02 explorer. is there a way to check trans fluid without taking it in to shop?

Check your transmission fluid level. [I rebuilt a C-4 Ford in a college class. Had a big leak. After I put 9 more quarts of trans fluid in it worked. ] 2 quarts low will make it fail. Be sure and use the correct fluid for your brand and year of car. Big Chain advertised Trans rebuild shops are often a scam. They take apart your trans then want thousands to put it back together. The Federal Trade Commission nailed them for this years ago. Find a local shop recommended by several GOOD mechanics. Dealers are usually good but expensive. Most trans repairs can be done without removing the trans. A good shop can test the trans while mounted in the car. Can hook up test hoses and see what is happening. This was true in 1980s when I took the class. Might have electronic tests now. If it is an older trans the fluid is thick. Putting in new thin fluid will make it worse.
Auto Trans are hydraulic "brain surgery" If you can find a guaranteed rebuilt trans that's a good route. Putting it in takes a lot of skill and a lift. My neighbor tried it in his driveway, it failed and after 2 months took it to a shop. Damaged the pump $$$
[I drive a stick shift with crank up windows. It has 4 / 60 Air Conditioning 4 windows open 60 Miles per hour !!! :) Good Luck

Not a job for a person without lots of tools &
vehicle experience

Your going to ties up a parking space, as you
have to support the engine & trans while it is
out

It weighs too much to do alone or on your back

Need a shop with a lift

Why the question?

Having once owned a trans repair shop, I hope
you not planning on installing a used unit (junk
out junk in)

You have to do some testing first to find a problem.

So what is the reason for the question ?

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection. Also check the transmission fluid level. Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot this problem.

========

I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

-----------

Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------

Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------

2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------

Clutch slipping problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------

Dodge Anti slip System is not operating?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

----------

OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------

Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------

Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-----------

TRANSMISSION REPLACING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

http://alltypesofpartsreplacing.blogspot.com/2012/12/transmission-replacing-and.html

---------

These details will help.

Thanks.

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection.Also check the transmission fluid level.Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot these problem.

========
I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html
-----------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------
Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------
2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------
Clutch slipping problem? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------
Dodge Anti slip System is not operating? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------
Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------
Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-----------

These details will help.
Thanks.

Transmission gear assembly and transmission needs inspection. Also check the transmission fluid level. Also is the fluid getting leaked or its low.

There are few very helpful links with solutions to troubleshoot these problem.

========

I suggest you to refer these links.

Click the link below:-----

2000 Toyota Camry: Transmission slipping and Stuck up? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2000-toyota-camry-transmission-slipping.html

-----------
Transmission Slips out of 2nd gear?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-slips-out-of-2nd-gear.html

----------
Car engine Overheats and transmission starts slipping?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-engine-overheats-and-transmission.html

-------------
2006 Ford Explorer: Engine Vibrates and gears slipping?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/2006ford-explorer-engine-vibrates-and.html

---------------
Clutch slipping problem?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/03/clutch-slipping-problem.html

----------
Dodge Anti slip System is not operating?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/dodge-anti-slip-system-is-not-operating.html

----------
OD light flashing and transmission fluid leaking?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/od-light-flashing-and-transmission.html

------------
Transmission fluid leaks near radiator on ford windstar?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/transmission-fluid-leaks-near-radiator.html

-------------
Ford Windstar transmission fluid leaking?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-windstar-transmission-fluid.html

-----------

These details will help.

Thanks.

no dipstick. the trans fluid is pump in with a vacum pump and removed the same way. you may wont to take it to a repiar shop to have it done

I had the same problem on my 04 explorer 4.0 automatic it is a 5r55w trans, anyway when you take it to the trans shop they are going to tell you it needs a solenoid pack, that is licated under the valve body. I had it replaced and that fixed the problem. but abt a year later the trans went out completely, note if you continue to drive the vehicle you will mess up the trans, you need this solenoid pack replaced soon, as it allows fluid to travel to the parts of the trans, at certain pressures and temps. the work cost me $600 at Jerrods trans shop in Denver.

do not do trans flush if car has over 100,000 miles and has never been flushed. if its under 100,000 or has been fushed before it is an easy job. there is a drainplug on trans pan. take out drain fluid. new trans filter will come with new trans pan gasket in most cases. remove trans pan, fliter is behind trans pan

Change fluid and trans filter check magnet in trans pan for metal clean pan with a rag refill with senthic fluid leave a court low let it idle till hot then add a bottle of trans x or lucas leave idlen work the trans from 1st to park letting the trans take gear an let it stay in gear for a little bit then back to park that help move the fluid threw the trans drive easy for a week ir you Lucas pore half qurt of trans fluid in use the rest of fluid to thin down Lucas its really thick repeat till the bottle of lacus is in I hope this helps

From what i can find out you have to take it to the shop