2002 Explorer - 5r55w Transmission

[BigR]

We have about 45K miles on the new Explorer 5R55w sealed case auto transmission. We have a V8 and 4wd. Recently the tranny has started "hunting" between 4th & 5th gear. Typically under load (climbing a hill while accelerating at about 40 mph) or (climbing a hill while on cruise at 70 MPH).

Any Ideas as to the problem? or Fix? I want to go to the dealer armed with some knowledge of what this mgiht be...

Any replies appreciated. Have already searched the forum but found little.

Thanks, as always.

Big-R

 

[Glacier991]

Others can chime in here, but as I recall in that transmission 5th gear is more or less "computer generated". If that is correct, logic might suggest that since the inner "real" components work in all other gears, that the trannie is not getting proper computer control for generating that gear. Don't take this to the bank, but I think it's accurate.

 

[X24]

If that's the case, maybe ford has an update and your PCM needs to be flashed.

 

[410Fortune]

Check the fluid level
Check the adjustment on the transmission kick down cable if equipped
Check the vacuum line feeding the transmission

But first check the fluid level

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

BigR, if it's a V8, you won't have a 5R55W behind it. Regardless, the transmission will still have an electronically controlled OD/5th. I would suspect the TPS, speed sensor, or the 5th gear solenoid. The dealer will put a scan-tool on it, and the code that pops up will narrow down the trouble area.....

Welcome to the forum/monkey cage!

 

[Majisto]

All 3rd Gens have the 5R55W, V-6 or V-8. Don't ask ME why they ditched the 4R70W, but they did for some idiotic reason. Now imagine what happens when the GT Mustangs have the 5R trannies behind them. Yes, the V-8 Mustang will have a 5R descendent, and no, I don't know how Ford can make the ol' French C3 tough enough to handle a 300 horsepower beast. They have a bad enough job getting our SOHCs to handle it.

Anyway, what is wrong with it "hunting" under load? You shouldn't be going up hills in 5th gear at all since you are lugging the motor. That is a big in car motors. You will blow out your main bearings after a while. Just push the OD off button before you go up a hill and then put it back on once you reach the top. It may be a V-8, but it takes quite a good deal of torque to move the heavy 3rd Gen up a hill, and the Modulars are designed to rev up to get their power.

Turning the OD off will keep it in 3rd gear (4th speed) which is where you should be when hill climbing. In fact, you will get better mileage since you are keeping the engine near its torque peak where it operates most efficiently.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Majisto, thanks for correcting me. I too am astounded that Ford would put the 5R behind a V-8.

 

[IAmTodd]

If that's the case, maybe ford has an update and your PCM needs to be flashed.

There is. It improves the shifting greatly! We had problems with rough shifts, delayed shifts, etc. Took it in, couple mins, it was running great. Yes it is the 5R55W tranny, no way to check fluid level, sealed up tight! Suposidly for 100k miles. Like that will ever happen though!!

 

[IAmTodd]

And I just wanna defend the 5R, 31k and its been awsome. That may not be alot, but we've driven it rather hard. With the exception of the shifting trouble as stated above, its held up quite well. Next year it will probably become my vehicle, so we'll see how well it holds up to my driving

 

[Glacier991]

I have been working to make the A4LD the best it can be ("My A4LD rebuild diary' on here) I keep looking at the weak areas, and then what FORD did in the 5R series. I have to say they addresed the major weak points,and everytime I want to do something it seems like I am trying to make the A4LD into a 5R - unfortunately the 5R is NOT backward compatible. The 5R seem like a good trannie to me, from afar. I want to rebuild one though.

 

[Majisto]

I have been working to make the A4LD the best it can be ("My A4LD rebuild diary' on here) I keep looking at the weak areas, and then what FORD did in the 5R series. I have to say they addresed the major weak points,and everytime I want to do something it seems like I am trying to make the A4LD into a 5R - unfortunately the 5R is NOT backward compatible. The 5R seem like a good trannie to me, from afar. I want to rebuild one though.

Yes that's true. I have 130K on my 5R, and I do not treat it very well, I admit. Guess you can polish a turd after all.

 

[BigR]

Thanks for the hope on the repair. We drop it off today at 3:00 at the dealer. How much should I expect for a repair charge for a PCM flash?

One suggestion was to turn the OD off which I did while cruising around town over the weekend. All seemed fine (cause I took 5th gear out of the equation) until I got a weird "attempted shift" around 50 mph. Strange.

Will let everyone know what the dealer says....

Thanks for the advice. And the welcome.

Big-R

 

[X24]

Maybe your problem isnt 5th gear. Maybe it't the torque convervter. What you felt around 50mph in 4th could have been the torque converter trying to hit lockup, but maybe something is wrong with it if it didnt do it.