1997 explorer EB sohc 4.0 tranny issue

[JAW]

First i want to say hello,

I have a 97 EB explorer with 166k on it that I have been having a tranny issue with. I have been reading all the posts and used the search function and gone threw all the diary's, and haven't been able to find my answer, so I will try to explain what is going on.

a few weeks ago my O/D light started flashing, and from stopped, to about 10mph i was getting a grinding and banging from what I thought was from a front u-joint. In the past i have had some slipping from 2nd/3rd, but I just eased of the gas and it was fine. So this is were my issue is different from most others with slip and hard shifting. Today i got in my truck and was driving for about 10mins, then i noticed the rpm's started jumping up to the point i almost had it floored and the truck just stopped moving ( i was rolling in drive).

i managed to roll it to the local auto part store where i checked my fluid. my check engine light came on, so i asked the guy to check the codes. it came back with p0741 (tcc). At this point i was stranded with my 5yr old son. I grabbed a cab home, and a few hours later when my wife got home, we went to get my truck. I started it up, it went into gear, and i started driving home when i got about half way home (less then 3 miles), and as if it was a stick with the clutch in, the engine was rev'ing to like 4-5k rpm, but it wasn't going anywere. It seems that it drives fine when its cold and no slippage. but once it warms up, it doesnt catch and completely slips in all gears R/D/2/1 to the point it cant be driven.

Any input or advise would be very helpful

 

[JK080]

Sounds like the converter was slipping and shuddering (front u-joint) for a while until the lockup clutch started to come apart, these pieces have found there way to the filter and has clogged it, when this happens it quits pulling. Shut it off and let it sit and the fluid flows out of the filter and unclogs, so when you try it again it will take gear and drive until the filter becomes clogged again.

The 741 code tells us the computer has noticed the converter slipping and not locked when it should be.

 

[JAW]

tnx for the reply. Is it possible to much fluid can cause this? and pull the p0741 code? i checked the fluid lvl, and it looks to high now. I did check it b4, but it looked fine ( was getting dark outside).

Do you think a filter/fluid change might help? and should i replace the EPC and TCC ?

tnx.

 

[JK080]

No overfilled transmissions wont cause any problems but a possible leak from the vent.

Changing the filter will make it drive longer but it wont stop the real problem which is the failed converter, I would not replace the EPC or the TCC, it would be just a waste of money. You will end up having this thing rebuilt in the long run.

 

[JAW]

No overfilled transmissions wont cause any problems but a possible leak from the vent.

Changing the filter will make it drive longer but it wont stop the real problem which is the failed converter, I would not replace the EPC or the TCC, it would be just a waste of money. You will end up having this thing rebuilt in the long run.

So you dont think the fluid could be foaming, and causing it to slip once the tranny heats up then? I took a look at it in the day light, and it looks like it has atleast 1-2 quarts to much fluid. its way above the |xxxxxx| marks, even above the very top hole on dipstick.

 

[PopRichie77]

Are you checking the fluid with the engine running and in park? Just asking if you are doing it right as many check it without having the engine running and it will show over full.

 

[JAW]

Are you checking the fluid with the engine running and in park? Just asking if you are doing it right as many check it without having the engine running and it will show over full.

Yes, its in park with the engine running.

 

[JAW]

Update:

Ok, so ive had some time to work on my truck. I did a full tranny flush, tested the solenoids (ohm resistance test, all within specs) changed out filter ( dont think ive ever had filter changed since 97 (my bad). i did notice a fair amount of silver-ish metal in the pan, but that could be from last 15yrs worth.

Installed new filter and gasket, buttoned up, filled with new Merc V, and ran threw gears. still getting a little grinding noise for a few secs, then goes away. still get noise at slow speeds to stop. now im getting a clunk into drive with some delay( didnt have this issue before it went out), maybe 1-2 secs. took for drive, didnt notice any slipping. I didnt touch the VB.

I can rebuilt almost anything mechanical, but have no experience with trannies. I already ripped out the transfer case and rebuilt it. So my question is, is there a way to test the torque converter to see if its bad, without yanking the tranny?

Also, how hard would it be for me to get a master rebuild kit, and rebuilt it myself without any special tools?

 

[drdoom]

At the very least you will need a torque converter and an overhaul. And just an FYI, resistance testing testing the two PWM solenoids doesn't really mean much. As far as I know, testing PWM solenoids reuires a very expensive and sophisticated piece of equipment.