'02 explorer slow to go into drive and reverse

[mach0670]

I have a 2002 Explorer Eddie Bauer with the 4.6 V8, and trailer tow package. The vehicle has 105,000 miles on it. I changed the trans fluid and filter ( all the fluid was changed ) in June of this year, and also had the PCM updated to the latest calibration. Amsoil ATF was used. The problem I am having is when the vehicle is cold, as in sitting overnight, the transmission is slow to go into drive and some times reverse. When I initially back out of the garage it goes into reverse fine. when I come to the first stop light about a 1/4 mile away and have to sit a minute or two, when I try to accelerate away the trans seems to slip real bad and then will eventually go, this also happens after idling in park for a few minutes (vehicle cold) And also the trans will hunt between 3rd and 4th for the first 2 to 3 miles, after it is warmed up it works fine. The problem is getting worse as the weather gets colder. The fluid level checks good, and I added a bottle of Lubegard for mercon 5, no help. any advise you guys can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks P.S. the problem started about 2 months after I changed the fluid. No flashing O/D light or check engine light.

 

[Glacier991]

It may be as simple as replacing the low/reverse solenoid O rings. It certainly sounds like a slow pressure build up problem. Your EPC may also be getting weak... Ideally it would be nice to have readings of line pressure and EPC pressures during this condition to be sure, but my initial guess is that you have some leakage around the O rings on that servo. It can be accessed by dropping the valve body. There are two aftermarket mods available to use in place of the O seals. One is a "double lip seal" in place of one of the O-rings, and the other is a viton "D" deal which makes a tighter fit. I'm somewhat partial to the D rings. I believe they can be obtained from www.transmissionpartsusa.com.

I can also be wrong as to this being the cause, but without more that would be my first guess. When you drop the VB you might well want to consider rebuilding it (see the 5R55E Rebuild Diary in the stickies above). If you buy the superior kit they include a double lip seal for the low/reverse servo within the kit.

 

[mach0670]

Glacier991, Thank you for responding to my question. Is this task difficult to perform? I am a aircraft mechanic by trade, but the last time I dropped a valve body was in 1982 when I put a shift kit in my Turbo 350. What is the EPC? Thanks

 

[98 sport]

Is the Amsoil fluid the right viscosity? Mercon 5 I believe?

 

[daveleeander]

I'm not sure what tranny you have, but if it is the 5R55W, then your solenoid block is going bad. Those are the same symptoms I had. Dissapeared when I replaced the block.
Glad to see you're using Amsoil. Good stuff.

Dave

 

[Glacier991]

Dave is right, I somehow was just assuming you had the 5R55E, not noticing the 2002 model year (like HOW could I miss THAT - big as life in the title.) EPC stands for electronic pressure control solenoid. In the 5R55E the solenoids were all separate. In the 5R55W (and also S and N) all solenoids are contained in a single solenoid "block". Easy to change, unfortunately FORD wants around $275 to $300 for it. Dave is your go to guy on this one, he's done one as you can see.

There are a nmber of posts on these blocks, including one regarding replacement, and Dave did a thread as well. Search for Solenoid Block 5R55W and you will find lots of info. Here is a link to whet your appetite.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164055

 

[Bill Kemp]

I had a similar problem when the O ring was bad on the trans filter where it attached to the trans. It just wasent picking up the fluid.
Something to look at anyway.

 

[Glacier991]

Bill's suggestion for something to check is an excellent one. Oddly enough, the transmission fluid temperature sender can be implicated in similar problems. Separator plate damage can also figure in though I think it is an extremely low probability. When you drop the pan, pull the filter from the valve body and check those O rings... maybe you will get lucky. Otherwise I think I'd be temped to replace the block...let me snoop around in my garage and see if I might find a loaner for you to try. Worked for someone else on the board before. (g)

 

[daveleeander]

I still think your a good man Glacier, no matter what those other guys say!

I just flushed mine again. Amsoil. Have 120,600 on it now. Last three flushes (around every 30k) with AMsoil.

Dave

 

[mach0670]

Thank you to all that responded to my question. I'll be dropping the pan this weekend to check the o-rings on the filter, I will let you guys know what I find.

 

[BrooklynBay]

A 0-300 PSI gauge would come in handy to troubleshoot this pressure problem without throwing parts at it. Check this thread on using a pressure gauge: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117998

 

[mach0670]

Well, it's Monday morning and I haven't dropped the pan yet to check the filter o-rings, I ended up working Saturday, and Sunday was a full schedule too. I was thinking if the o-rings were damaged wouldn't it be acting up all the time? just after 4 or 5 miles of driving the tranny appears to work normal. A pressure gauge is an excellent suggestion, but if it showed slow pressure build when cold I still wouldn't know whether it was a pump, low/reverse servo leak, or the EPC. I am assuming the pump is OK since it shifts good when warmed up. Glacier991, any luck finding that solenoid block? Or if I decide to just buy one and swap it out, where is a good low buck place to buy one?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Try WWW.TransmissionPartsUSA.Com.

 

[Glacier991]

I have a new solenoid block. I'd be happy to do the same thing with you I did with Daveleeander.... essentially a revocable sale.... try it, see if it solves your problem, if not return it - you pay round trip shipping is all. All I ask is that you flush your trans fluid before you do this so if it does not solve the problem I do not get a contaminated block back. [Edit - I went back and saw you just changed fluid, nothing more is required, no flush... just try the block if you want and see if it works for you.]

If you are interested PM me. If not that's ok. Any Q's you might also PM Daveleeander.

 

[mach0670]

Update, Solenoid block installed.

Well, I installed the solenoid block in my tranny last Saturday, no more slow reverse or drive issues, seems to shift alot better too. I was going to wait 'till we got some cold weather here in Minnesota before I posted the results, but that aint gonna happen for a while, besides I know the suspense was killing you.
I thank everyone that offered advise to my problem, if I hadn't come across this web site, I'd be a lot poorer now! Thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!

 

[tmeraw]

I need some expert opinions: I have a 2003 Explorer XLT 4wd 4.0l ohc and believe after reading for hours and hours on this forum that I need to replace the Solenoid Block. I believe that the trani is a 5r55w. I found a guy selling new solenoid blocks on e-bay for $100 which is a good deal if it is the proper one. Dealer told me part number was 4L2Z-7G391-AA but this one is listedc as 1L2Z-7G391-AE (see listing:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-0...013QQitemZ230202156786QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Is this the right part for my truck?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[BrooklynBay]

It should be the correct part according to the listing. I wonder how he could sell it for that price?

 

[tmeraw]

So I guess that I should jump on the Buy it Now price of $100 and not risk losing it to try to get it at $80? He responded to me that it is the correct one for the 03 but he also has the one for the 04 and up on another listing if anyone needs one.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What's different about the 04 version? Do these come with a gasket?