1997 Explorer Sport Control Trac 4X4 NO REVERSE

cjc1989 · 01-17-2012, 11:40 PM

I've recently lost reverse, and a trusted mechanic friend of mine suggested it could be a solenoid. I changed the filter & fluid; also, there were no signs of anything loose or coming apart. I was just wondering if purchasing a new valve body, with all new solenoids could help my problem. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

drdoom · 01-18-2012, 07:07 AM

It might be a problem with the reverse servo, or the low/reverse band. Do you have engine braking in manual 1st gear? Also, how many miles do you have on your transmission? Do some searching here, and in the transmission sub-forum, for 5R55E no reverse. Lots of reading to do.

I would imagine a valve body rebuild would not be a bad thing for a transmission of that age (the valve bores are prone to wear, as is the EPC solenoid) , but to say that would cure the problem, I doubt it. That is a fairly complicated transmission, with MANY possible causes, so I would not just put parts on without a more thorough diagnosis. Do some more research.

cjc1989 · 01-18-2012, 09:03 AM

The transmission has around 230xxx miles on it. I have engine breaking in manual first, and also the o/d light flashes sometimes causing a rough shift into second and third.

drdoom · 01-20-2012, 07:36 PM

Get the transmission codes read. Do you have Torque Converter Clutch lock-up at highway speeds?

cjc1989 · 01-21-2012, 12:48 AM

It does fine at highway speeds. When the overdrive lights not blinking its shifts like a brand new trans but when it does blink it shifts hard into second and third.

01-17-2012, 11:40 PM	#1
cjc1989 Wannabe Elite Explorer Virginia 1997 Ford Explorer sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	1997 Explorer Sport Control Trac 4X4 NO REVERSE I've recently lost reverse, and a trusted mechanic friend of mine suggested it could be a solenoid. I changed the filter & fluid; also, there were no signs of anything loose or coming apart. I was just wondering if purchasing a new valve body, with all new solenoids could help my problem. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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01-18-2012, 07:07 AM	#2
drdoom Wannabe Elite Explorer VA 1997 XLT 4.0 SOHC 4WD Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,505 Vehicle Specs	It might be a problem with the reverse servo, or the low/reverse band. Do you have engine braking in manual 1st gear? Also, how many miles do you have on your transmission? Do some searching here, and in the transmission sub-forum, for 5R55E no reverse. Lots of reading to do. I would imagine a valve body rebuild would not be a bad thing for a transmission of that age (the valve bores are prone to wear, as is the EPC solenoid) , but to say that would cure the problem, I doubt it. That is a fairly complicated transmission, with MANY possible causes, so I would not just put parts on without a more thorough diagnosis. Do some more research.

01-18-2012, 09:03 AM	#3
cjc1989 Wannabe Elite Explorer Virginia 1997 Ford Explorer sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	The transmission has around 230xxx miles on it. I have engine breaking in manual first, and also the o/d light flashes sometimes causing a rough shift into second and third.

01-20-2012, 07:36 PM	#4
drdoom Wannabe Elite Explorer VA 1997 XLT 4.0 SOHC 4WD Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,505 Vehicle Specs	Get the transmission codes read. Do you have Torque Converter Clutch lock-up at highway speeds?

01-21-2012, 12:48 AM	#5
cjc1989 Wannabe Elite Explorer Virginia 1997 Ford Explorer sport Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	It does fine at highway speeds. When the overdrive lights not blinking its shifts like a brand new trans but when it does blink it shifts hard into second and third.