1995 Transmission Problem

[Billy McIntyre]

I have a 1995 Eddie Bauer 4wheel drive explorer. I've been having trans problems for awhile now. The flashing o/d light has happened 3 or 4 different times now and stays on for about a week at a time. My main problems are extremely hard shifts from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. It's a clunking noise when it shifts, almost like a shift kit would do. Another problem I've noticed is when I'm going anywhere from 45-50 mph it sometimes feels like the brakes are being applied. It's like something is grabbing but the brake analogy explains it perfectly. I got on this board a few months back and was told it could possibly be an EPC Solenoid. I bought one from Advance Auto for around $100.00 dollars and had my mechanic try and install it but after pulling the pan the solenoid I had was not correct. He said there was no solenoid that had a plug end like this one did. In fact he said there were several small solenoids. I'm thinking this solenoid was for an A4LD and I'm thinking that I may have the 4R55E. Is this possible? Also, this vehicle is in the shop as we speak, they have had it for 2 days now and have given me no word. Any help in giving me some ideas on what this could be will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Gadget X]

If you got a vacuum modulator or a modulator valve, then it probably is meant for the A4LD. Those were only used until '94 as far as I know, but I'm sure that somebody might be able to help you on here, possibly Glacier991, if you want to PM him. By the way, interesting to see someone on here with my last name! Good luck, and you might just need to clean out the VB.

 

[Blee1099]

Are you sure Autozone gave your the right part? Cause they have been known to give the incorrect part. Personally I'd go to www.bulkpart.com and buy the EPC or buy a complete solenoid kit that contains the shift solenoids, TCC, EPC.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You have the 4R55E transmission. The flashing overdrive light is an indication of a stored fault code for the transmission. Don't drive the truck with this problem! The hard shifts are the result of the PCM going into FMEM (limp mode), and causing the EPC to raise the hydraulic pressure. This could cause further damage, so get the codes read before driving it further.

 

[bigjake95eb]

i had this problem, turned out to be trans range sensor. 200 bux later and good as new. what codes are you getting?

 

[Billy McIntyre]

At this point I don't know what codes I'm getting. The shop has had it for 2 days now and I haven't heard a thing. I'm starting to worry, it seems the longer they have it the worse the news. I told them I wanted it diagnosed and tell me what's wrong before they fix anything. It seems like their having a hard time diagnosing.

 

[Wrench]

So your telling me that this shop has had your truck for two days and they can't tell you the stored codes! That should have been one of the first things to check for as you have a flashing OD light. Get the code/s and let us know. You can waste a pile of money otherwise.

 

[Billy McIntyre]

Ok guys, I finally talked to the shop this afternoon and got the stored trouble code, the code was 647 which is improper 3rd gear ratio. The shop didn't know what to do to fix it and said they would have to tear it apart to see if they could figure it out. Needless to say, I wasn't optimistic at their repairing it so I'm taking it to a reputable transmission shop on monday. He said he would either fix the problem or worst case- rebuild it for $850.00. So that is the plan. Anybody got any ideas on the trouble code?

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165410. According to the last post, it was a simple range sensor adjustment.

 

[VDub2625]

Improper ratio would mean it's slipping (engine revs don't match the road speed for the normal 3rd gear ratio). I had the exact same problem (flashing O/D, slipping at 50mph, clunky shifts).

A few weeks later, something literary went SNAP and it wouldn't move

That is quite the cheap rebuild! Do you know the guy or something?

 

[BrooklynBay]

He is probably only doing a soft parts rebuild for that price. Once he opens it up, I'm sure that the price will easily double. I've seen this happen before.

 

[Billy McIntyre]

Actually this guy's repair shop is in a very small town of about 2000 people, he's 45 mins away from a large city and has to compete with much larger repair shops so he does work for alot cheaper. But his work is very good. I hope it's not a $1500.00 dollar rebuild because if it were, I would rather find a used one. I found one with 46000 miles on the odometer for $450.00. But I'm going to give this guy a chance to look at it first.

 

[Blee1099]

Actually this guy's repair shop is in a very small town of about 2000 people, he's 45 mins away from a large city and has to compete with much larger repair shops so he does work for alot cheaper. But his work is very good. I hope it's not a $1500.00 dollar rebuild because if it were, I would rather find a used one. I found one with 46000 miles on the odometer for $450.00. But I'm going to give this guy a chance to look at it first.

It may be $450 for a transmission but then you have to contend with labor for the installation and supplies like mercon fluid since the trannies are shipped dry.

 

[bigjake95eb]

same code i had and a new trans range sensor fixed my probs

 

[Billy McIntyre]

OK. where is the trans range sensor located on the this transmission. Can you drop the pan to access it? I'm wondering how much it costs and if I should attempt it and see if this might fix the problem?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's located on the driver's side of the transmission. It only has a couple of bolts holding it on. You don't have to drop the pan since it is an external part.

 

[Billy McIntyre]

One last question before I'm off to the auto parts store. Is this the TSS Trans Speed Sensor? I want to make sure I get the right part.

 

[BrooklynBay]

TRS. 98-up DTRS. Here is a step by step removal, and installation procedure for this part: http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/autotrans/TransRangSens.pdf. The PDF was originally written for a 95 Scorpio, but it's the same transmission in the diagram.

 

[Billy McIntyre]

Is the DTRS a dealer only part? I went to AutoZone today and the only thing they had was the Trans Speed Sensor. They didn't even list the DTRS. Also, what should I expect to pay for this sensor? Thanks for all the help provided.

 

[Billy McIntyre]

Brooklyn, that PDF file that you linked for me on the TRS install is showing an A4LDE, I assume I have the 4R55E. Is the install still similar to the one you have linked?