Troubleshooting Transmissions | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Troubleshooting Transmissions

dallasmef

Active Member
Joined
July 9, 2008
Messages
51
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0
City, State
Dallas, TX
Year, Model & Trim Level
1997 Explorer XLT
Transmission Slippage
Problem Solution
Low fluid level Check and add fluid
Wrong fluid grade Check oil fluid
Loose drum bands, or Broken Check tension and tighten or replace as needed
Transmission pump suction restricted Remove and clean screen/filter
Faulty shift sensors Replace solenoids and related shift sensors
Transmission control valve body gasket leakage Remove valve body and inspect gaskets
Weak or broken pressure regulating valve spring Do Transmission System Pressure Test
Low transmission pump flow due to worn pump Do Transmission Pump Flow Test
Clutch cut-off valve sticking Remove and inspect clutch cut-off valve
Restricted modulation orifice housing orifices Remove control valve housing and check for restrictions in valve and valve
Excessive transmission element leakage Do Transmission Element Leakage Test Using System Pressure
Worn clutch disks/plates Replace clutch disks/plates



Unit Will Not Move
Problem Solution
Low or no transmission pressure See Transmission Pressure is low (all gears) or Transmission Pressure is low (one or two gears)
Service brakes will not release Do Brake Pedal Operational Check. Do Service and Park Brake System Drag Checks
Park brake applied or parkswitch misadjusted Adjust park brake switch
Stuck control valve spool Check shift linkage operation. Disconnect shift linkage from control valve spool and check linkage movement.
Failed torque converter Do Torque Converter Stall Test. If engine pulldown is normal, torque converter is good
Broken shafts or gears Drain transmission to determine if large pieces of metal contamination are present
Broken drive shafts Inspect drive shafts and universal joints for external damage. Repair
Broken ring or pinion gear If drive shafts rotate with transmission in gear but unit does not move, a differential failure is indicated. Repair


Transmission Pressure Is Low (All Gears)
Problem Solution
Low oil level Check transmission oil level and refill if necessary
Switch failure Verify transmission system pressure. Do Transmission System Pressure Test
Suction strainer is plugged Transmission pump may be noisy if transmission suction screen is clogged. Drain transmission. Remove and clean suction screen. Also, check condition of transmission filter.
Transmission pressure regulating valve is stuck or spring is broken Remove transmission pressure regulating valve. Inspect for damage
Control valve gasket failure Inspect transmission control valve for external leakage. Remove control valve. Inspect or replace gasket.
Transmission pump is failed Do pump flow test


Transmission System Pressure Is Low (One or Two Gears)
Problem Solution
Failed transmission control valve gasket Inspect transmission control valve for external leakage. Remove control valve. Inspect or replace gasket.
Clutch piston or seal ring leakage Disassemble and repair



Transmission Shifts Too Slow
Problem Solution
Low oil level (aeration of oil) Check and add oil
Low transmission pressure Do Transmission System Pressure Test
Transmission pump suction screen restricted Remove and clean screen
Low transmission pump flow Do Transmission Pump Flow Test
Excessive transmission element leakage Do Transmission Element Leakage Test Using System Pressure
Oil passages restricted between control valve body and transmission elements Remove control valve body and inspect oil passages
Clutch cut-off valve sticking Remove and inspect cut-off valve



Transmission Shifts Too Fast
Problem Solution
System pressure too high Do Transmission System Pressure Test
Stuck modulation valve Remove and inspect modulation valve
Stuck or missing forward/reverse check valve Inspect transmission control valve body
Broken piston return spring Disassemble and inspect clutch



Unit "Creeps" in Neutral
Problem Solution
Warped disks and plates in transmission Check transmission



Transmission Hydraulic System Overheats
Problem Solution
High oil level Check and adjust
Low oil level Check and correct
Wrong oil grade Check oil grade
Lube lines pinched, restricted, or leaking Check cooler lines
Unit operated in too high gear range Operate unit in correct gear range
Temperature gauge or sender malfunction Install temperature sensor to verify temperature. Do Tachometer/Temperature Reader Installation Procedure.
Air flow through oil cooler or radiator restricted Do Radiator Air Flow Test
Oil cooler thermal relief bypass valve stuck Bypass thermal bypass valve and check to see if unit still overheats. Do Transmission Oil Cooler Thermal Bypass Valve Test
Oil cooler internally restricted Do Oil Cooler Restriction Test
Warped disks and plates in transmission Do Transmission Clutch Drag Check
Leakage in transmission hydraulic system Do Converter-Out Pressure Test. Do Transmission Element Leakage Test
Low transmission pump output Do Transmission Pump Flow Test



Excessive Transmission Noise (under load or no load)
Problem Solution
Engine slow idle too low Check engine slow idle speed
Parts worn or damaged in transmission Remove transmission suction screen. Inspect for metal particles. Repair as necessary
Low or no lube Do Converter-Out and Lube Pressure Test. Do Transmission Pump Flow Test
Incorrect type of oil Change oil

High oil level Drain some oil
Low oil level Add oil
Air leak on suction side of pump Check oil pickup tube on side of transmission



Unit Vibrates
Problem Solution
Aerated oil Check and add oil
Failed universal joints on transmission drive shaft or differential drive shafts Check universal joints



Unit Lacks Power And Acceleration
Problem Solution
Engine fast idle speed set too low Check fast idle adjustment
Incorrect transmission oil Check oil
Aerated oil Check and add oil
Low transmission pressure Do Transmission System Pressure Test.
Warped transmission clutch Do Transmission Clutch Drag Checks
Brake drag Do Brake Drag Check
Clutch cut-off valve sticking Remove and inspect clutch cut-off valve
Low engine power Do Engine Power Test



Torque Converter Stall RPM Too High
Problem Solution
Aerated oil Put clear hose on thermal bypass outlet port. Run unit to check for bubbles in oil
Converter relief valve stuck open Do Converter-Out Pressure Test
Torque converter seal leakage Do Converter-Out Pressure Test
Torque converter not transferring power (bent fins, broken stator) Remove and inspect torque converter



Torque Converter Stall RPM Too Low
Problem Solution Low engine power Do Engine Power Test
Mechanical malfunction Remove and inspect torque converter
 



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I have several of these, got a 97 explorer 4.0ohv 5r55e and the other day while on the highway it felt as if it popped out of gear and had to stop turn it off and restart before it would engage again. Now it shifts way too fast and I cant go over 50mph because the rpms are out the roof. any help would be appreciated
 






Check Fluid Level?

2004 Explorer, build tag transmission code "V", has no means of checking fluid level.

How is this accomplished? Thanks. imp
 






just a quick question i have a 98 explorer with a rebuilt trans that is off warrenty but only has 6k on it and it seem like it goes in gear but only creeps i was told a torque conveter that sound right
 






What do I need to replace if fluid is pouring out from the bell housing cover plate after it gets warmed up. After alot of fluid is dumped out it, of course don't shift right. I'm leaning towards the front pump seal. It's a 99 ford explorer with a e engine code. So I believe it is the 5r55e

Any other ideas?
Thanks!
 






What do I need to replace if fluid is pouring out from the bell housing cover plate after it gets warmed up. After alot of fluid is dumped out it, of course don't shift right. I'm leaning towards the front pump seal. It's a 99 ford explorer with a e engine code. So I believe it is the 5r55e

Any other ideas?
Thanks!

IMO, only other trans. fluid leak source in that location, other than cracked (unlikely) converter or pump cover seal (not certain if this one uses "O"-ring or gasket (also unlikely to POUR out oil). Front seal most likely culprit.

A pressure check would be in order, to rule out excessive pressure caused by sticking/stuck pressure control solenoid. NO seal will effectively retain very high pressure......imp
 






96 explorer 2wd od light ias flashing and I have disconnected battery and it still upshifts and down shifts hard after the light comes on @ 40 with od off and 60 with it on p0741 code plz help.
 






overdrive band

on my 98 Explorer i adjusted the bands and it started workin. After i shut the truck off it does noth9n cwn anyone help? I tried adjusting ot again and the bolt on the front band never got tight.
 






on my 98 Explorer i adjusted the bands and it started workin. After i shut the truck off it does noth9n cwn anyone help? I tried adjusting ot again and the bolt on the front band never got tight.

Broken band, or strut fell out of place on band. imp
 






Thanks so thats why its throwin the p1762 dtc
 






What about overdrive, my truck is a 95 with 4r55e. Today I changed the filter and fluid, and I adjusted the belt. There was no difference. There is no flashing light or check engine light. I have power at the fuse and at OD switch. Can you give me any suggestions? Thanks, Dave.
 






What about overdrive, my truck is a 95 with 4r55e. Today I changed the filter and fluid, and I adjusted the belt. There was no difference. There is no flashing light or check engine light. I have power at the fuse and at OD switch. Can you give me any suggestions? Thanks, Dave.

That vintage transmission did not yet have the self-diagnosing abilities of the later ones. It lacked several shaft speed sensors, which alert the computer to improper/unexpected rotational speeds relative to one-another-- there are 3 main shafts involved, transmission input, intermediate, and output shaft. Engine speed is already known, and is compared with input shaft to derive, for example, info about Torque Converter Clutch not working properly. Likewise, the others pinpoint failed components like clutches, band, and servos. imp
 






i have a nintey six 4.0 exploer xlt 4 wheel drive. it started haveing slipping problems i changed fluid and filter. dumb guy at az gave me wrong filter. installed and test drove, no reverse. checked fluid wouldnt read on dipstick. i purchased another filter this time it had the circle thing around it like the one i took off. added 2 qts lucas and several castrol high mileage tranmsission fluid. shifts ok but when i put in reverse, it goes in slow and it kinda shakes if u give it a lil gas, what could this be?
 






Weird Problem - noisy pump maybe?

I replaced the engine in my 2000 XLT 5.0 recently. Long story short, the truck sat in the driveway for 4 months before I put the new engine in. Alot of the tranny fluid drained out when I pulled the dipstick tube from the hole. Once I got the motor running I tried putting it in gear and nothing. Remembering the leak I added about 2.5 quarts of fluid and still nothing. I thought the screeching/howling sound under the truck was coming from the motor somewhere but after reading your question above, I went and listened again and would bet it was the tranny but am not 100% positive, only 99.995%. Another weird thing - when trying any of the gears, the motor revs actually increased rather then drop when the tranny engaged. The truck has about 187K on it; not sure about the tranny. It was working great when the motor died. Any ideas? Thanks.
 






I replaced the engine in my 2000 XLT 5.0 recently. Long story short, the truck sat in the driveway for 4 months before I put the new engine in. Alot of the tranny fluid drained out when I pulled the dipstick tube from the hole. Once I got the motor running I tried putting it in gear and nothing. Remembering the leak I added about 2.5 quarts of fluid and still nothing. I thought the screeching/howling sound under the truck was coming from the motor somewhere but after reading your question above, I went and listened again and would bet it was the tranny but am not 100% positive, only 99.995%. Another weird thing - when trying any of the gears, the motor revs actually increased rather then drop when the tranny engaged. The truck has about 187K on it; not sure about the tranny. It was working great when the motor died. Any ideas? Thanks.


To me it sounds like you may have broken the pump on the transmission. This can happen when changing the motor. The torque converter not being properly pushed in and when the motor and tranny were being bolted up could have cause you to brake the pump. I hope this helps some without hearing the actual noise it is hard to diagnose.
 






i have a nintey six 4.0 exploer xlt 4 wheel drive. it started haveing slipping problems i changed fluid and filter. dumb guy at az gave me wrong filter. installed and test drove, no reverse. checked fluid wouldnt read on dipstick. i purchased another filter this time it had the circle thing around it like the one i took off. added 2 qts lucas and several castrol high mileage tranmsission fluid. shifts ok but when i put in reverse, it goes in slow and it kinda shakes if u give it a lil gas, what could this be?


If your vehicle has quite a few miles on it when you change the filter and fluid you actually may have caused more problems then you fixed.
 






I have a 95 explorer. I hit a dip pretty good and drove home fine, but the next day I got 4 miles away from my house when it wouldn't move forward. It moved with high Rpm but at a snails pace. No burning smell from trans oil, trans oil is clean and red, and no drips, trans oil level is fine too. Any suggestions?
 



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1996 Mazda B4000 4x4

Great Forum and info here!!
I am told my Mazda has the ford transmission. When you first start it, it will not go into reverse for 30 seconds or so, when it does it is usually with a jerk. It does not do this after it has warmed up. Also, sometimes when shifting up as you first start driving, you can tell it does not shift correctly, and indicator light starts flashing. If I shut it down and restart it, it works perfect.

I have heard it may simply be a sensor that determines what gear it is in.??

ANY Clues???

Thanks for ANY help
 






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