2002 sport trac problems, not sure how to proceed.

[Joey P]

My new vehicle has a couple issues. 2002 Sport Trac, 97,000 miles, 4x4 automatic 4 speed transmission, 5r55e I believe. I absolutely have no idea what service has been done to it. I have done some searching, and I guess I need some clarification on how to proceed or basically, I'm not sure what I need to do.....

1st- I hear what I think is timing chain noise. I first thought that it might be serpentine belt tensioner or idler pulley noise but I've never know those to be rpm specific, anyhow, Cold Start up you hear it and then goes away rather quickly. At exactly, EXACTLY 2500 rpm, no more, no less it seems, you can always hear it. As soon as vehicle shifts and rpms drop to below or rpms rise above the magic 2500 rpm mark, you don't hear the noise. I thought that in 2002 everything was updated including the chain tensioners, plastic guides? How can I be sure that it's timing chain? And do I need to open the engine up to replace and quiet it down? Is there something I can try first before opening the engine up if that's what I might need to do? It's rather annoying.

2nd issue- at least 5 times now, when I'm coming to a stop and maybe been riding the brakes like in stop and go traffic, and as I'm coming to an actual stop, the truck has like a "thud" that you can feel and it's like someone is rear ending me and then the truck stops no problems. It's a real jerking feeling, like the rear end isn't breaking as fast as the front or vice versa and has to catch up? Also, I don't know if it's related but today when it did this, I got the dreaded O/D off light flashing. On the way home, no problems and the truck did the thud thing and this time no O/D off flashing. Stopped on the way home to Autozone and had codes read. No codes. Is this brakes or Transmission? Brake pads all look ok. Anyway, With no codes it's hard to tell.

Thanks. Sorry so long.

 

[Joey P]

 

[Joey P]

See 2nd issue above.

Today while going out to lunch I just notice the O/D light flashing as I come to a stop and then the truck as it's almost stopped lurches forward. This is more of the description than what I had previously posted above. The truck did this one more time and then I shut the truck down had lunch and went back to work. Went home, 20 mile trip, no problems. Went to autozone to read codes tonight, no codes.

Any ideas?

 

[Joey P]

Ok

Issue #1, I think it may actually be the serp belt tensioner or idler pulley and not timing chain. I originally did not think this. Is there anyway that I'm able to check these to be sure?

Issue #2, Today, O/D light starts flashing again. Truck seems normal except at low speed upshifts and downshifts, In stop and go traffic, and in between stop lights, highway drive was ok, it seems that there is rough shifting and erratic shifting between what I think is 2nd and 3rd gear. It only seems that it's doing this at low speeds. The rpm's don't jump around and the shifts points just seem a little sloppy is all. Trans does not feel like it's slipping.


Hope this helps. I need some.

 

[John_Rock]

Issue #2, Today, O/D light starts flashing again. Truck seems normal except at low speed upshifts and downshifts, In stop and go traffic, and in between stop lights, highway drive was ok, it seems that there is rough shifting and erratic shifting between what I think is 2nd and 3rd gear. It only seems that it's doing this at low speeds. The rpm's don't jump around and the shifts points just seem a little sloppy is all. Trans does not feel like it's slipping.

Many of our transmissions are prone to the famous 2-3 flare. But, the 2-3 flare doesn't cause the O/D light to flash. You definitely need to find out the cause of the O/D flashing light.

Here's a thread about the 2-3 flare...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174202

 

[Joey P]

Ok. How do I find the cause of the o/d light flashing? It seems to not have codes stored for this. Do I need to go to Ford to get the codes read for transmission?

Also, if the 2-3 flare does not cause the o/d light to flash, then I'm guessing that is not my problem. I read the thread you provided and my RPM's do not jump before shifting. When the o/d light starts flashing, the shift point seems to be a little rougher is all.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

I wish I could remember better, but I'm afraid a poor memory is one of my defining characteristics, anyway my friend had a 2000 Explorer Sport with the 5R55E that was acting up in a similar fashion. I recall him getting the O/D light, and also some wacky shifts, but I don't remember exactly what he did to cure it. I know he had a filter change as well as the solenoid replaced, but I don't recall if those were the only things done. Sorry, I know that doesn't help much, but at least you're not the only one who has experienced a problem like this.

Tom

 

[Joey P]

I wish I could remember better, but I'm afraid a poor memory is one of my defining characteristics, anyway my friend had a 2000 Explorer Sport with the 5R55E that was acting up in a similar fashion. I recall him getting the O/D light, and also some wacky shifts, but I don't remember exactly what he did to cure it. I know he had a filter change as well as the solenoid replaced, but I don't recall if those were the only things done. Sorry, I know that doesn't help much, but at least you're not the only one who has experienced a problem like this.

Tom

I've done a lot of searching and found tons of info about the 5R55E and transmission and problems and it makes my head spin!

I'm probably going to start with a fluid and filter change. I just want to find out what is causing the problem before I get in there to replace whatever the problem is too. That way, I only have to drain fluid once.

 

[Joey P]

Ok issue number 1. Definately Timing chain. Removed the serpentine belt last night and spun the idler pulleys and tensioner and they make no noise.

Question then. What should I replace to get rid of the 2500-3000 rpm noise and cold startup noise for timing chain? I don't want to do anything involving special tools and timing if I don't have to. I've also read the SOHC timing thread here http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163298&highlight=timing+chain+rattle from front to back cover and I'm just not sure what to do here.

Can I just change out the timing chain tensioners withough getting into timing?
How do I get to the tensinoners? Removing upper intake and front timing cover?
What part do I need?

I've read so many threads on here with part number, it's confusing!

 

[Joey P]

Bump.

 

[Joey P]

O/D light or CEL hasn't been back on since Thursday. Changed the plugs, wires, cleaned the IAC and the MAF and the truck is running good, except for the timing chain rattle, which I'm still searching for. I'm thinking that the O/D light was on because of the CEL. Once I got those codes cleared, It was good to go. Wé'll see in another week what happens.

I'm still looking to get this answered though......Question then. What should I replace to get rid of the 2500-3000 rpm noise and cold startup noise for timing chain? I don't want to do anything involving special tools and timing if I don't have to. I've also read the SOHC timing thread here http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...g+chain+rattle from front to back cover and I'm just not sure what to do here.

Can I just change out the timing chain tensioners withough getting into timing?
How do I get to the tensinoners? Removing upper intake and front timing cover?
What part do I need?

 

[DBray6]

For your rattle check the egr sensor on the front drivers side of the engine. It has two vacuum hoses going to it and there is a plug with a couple of wires. I had a rattle that I had a really hard time finding. I ended up starting it up, setting the parking brake, putting it in drive and having my wife bring the rpms up until I heard the noise. I then searched everywhere until I found it. There is something inside that sensor that rattles against the back of it like a little drum. I "fixed" it by zip tying a small piece of foam to the back side to dampen the sound. I haven't have the problem since.

 

[Joey P]

Thanks, I don't think it's the egr however. I will check it out. It is from the front of the engine and I'm sure it's the timing chain. I'm going to go about changing the timing chain tensioner on the front of the engine. I don't know how to get to it but I keep searching.