transmission with overdrive (unsure of transmission model).
(Edit): Forgot to mention the explorer is 4x4

When shifting the transmission from park, neutral, or Reverse to Drive, the transmission acts like it is neutral. However, if you shift the truck into 2nd or 1st, then back up to drive, it shifts right in smoothly.

When driving the truck, while accelerating from a stand still, the transmission seems to get stuck in 1st gear, until you let off the gas. As soon as you remove power from the trans, it shifts right into 2nd smoothly. It has no issues with any other gears. Upshifting and downshifting through 2nd 3rd and 4th are smooth and solid, with no slipping. It appears as if it drops back down to 1st, it gets stuck again, although i have yet to drive it enough to be sure. Overdrive does not appear to work at all.

I have yet to do a transmission filter and fluid change as i just Purchased it yesterday. The fluid looks dark and fluid level is too high. I will be doing that shortly and will update with any changes.

 

[pcollins]

remember to check the fluid with the truck, hot, running, and in park. It will read a little high on the dipstick when its cold as everything has settled into the pan.

 

[GiggleStick]

I have already checked the Fluid, while hot, running in park. It looks as if the guy i bought it from topped off the fluids before showing it, and like a moron, over filled it. It could be the cause, but he said it has been doing it for a while when i purchased it, so there is some doubt in my mind. I will be flushing the fluid and doing a filter change on my next day off.

 

[GiggleStick]

Bad news... Transmission is toast, have 3 rather large pieces of it in the truck now... I believe my mechanic said the primary band, but he was in a rush. I'll be speaking to him shortly for more information. However he did say it was un-repairable, and the trans had to be replaced.

 

[pcollins]

unless the main body of the transmission has been broken or cracked, they are always rebuildable.