JIM: HELP NEEDED.

Not sure which trans you have but you are right, these things never heal themselves. There may be a code stored yet - it may serve to give us an indication if the problem was electrical or mechanical. Unfortunately, continuing to operate the equipment knowing there is a problem only adds to the financial load. It doesn't take much slipping to heat bands or clutch elements to the point where they alter their shape. Once they start to bind up, they probably wont appear to slip when they're applied but they will be in a slipping condition when not applied.

I have a TorqueShift apart as we speak.... the fibre plates became warped so badly from the heat that I had to use a press to compress the clutches to get the snap rings out. The clutch drums and hydraulics had been damaged from the heat and the debris killed a lot of other parts.

At the very least, I would recommend a transmission service... check the fluid condition, colour and odour, check the pan and filter for tattletales. To check for any possible internal leaks, the valve body can be removed and the apply pistons air tested. Any competent transmission sho should be able to handle this quite easily. If you don't have a shop inmind, check with friends, relatives and coworkers to see if they have had any experiences...

I have a 99 explorer XLT. I believe I may have broken a gasket in my tranny.

About 2 months ago, I noticed that my OVERDRIVE light began to flash off and on the dash once in a while. When it did this, it felt like I was driving my truck in low gear. Really sluggish, and high RPM in first and second and third gear. (3000 RPM) I would pull over and cycle the truck. OFF then On would usually fix the problem temporarily. ( I had no time in my schedule to bring it in)

2 weeks later I noticed that when accelerating and going into second gear and third gear the tranny would slip. I would get a high rev (approx. 4500RPM) and then it would shift into the gear.

This did this for about a month, and as long as I babied it, I knew it would be ok, until I had the time to bring it in. The as quickly as it started, it stopped.

It has been a week and a half now, and not one flashing light, no high RPM, and no slipping whatsoever. I am a bit concerned as to how a mechanical issue could fix itself. What do you think it is and should I bother making an appointment now that it is not doing anything?

I am unsure if the ford mechanics will be able to troubleshoot something that is now "working fine".

Thanks a lot for your help,

-Andy

Thanks Jim,

I think I will bring it in. I was just worried about paying a deductible for them to find nothing. But of you think there may still be a code stored in there somewhere, I will DEFINITELY bring it in.

Always appreciative,

I have a 99 explorer XLT. I believe I may have broken a gasket in my tranny.

About 2 months ago, I noticed that my OVERDRIVE light began to flash off and on the dash once in a while. When it did this, it felt like I was driving my truck in low gear. Really sluggish, and high RPM in first and second and third gear. (3000 RPM) I would pull over and cycle the truck. OFF then On would usually fix the problem temporarily. ( I had no time in my schedule to bring it in)

2 weeks later I noticed that when accelerating and going into second gear and third gear the tranny would slip. I would get a high rev (approx. 4500RPM) and then it would shift into the gear.

This did this for about a month, and as long as I babied it, I knew it would be ok, until I had the time to bring it in. The as quickly as it started, it stopped.

It has been a week and a half now, and not one flashing light, no high RPM, and no slipping whatsoever. I am a bit concerned as to how a mechanical issue could fix itself. What do you think it is and should I bother making an appointment now that it is not doing anything?

I am unsure if the ford mechanics will be able to troubleshoot something that is now "working fine".

Thanks a lot for your help,

-Andy