Tranny is going south...not good

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AWD EXPY

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My 2000 expedition has a 4R100 tranny that is giving me grief. I just got this a couple weeks ago because the budget is super tight now. I'll try to explain in detail what is going on.

When I bought it, the fluid level seems a bit too much (over the do-not-add mark), but maybe this weekend I can do a flush & fill. A tranny guy said it smelled burnt. I hear that an auxiliary cooler can help.

Sometimes when I shift to, or through reverse, the radio might lose power or a random idiot light might briefly come on. I have to shift the lever almost to 2nd to get it in drive. There is a delay when shifting into reverse before moving.

Anytime I first start the vehicle, the tranny works pretty well and quietly until it gets close to shifting into 3rd. Then it worries me. It makes a whirring and ticking noise following rpm. The O/D indicator is flashing then. It will do this until shut off, then restarting it makes it "better" until it hits 3rd again. It shifts through all gears anyway and seems quieter when it hits OD. I think anyway, unless road noise is drowning it out. I drive it like a baby so parts hopefully won't blow up while cruising down the road. The awful noise is there even when taking off in first, but only after the first time it hits 3rd.

When shifting, it seems to wind out mostly in 1st and 2nd. After driving at 40 MPH or higher for 5-10 miles, if I let off the gas, the rpm will slightly increase for just a split second, and as I barely ease back on the gas, the rpm will again raise slightly for a split second as if it came out of OD for a moment.

Just today it started leaking from the front of the tranny. A steady drip every 3 seconds. With a fluid flush, I will add lucas tranny fix treatment unless anyone has a better idea.

What's strange is that if I turn the key off, then start it back up, the tranny is normal with no flashing OD light or bad noise, until it's time to hit 3rd gear.

After starting the motor up and shifting straight to 2nd, I can drive it up easy to 3K RPM, or maybe more, with no issues until I shift into drive and it hit's 3rd.

What gremlins and weasels are messing with it? I need this to be a little more reliable for getting to work. Sorry to be so long winded in my first technical post. Any help and advice is appreciated.
 
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toms89

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Time for tranny rebuild sorry to say.. :(
With your symptoms... don't think I would even waste my time or money on a tranny flush.

I got the dreaded flashing O/D light and whining transmission after I broke my 2nd gear sprag. I had mine rebuilt with turbo diesel internals and improved bands and clutches for very reasonable price.

If you can get the tranny or expy to MD I know someone that does great work at very good prices.
 
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toms89

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Thought I should add that I am in no way a tranny expert but what I stated above is just what I believe to be the case.
 
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