4 speed Auto Box Bother - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

MattMackay · 09-24-2002, 20:35

Ever since I bought my 94 ED Falcon last year, I 've had a bit of a poor change from 1-2 or from 2-3 (I could never tell). My normal mechanic checked it out when I first got the car and told me it was a busted solenoid and it would cost about $400 to fix, so I didn't worry about it at the time.

But, a year later, I decided to take it to an auto trans specialist and he took it around the block once and then concluded that it had a broken band, so it was never using second gear at all! (WTF?) and it had been changing to third, which is why it would never kick down properly from third as it would try to go to second and it couldn't so it would go to first and be revving too high so it would go back to third and so on in a nasty kangaroo hopping fashion.

So, the guy there reckons that to replace the band, I am looking at a total overhaul of the gearbox, which will cost $1600+.

Should I tell him he's dreamin?

Is it worth doing or should I look around for a second hand box?

How much would a reconditioned 4 speed go for do you reckon?

And while I plan to get a second (or third) opinion next week, does this guys diagnosis of the problem sound right or do you reckon it would in fact be a solenoid?

Thanks for your help dudes,

Matt

AUII_Forte · 09-24-2002, 21:37

By poor change, what do you mean? Does it bang or slip or what? If it was changing from 1st to 3rd, the car would be labouring a lot so you'd probably notice it.

09-25-2002, 00:09

You can get a Brand New 4 speed Auto for $1800 so sounds like he's dreaming a bit. But I'm guessing he's including labour in that which will cost you a few hundred dollars extra.

old_mate · 09-26-2002, 03:29

Where can u get a brand new BTR85LE for 1800 from? If its possible, I'll take one :)

1600 is about right for a rebuild, these 4 speeds IMO were undercooked and rushed so the EA wasnt hindered by that busted arse 3 speed any longer than it had to be.
U can upgrade to a newer gearbox from a EB 2 (BTR95LE, I think EF has 97LE??? and buggers me what the rest got) but because the EA has a seperate computer to run the auto u will need to change the ECU to a later model one, then have a blast bypassing smartlock and all that crap.

you could get a 2nd hand box for 500 odd dollars, but if it goes ok be aware it wont last for a very long time. These things never really do.....such a shame, cos when they are in good nick I find they are a very smooth box.

09-26-2002, 06:55

I saw them for sale at that price from some transmission place in one of the parts peddler magazines for $1800

How much do they normally cost?

CATman · 09-27-2002, 03:31

mmm, my auto 4 speed EA, when you floor it, it will really push me into my seat as it really slaps into second gear, as well as when it goes into 3rd gear.its doesn't do it when I drive the car nice and so it gets diven fairly good latly as I would like to leave the auto in it as long as possible. but I think that if I did have an auto prob, I woudl put a T5 into my car, would fix all my problems.
catch ya Jason

Moran · 02-23-2004, 04:08

My problem was with 3 Speeds I kept killing them mostly from stop start peak hour traffic I fixed it 18 mnts ago I replaced it with a T5 (5 speed manual) now it behaves :)