2001 Ford Explorer XLT - 2/3 Shift Flare - Need Answers Please

[NunyoBidnez]

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport with the craptastic 5R55E transmission. I have been reading every post on here ever since the 2/3 flare issue started.

As soon as the issue started I parked the truck and stopped driving it. I ordered a VB from a site that was listed here. I opted for the "upgrade" package which includes blow off valve, bonded gasket, all 6 solenoids re-manufactured, new springs and valves and a shift kit.

Received the VB, installed it, filled the transmission back up with fluid and.......drumroll......same exact issue. Nothing has changed. In some ways it almost feels worse.

I also noted that when I pulled the original VB out of the transmission that it had been pulled before. The gasket had been replaced but not with the bonded gasket.

My next step to resolve this issue involves a 5 gallon container of gas and a match. Can anyone please point me in a direction of resolution? I was hoping for some sort of change since I replaced the ENTIRE valvebody.

Going from 2 to 3 it revs up, it seems sluggish putting the transmission into any gear, you can gently get it up and running at highway speeds but the moment you press on the gas hard it slips, from a dead stop in Drive it will not go...you have to switch down to 1 or 2 gear to get it started.

Also, it does not give any error codes at all. I have read about the flashing OD light but I do not have that symptom.

 

[JCat]

My next step to resolve this issue involves a 5 gallon container of gas and a match.

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I am right behind you . . . I just ordered a VB but I ordered one that is brand new from Ford (at least that is what the Ebay vender claimed). I plan on installing it this weekend. $298 !!
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I can only guess that the VB you got is defective, or that if yours HAD BEEN WORKED ON BEFORE, that something was not put back together correctly . . . and you have no way to know what it is.
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Good luck and keep us posted.
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[PopRichie77]

From you description you have more issues than just a 2-3 flare. You should do a pressure test.

 

[NunyoBidnez]

From you description you have more issues than just a 2-3 flare. You should do a pressure test.

Ok. I searched and found the information about how to do a pressure test but I am not sure what that will tell me. This issue was around with the VB that was in the truck and I am experiencing the same issue with a new VB that I have just installed. Could this be a pump issue if the pressure is not correct?

Just spoke to a transmission shop and suggested it was an issue with the band. I am going to attempt the band readjust and say a little prayer.

Question : If a band needs to be replaced is there any information out there on how to DIY?

 

[PopRichie77]

If the pressure is low, yes it could be a pump issue. It requires a complete tear down to replace a band. Instructions are in the ATSG trans manual. A band could cause a 2-3 flare, a band would not cause a no drive condition in Drive 1, as no bands are applied.

 

[gts]

Going from 2 to 3 it revs up, it seems sluggish putting the transmission into any gear, you can gently get it up and running at highway speeds but the moment you press on the gas hard it slips, from a dead stop in Drive it will not go...you have to switch down to 1 or 2 gear to get it started.

This sounds very similar to what I'm currently going through. I started a thread about this and have come to the conclusion that my front one way clutch is bad. Manual 1st and 2nd works fine, I can get it up to speed then shift into D and 5th gear will pick it up and go fine. But it won't really do anything in D from a stop. Reverse also pretty much just slips.

 

[NunyoBidnez]

Update

Went to Harbor Freight and picked up the necessary torque wrench to do the band adjustment. Still is a no go.

At first crank up the transmission is slow to engage reverse.
Manually shifting it works fine and I can gently get it up to highway speeds.
Starting off in drive it will engage but still has the 2-3 flare issue.
While traveling in D with OD on or off, if you give it a lot of gas the transmission slips.

This is obviously turned out to be a clutch issue. I am now considering rolling the dice on a pick and pull and putting the new VB into it and see what happens.

Question : How hard is it to get to the transmission bolts with the engine and transmission still in the truck?

 

[drdoom]

Question : How hard is it to get to the transmission bolts with the engine and transmission still in the truck?

It was pretty hard for me, but I was working on the ground (no lift). I used some long extensions, and got a little extra room by lowering the engine a bit.

 

[PopRichie77]

Use wobble extensions, I found them to work better than U-joints.

 

[drdoom]

Use wobble extensions, I found them to work better than U-joints.

Yeah, I broke a U-Joint while removing the upper bolts...didn't find the socket til 3 months later, about 20 yards away. I will say the Snap-On ball jointed sockets do work very well.

 

[NunyoBidnez]

It was pretty hard for me, but I was working on the ground (no lift). I used some long extensions, and got a little extra room by lowering the engine a bit.

Did you remove the engine mounts completely? If so how much room did that get you to reach the transmission bolts?

 

[drdoom]

Did you remove the engine mounts completely? If so how much room did that get you to reach the transmission bolts?

No, nothing has to be done at the engine mounts, as they are flexible. During a transmission removal, you will have a jack supporting the engine already, so you just lower it a bit, to give a touch more room to get to the upper transmission to engine bolts.

 

[philj]

Everything I read does not help 2002 Explorer 5r55w Trans. Had it replaced when it was hard shifting from 2 to 3 and so on. So here is my problem. Tranny shifts great throughout all the gears. When I come to a complete stop it slips out of gear. Rev it up and it pops into gear and jumps forward. If I come to a slow rolling stop and keep rolling its fine. Adjustment issues?

 

[transman304]

low fluid would be the first check

 

[philj]

Reply.

When I had the Trans changed I bought 8 quarts of fluid. I read somewhere after that it takes like 12. When I told the guy this he told me it had enough. Whats your thought?