My 86 Aerostar is stuck in the slow lane.

Has anyone checked the fan clutch on you engine to make sure it is no locked up. Belive it or not it can change the way you tranny shifts because it robs horse power from the engine changing shift points. 8) NOS

The only solenoid 's I can think of are inside the trans on the valve body and they are the shift solenoid's and these are controled by the tps which is the Throttle Position sensor. It really sounds like the trans is slipping and not giving you the power to the wheels thus making the motor race. Have you serviced the trans? Automatics are funny there all done by fluid pressure. If fluid doesn't go threw a clutch pack right or if the pack is leaking by it slips and the car don't move very fast, and makes the motor race. Hope this helps you some what. It just sounds to me like your is getting ready to go out on you. 8) NOS

I would do both fluid and filter. In doing so you can also see inside the pan to see if you loosing clutch meterial. Have you ever done a service on this van?Should be done at least every 30,000 miles. Have you checked to see if the fluid smell's burnt? If it smell's burnt I would'nt waste my time or money to service it. 8) NOS