Should trans shop take care of this for me?

35Remmy · 11-09-2009, 07:10 PM

So my transmission was rebuilt 12,430 miles ago. The warranty was for 12,000 miles.

The past week I thought I noticed the transmission slipping out of OD for a split second, and the RPM's increasing 200, maybe twice in 5 days. Today I'm on the highway for 45 minutes and it did this about 7 times. Not under load...only when I'm going downhill. I'm doing 68-70 and the transmission just slightly raises the engine 200 RPM's and then it drops back down. Same trip back, it did it only once.

I'm thinking TCC solenoid maybe? I can MAKE the transmission do the same thing by tapping the brake pedal while my foot is still on the gas. Same exact RPM increase (200).

I called the trans shop and it's going in Thursday. I want to bring up the point that I spent 2 grand having them rebuild it (they are a very reputable shop)...430 miles is a mere 2 1/2 weeks of driving for me. I'm wondering if he'll just take care of it? If it was just a TCC solenoid and he won't, I know it's not a big deal, either. Solenoid and gasket/fluid.

What do you guys think?

**BrooklynBay** · 11-09-2009, 07:14 PM

Which vehicle is this for? Did you try to adjust the bands, and check the fluid level in the transmission?

35Remmy · 11-09-2009, 08:26 PM

Brooklyn...sorry...it's my '99 4.0 5R55E. No, I didn't adjust the bands. Fluid level is perfect.

Jack Flash · 11-09-2009, 09:27 PM

only dropping 200rpm sounds more like a torque converter problem. it sounds like your converter is unlocking & and then locking up again. plus, the converter could be causing slippage. tapping on the brake pedal unlocks the converter; doesn't kick the tranny out of OD.

,
,

Jack...just a thought.

**BrooklynBay** · 11-09-2009, 09:33 PM

The TCC on the 5R55E has slippage programmed into it since it uses PWM to cycle it. The older TCC solenoids in the A4LD were plain on/off solenoids.

35Remmy · 11-09-2009, 09:42 PM

Jack, the TCC solenoid allows the torque converter to lock/unlock, doesn't it?

Brooklyn...what is PWM? I understand that slippage is allowed between shifts, but why would this occur while cruising, in OD, at a steady speed? It has never done this before, I am certain. I'm a fanatic at monitoring what's going on while I'm driving...it's habitual after 4 years of sweating my @ss off working in military engine rooms. <working on POS GM diesels>

OIC...Pulse Width Modulation...I believe mine is far in excess of the allowed range! I would think that PWM would occur without noticeable incident to the driver! Although we are talking about 11 year old technology here. Nah, something is up, I am certain.

**BrooklynBay** · 11-09-2009, 09:52 PM

The TCC & EPC solenoids are considered high wear parts because they are constantly cycling with various stages of PWM. The older TCC solenoids had a rest period when they were unlocked, unlike the new ones which are always doing something. This also puts a lot of wear & tear on the valve body, and the gaskets. The bolts get loose, and the gaskets leak on these transmissions.

nitro71 · 11-10-2009, 12:33 AM

I wish you the best on your transmission but 12K warranty and reputable don't really belong in the same sentence.

35Remmy · 11-10-2009, 07:00 PM

Brooklyn...there's no way it should need replacing every 12,000 miles!!! Oh, by the way, my OD on/off button isn't working, either. If I press it, nothing happens; no light, etc.

Nitro...NY state is the only area I have lived in where all of the transmission shops offer only a 12,000 mile warranty. I know...it's ridiculous. In PA and NJ 24,000 miles is the normal warranty. Around here the only thing they know how to work on is 25 year old vehicles. It's a joke.

35Remmy · 11-12-2009, 05:58 PM

OK, so trans shop looked at my truck today. They couldn't find anything wrong. The owner checked the TCC solenoid, it was fine. He "scoped" the TPS (not sure what this entails) and it was fine. He said he has a video for me to watch that shows the operation of the transmission and everything looks perfect. There aren't any codes stored so he basically told me that based upon his diagnosis there is nothing to be concerned about; he has nothing else to go by.

The OD on/off button is just not working-I have to figure that one out. Whether it's the shift lever switch, a bad wire, I don't know.

Well, I guess I just have to wait for a code to get stored. The trans never did this before and I find it hard to believe that this is normal. Oh, and he didn't charge me...

11-09-2009, 07:10 PM	#1
35Remmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Binghamton NY, Hazleton PA, Northern NJ '88,'99 Ranger, '00 EX Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 602 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Should trans shop take care of this for me? So my transmission was rebuilt 12,430 miles ago. The warranty was for 12,000 miles. The past week I thought I noticed the transmission slipping out of OD for a split second, and the RPM's increasing 200, maybe twice in 5 days. Today I'm on the highway for 45 minutes and it did this about 7 times. Not under load...only when I'm going downhill. I'm doing 68-70 and the transmission just slightly raises the engine 200 RPM's and then it drops back down. Same trip back, it did it only once. I'm thinking TCC solenoid maybe? I can MAKE the transmission do the same thing by tapping the brake pedal while my foot is still on the gas. Same exact RPM increase (200). I called the trans shop and it's going in Thursday. I want to bring up the point that I spent 2 grand having them rebuild it (they are a very reputable shop)...430 miles is a mere 2 1/2 weeks of driving for me. I'm wondering if he'll just take care of it? If it was just a TCC solenoid and he won't, I know it's not a big deal, either. Solenoid and gasket/fluid. What do you guys think?

11-09-2009, 07:14 PM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,677 Vehicle Specs	Which vehicle is this for? Did you try to adjust the bands, and check the fluid level in the transmission? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

11-09-2009, 09:27 PM	#4
Jack Flash Wannabe Elite Explorer Ethel, MS (3) '88 BII's, '99 Ranger Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 355 Vehicle Specs	only dropping 200rpm sounds more like a torque converter problem. it sounds like your converter is unlocking & and then locking up again. plus, the converter could be causing slippage. tapping on the brake pedal unlocks the converter; doesn't kick the tranny out of OD. , , Jack...just a thought. __________________ Jack of All Trades Retired From Most www.internationalcuemakers.com www.jimboarmy.com Latest Project: '86 Ranger 4X4

11-09-2009, 09:33 PM	#5
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,677 Vehicle Specs	The TCC on the 5R55E has slippage programmed into it since it uses PWM to cycle it. The older TCC solenoids in the A4LD were plain on/off solenoids. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

11-09-2009, 09:52 PM	#7
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,677 Vehicle Specs	The TCC & EPC solenoids are considered high wear parts because they are constantly cycling with various stages of PWM. The older TCC solenoids had a rest period when they were unlocked, unlike the new ones which are always doing something. This also puts a lot of wear & tear on the valve body, and the gaskets. The bolts get loose, and the gaskets leak on these transmissions. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

11-09-2009, 08:26 PM	#3
35Remmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Binghamton NY, Hazleton PA, Northern NJ '88,'99 Ranger, '00 EX Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 602 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Brooklyn...sorry...it's my '99 4.0 5R55E. No, I didn't adjust the bands. Fluid level is perfect.

11-09-2009, 09:42 PM	#6
35Remmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Binghamton NY, Hazleton PA, Northern NJ '88,'99 Ranger, '00 EX Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 602 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Jack, the TCC solenoid allows the torque converter to lock/unlock, doesn't it? Brooklyn...what is PWM? I understand that slippage is allowed between shifts, but why would this occur while cruising, in OD, at a steady speed? It has never done this before, I am certain. I'm a fanatic at monitoring what's going on while I'm driving...it's habitual after 4 years of sweating my @ss off working in military engine rooms. <working on POS GM diesels> OIC...Pulse Width Modulation...I believe mine is far in excess of the allowed range! I would think that PWM would occur without noticeable incident to the driver! Although we are talking about 11 year old technology here. Nah, something is up, I am certain.

11-10-2009, 12:33 AM	#8
nitro71 Wannabe Elite Explorer Spokane WA Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,061 Vehicle Specs	I wish you the best on your transmission but 12K warranty and reputable don't really belong in the same sentence.

11-10-2009, 07:00 PM	#9
35Remmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Binghamton NY, Hazleton PA, Northern NJ '88,'99 Ranger, '00 EX Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 602 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Brooklyn...there's no way it should need replacing every 12,000 miles!!! Oh, by the way, my OD on/off button isn't working, either. If I press it, nothing happens; no light, etc. Nitro...NY state is the only area I have lived in where all of the transmission shops offer only a 12,000 mile warranty. I know...it's ridiculous. In PA and NJ 24,000 miles is the normal warranty. Around here the only thing they know how to work on is 25 year old vehicles. It's a joke.

11-12-2009, 05:58 PM	#10
35Remmy Wannabe Elite Explorer Binghamton NY, Hazleton PA, Northern NJ '88,'99 Ranger, '00 EX Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 602 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	OK, so trans shop looked at my truck today. They couldn't find anything wrong. The owner checked the TCC solenoid, it was fine. He "scoped" the TPS (not sure what this entails) and it was fine. He said he has a video for me to watch that shows the operation of the transmission and everything looks perfect. There aren't any codes stored so he basically told me that based upon his diagnosis there is nothing to be concerned about; he has nothing else to go by. The OD on/off button is just not working-I have to figure that one out. Whether it's the shift lever switch, a bad wire, I don't know. Well, I guess I just have to wait for a code to get stored. The trans never did this before and I find it hard to believe that this is normal. Oh, and he didn't charge me...