03' 5R55S trans. problems

[dave way]

:roll:
We recently bought an 03' explorer eddie bauer maybe 3-3 1/2 months ago. it looked great and has all the extras. it had ~79,000 mi. it was great for the first 2 1/2 or so months till the motor siezed up. so we got that replaced under our extended warranty. then the recalled latch broke on the rear window...got that fixed. now my wife called me from the side of the highway saying that it would'nt move, like it was in neutral in all gears. there are no lights coming on or codes flashing. no leaks anywhere. the linkage is allright. we just got it back a few weeks ago! I am not happy. I hoped they had done something about their tranni reputation. I started searching on line and found a lot of people that didn't think so. it's still under warranty but I just don't really trust anyone to work on my stuff. I would rather get the right book and do it myself. I looked in the haynes book for it and they don't want to say anything about the transmission, troubleshooting, adjusting, or rebuild. they just tell you basically that they don't trust you and to take it to a dealer! Why don't they just give me the information like they have in every other book I've bought and let me decide when it's over my head! so here I am trying to get any information I can on testing, troubleshooting and rebuilding this transmission so I can determine If it's cheaper to fix it myself or pay the deductible for someone else to put thier apprentice on it.
aside from checking the fluid, (which I still need to do) what should I check or what parts are known to be a common problem in these tranni's. any sensors, electronics, adjustments, valve bodies, (somewhat inexpensive things) that jump out at you that I could check or change before a complete rebuild? I need to go and buy the book for this trans. but right now Im just looking for advice. and trying to learn.
I had a 91' ranger that I unfortunately lost in an accident that had 256,000 mi. on it and 156,000 of those I put on. that truck was awsome! of course it was a stick shift. I did rebuild the trans myself twice in it but that was due to some places I went off roading that I probably shouldn't have gone. I was a little rough on it.
well anyways, thanks ahead of time for any tips. see ya later!

 

[awdrocks]

Sounds like your transfer case module went out. That happened to mine. And it disengaged my entire tranny... even park was like neutral.

First take off the neg battery terminal to reset the computer... see if that does anything. Also try and go from 4x4 low to Auto to force the transfer case to engage. Then disconnect the transfer case module so it doest happen again... its behind the glove box. The new module is about $200....

Sounds like thats your problem.

 

[awdrocks]

The tranny is sealed and there is no dip stick. The only way to check it is to throw it on some stands... start the motor... on the tranny pan there is a big hex nut... right in the middle is a smaller allen bolt.... that is your fluid level check valve.... you need to unscrew only the allen when the motor is on.... there should be a steady stream of oil coming out, thats when you know your fluid is at the right level. If its like spitting, you need oil. Do it when the tranny oil has warmed up a little... not to hot.

If you need to add fluid go like to Auto Zone and buy a pump... they are like $15. One side of the pump sucks and the other squirts. Put one side of the hose in the new ATF quart and stick the other side up the hole were you allen bolt goes. Carefully start pumping the oil up into the tranny while the car is on.

 

[Glacier991]

Lets not jump ahead of ourselves. TaKE A DEEP BREATH. Relax.

The 5R55E transmission was an early FORD foray into computer controlled transmissions....accompanied by a cleanup of residual problems in the A4LD.

The cleanup worked pretty much. The new all computer control had growing pains. FORD spend 7 years addressing those in the 5R55E.

In the meanwhile FORD burned the midnight oil and came up with the 5R55W, S and N series transmisions. By and large not bad transmissions. Born of the C-3/A4LD and the 4R44E, 4R55E, 5R55E series.

This site has tended to lag about 5-6 years behind the intro of new transmissions, because problems in new trannies take that long to show up. The increase in W/S/N issues follows that pattern. It is a new phenononem here, just starting to show up.

I am NOT expert in the W/S/N series ( as I plan to call them) But I do have one on my garage floor awaiting a critical disassembly and rebuild (Diary - and I am trying to get a current CVT as well... which fascinates me.... but I digress).

When you have NO engagement at all in an auto tranny, the first thing you suspect is fluid level. This thing runs on ATF as its blood... so, no fluid - no movement. Ah but.... we did away with the dipstick! (DUH).

That is why one member suggested checking fluid levels..... and told you how. Major PITA, I admit especially compared to "the old days".

The suggestion regarding the transfer case is a new one and an area I am unfamiliar with. I know that MANY tranny issues are really NOT tranny issues and TC issues. I'd focus on that first. It makes sense to me.

I wish I was more up to speed on the later issues but for now I am pretty smart up to about 2002. Working on the later stuff... your feed back will help.

 

[Glacier991]

Oh and.... there is little market for Chiltons or Haynes in DIY tranny rebuilds and they know it, and 99% of the home folks would not want to and maybe should not try anyway. AT's are not rocket science nor are they "shade tree mechanic" with "limited tools" kind of endeavors.

There are books on these trannies, but don't expect to find them to be sold where folks who barely comprehend how to change oil shop. Besides those palces do not even sell AT parts!

 

[awdrocks]

Oh wait. Do you have the AWD version or a part-time 4x4 like the 02's? I THINK 02' is the only year they made part-time 4x4. If you have part-time 4x4 try my suggestions. If you have the three buttons that let you change from Auto, High and Low.... its part time.

 

[CDW6212R]

Good guys, Alex and Chris, they know quite a bit. Welcome Dave, and I agree to first be sure that you have enough fluid. Take your time checking it, that will take a while to get used to.

FYI, for any transmission items you need to call the trans parts suppliers. The trans shops buy there things from those specialty shops. They will have the manuals for about $14 per trans, they sell the valve body kits and fluid additives, special solenoids etc. It can be very useful to read those manuals to learn more about your vehicles. Good luck,

 

[dave way]

well, I just went out and checked the fluid and it was full. there was no metal dust in it. and it was just a little darker than the new oil that I bought. (this model is the all wheel drive.)
when we went to bring it back from the side of the highway I tried everything I could think of that would make it work. I shifted the 4 wheel drive buttons thinking the same thing, that something might have just stuck disengaged. I looked underneath for leaks, checked all the linkages.
I'm going to have to go up to summit racing and get the book on this specific tranni. it's also starting to look like i'll have to take it to a shop this time. but i need to learn how this one works and what to suspect anyways for when this happens out of warranty and so I don't get ripped off now.
in my browsing the web I came across car complaints.com. there are a lot of people having the same problems that I'm having. they have some kind of survey going that says the average life of one of these model tranni's is 76,000 or 79,000, somewhere around there. I wouldn't get to sold on them yet.
I just found this site in my car trouble searches and so far you guys have given the most advise and knowledge out. thanks.

 

[awdrocks]

So do you have three buttons Auto 4X4, High 4X4 and Low 4X4? If you do, you do not have the AWD version... its part-time 4x4. At least I don't think the AWD version has any buttons. But if you have the three buttons I mentioned, your not AWD.

Remember that there is a protocol to activate between the different setting... don't just push the buttons. Look in your manual but if I recall correctly you need to throw it in neutral and apply the brake, then push the setting you want.

If you put it in park, can you push the X forward? If so I can pretty much guarantee its the transfer case module.

Remember to try and disconnect the battery to reset the computer.

Yeah those surveys you found, people just go on there and complain, but never come back to help... at least usually.

 

[dave way]

it deos go into park. I had to push it into the garage and had to shift it out of park.

 

[awdrocks]

it deos go into park. I had to push it into the garage and had to shift it out of park.

Do you have the three setting for Auto High and Low?

 

[awdrocks]

Hey Dave any updates?

 

[dave way]

well, we dropped it off at the dealer and they siad it has no pressure. they are going to check the pump.
and yes I do have- auto 4x4, 4x4 high, and 4x4 low buttons. it's not all- wheel drive it's automatic 4wheel drive.
I'm wondering if it has to do with the motor replacement since the torque converter had to come out of and then back into the pump????

 

[awdrocks]

well, we dropped it off at the dealer and they siad it has no pressure. they are going to check the pump.
and yes I do have- auto 4x4, 4x4 high, and 4x4 low buttons. it's not all- wheel drive it's automatic 4wheel drive.
I'm wondering if it has to do with the motor replacement since the torque converter had to come out of and then back into the pump????

So you had your motor replaced.... hmmm... I also replaced my motor but my torque converter stayed in place....

When my transfer case module went bad I had it towed to a tranny shop... they said REBUILD!!! I said no way... I towed my truck back home... and it’s then when I started fiddling more with the functions of the buttons that all of a sudden it engaged!!! Man that clicking sound was music.

I new it could have not been mechanical as I was driving like 5mph when all of a sudden my tranny disengaged....

I'm interested to know what they say the culprit will be on your tranny.

Do you have a warranty?

 

[dave way]

yes, we have an extended warranty. I haven't heard anything back yet.

 

[awdrocks]

yes, we have an extended warranty.

Great!!!

 

[awdrocks]

yes, we have an extended warranty. I haven't heard anything back yet.

Update?