Three problems related to transmission not engage have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
4 wheel drive stuck in low. If switched out of low the transmission disengages from both the front and rear axel so the vehicle just stops. Even though the lights on dash indicate the vehicle is in 4 wheel high the vehicle remains in 4 wheel low. We have had the vehicle for 2 1/2 years and never once used 4 wheel low. With the snow this week I used 4 wheel low to get out of the driveway. I did not go more then 3 feet forward when the transmission became stuck. Nothing I did would fix the problem. When I contacted Ford all they told me was my vehicle was out of warrenty so I had to pay for it. I know from other Explorer owners that this is a common problem. The fear here is that the 4 wheel drive system completely disengages and my vehicle with my family is put at risk as others come up on us at speed. Thanks for the site. Kevin.
When trying to pass, or even when accelerating, the transmission will completely disengage! the problem is that you never know when it's going to happen. This has almost caused me to crash in two cases while passing another vehichle. When this occurs it's as if you intentionally put the transmission in neutral. There is no slippage, just complete disengagement. I have even had it completely shift into neutral while operating in cruise control on the interstate. Believe me it's really scary when your enginge completely tachs out at this speed. It's a wonder the engine didn't blow before I tapped the brake pedal. The transmission has been completely rebuilt twice and repaired once. Costs to me so far in repairing this transmission have been $3000 and counting for the last time. The repairs were made at a Ford dealer and an independent. Again, the transmission is doing the same thing after 13,000 miles. What's bad is that Ford technicians, nor their technical service department, can correct the problem. Their diagnostic equipment shows no problem. I have to take it on the road to show the mechanic how it's operating which takes a pretty good test drive. Again their only suggestion is another complete rebuild since they are clueless. Unfortunatley, this time, it is one thousnand miles over their warranty period. This is extremely dangerous in my opinion. If I'm haveing this trouble, then surely others are experiencing the same. Thanks for your time, and if you need further information please call or contact me. I have all my records.
In searching the internet, I've found there are many people who have suffered the same problems that I have had. I have a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. The climate control system failed in 1998 and I took it to les pinkam Lincoln Mercury in elizabethtown, ky for repair. Without even looking at it, the technician told me that the blend air door had broken and it would costs $800 to repair it. Thinking he was lying, I took it to bill collins Ford in louisville, ky. Again, the same results and repair estimate. Technicians at both places, told me it's a common problem. I eventually had les pinkam repair it. It seems that Ford would design a system that wouldn't require the complete removal of the dash to repair it, much continue with a design with so many problems. Years later and the problem has happened again. In addition I came across TSB article number 98-23-20 in my searches, but couldn't find the article at your web-site. I also have had the transmission rebuilt twice and finally replaced it with one from a salvage yard. I couldn't see repairing it a third time when a Ford technician and private yard couldn't fix it. Both times within 13 months after repair, the car would suddenly completely fail and tach out as if it were in neutral. I could get it to do it with a Ford technician and his code sensor plugged in. This has come close to having me get rear ended on the interstate 65, especially when its in cruise control. For no reason at all the transmission would completely disengage and the engine would almost completely tack out before I could hit the brake pedals to dis-engage. To make a long story short, I've spent almost $6000 in repairs since owning this vehicle. In addition, I've had it in for many recalls. All I've ever got out of Ford or the dealers is, sorry about your luck. Surely there is something your agency can do about this. My transmission problems, were pretty scary.