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Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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bondarenko
New User
Dec 3, 2012, 9:18 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1650 views)
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Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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I've got a '92 Ford Aerostar mini-van that has been a great vehicle. 3.0L V-6 w/ 4 speed AOD trans, 245,000 miles.
Truck has been very reliable and the engine/drivetrain trouble-free - until today.
Had just pulled away from a stoplight, got up to about 25 - 30 mph when the vehicle acted as though it had suddenly been shifted into neutral
(engine revved up, loss of drive force). Pulled it off the road, no forward motion in any gear position, no reverse.
Obviously, I've got issues, but could use some help in determining what precisely may have failed in the trans.
A little background: Trans fluid is good and fresh and clean. Have always serviced trans. every 10,000 miles. Have had the vehicle since about '95, bought w / 60,000 miles on the clock. Vehicle always driven very gently (no slamming from R to D while in motion, no hard acceleration),
I do periodically pull a small trailer w/ about 500 - 600 lbs of weight.
Trans. has always been trouble free, no leaks now or in the past, never any sign of contamination of the fluid or excessive heat.
After it failed, I didn't hear any unusual sounds from the tranny (no grinding, clanking, groaning or whirring).
One note: a couple of times in the past few months, after the vehicle had been parked on a slight grade in my backyard for several days, the trans would initially engage, but after jockeying between D and R to move the vehicle out of the driveway, it would not engage in either "Drive or "Reverse" for just a few seconds before then properly going into gear. At the time, I chalked it up to the vehicle being parked on an incline for a prolonged period and fluid draining out of the valve body and/or torque converter.
Anyone had a similar experience? Any suggestions on the most likely causes of the problem?
Thanks for your help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 4, 2012, 6:07 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1608 views)
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Re: Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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! Most likely at 21 years and 1/4 million miles? Anything. If original it owes you nothing now.
Some things that could do that with your description include sudden loss of fluid or fluid pressure, part has plain broken critical to any operation or something like the filter dropped down and can't pick up fluid to pump.
I doubt you'll hear anything but a complete overhaul suggested if you think the vehicle is worth it at all.
Try checking fluid with engine off and again when running. If no change in level or totally wrong that is the up front issue that may have caused more damage. I doubt anyone is going to tear it down and just try one item and tell you it's all fine again for a long time or miles,
T
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Dec 4, 2012, 7:04 AM
Post #3 of 5
(1603 views)
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Re: Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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We have a Chevy Venture with 143k miles. Earlier this year we were driving down the interstate, and out of nowhere, the tranny lost all gears. I pulled it out to rebuild and found out the cause. The pump shaft broke so it no longer pumped fluid. It ended damaging other internal parts. I think the best thing to do is to take it to a transmission shop and have them diagnose it. They will be able to tell you what needs to be done. I wish ours would've lasted as long as your has!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 4, 2012, 8:01 AM
Post #4 of 5
(1593 views)
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Re: Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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Actually MG you know this as well as anyone. Transmissions are wearing items. The extraordinary care of this one sure seems to have prolonged its life.
Side note on some of my own or tracked from new that did make close to the 250K mark with every bit of care they could have had AND easy use. Those vehicles ran and drove just fine but I wouldn't trust that many miles for a long, long trip mostly because of the transmission with no symptoms of any problems.
They are full of moving parts, exposed to heat extremes, cold extremes along with every bump and vibration a vehicle makes at the miles. Even if one was redone along that many miles you can't be sure of every last thing in them as new again and wouldn't be surprised if it was on a third.
Have some gone longer and further - yes but certainly not the rule, - T
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bondarenko
New User
Dec 4, 2012, 8:54 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1582 views)
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Re: Please help troubleshoot '92 Aerostar trans problem
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You're right. After 250K miles, the trans has certainly lived up to any reasonable expectation for service life.
I'm intrigued by the suggestion of a possible pump failure. A couple of knowledgeable folks I've spoken with also suggested that as a possible cause.
Will likely try and get the problem diagnosed by a reliable shop, but like to have some idea what the likely problems are beforehand. At that point will have to decide whether it's worth the money to repair or perhaps replace with a used trans. (a reman. unit is likely to cost more than the truck is worth), or just sell the vehicle as is. All three options offer benefits and risks.
Thanks for the feedback. Any other hypotheses will be appreciated.
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