2004 Explorer 5R55S

[Krater]

After reading allllllottttt of different problems here and there I landed on this site. Looks like there's some very knowledgeable folks here.

Anyway I have a 2004 Ford Explorer with what I guess is a 5R55S. I am having intermittent symptoms that are getting worse; they are that on cold and warm start, Rev. is slow to engage and engages harshly when it does. From Rev. to 1st can be delayed and usually is a harsh engage when it does.

I've read about the servo bore problem, then shift solenoid and valve body components sticking or the seal being blown out.

So one symptoms seems to follow along with a couple of problems but the Rev. delay and to 1st delay seem not to follow any.

If I'm correct in reading the servos caused O/D and 3-4 issues. The solenoid problem didn't cause this symptom at all and the valve body cause more like a slippage symptom then this delay in engaging.

Any advice for a tranny newbie?

 

[Blackexplorer06]

If you're on a budget like most of us you're going to get your hands dirty. Drop the pan.

By doing this you can check many things.
1.The condition of the fluid.
2. check for metal in pan., metal shards? rebuild time.
3. remove solenoid block and check with test meter.

If all looks/checks good put it back together and re-fill to correct level. Harbor freight pump that fits on quart bottle will pump fluid (Mercon V) back in.
Next adjust bands.

 

[Krater]

ok, so it's been a long time since I posted but I now am in trouble and out of necessity I have to do something.

So I dropped the pan to change the fluid and filter. I didn't find and brass or shinny metal in the pan. There was quite a bit of debris on the magnet, but not what I would say, WOW look at all that for a tranny that has 108k on it. Probaly a normal amount of material on the magnet.

I removed the solenoid pack, there was no debris on the screen. I removed the solenoid bushings one at a time and cleaned them as I had seen in a YouTube video, I re-installed them before moving to the next one. I also OHM tested the pack, it seemed to be within tolerances. I thought I installed them correctly(with depth gauge) but now I'm second guessing myself.

Visually checked the intermediate band, from what I could see at the band adjusting post. It seemed ok.

I installed new filter and 5 quarts of Merc V.

The delayed and harsh rev. shift is still present and now I have NO O/D. I found this out the first trip out, and the first time into O/D.

It also feels like it's not shifting through the gears correctly, as in a soft or slippage into 2 and 3. Then around 30 mph it just completely looses all propulsion. Slow down to around 20 mph and it kicks back in, I assume this is because it has shifted down into 3rd.

After driving it a short, maybe 10min like this. Slipping O/D the O/D light came on and the check engine light. I pulled a code that said something about the Pressure Control Module - C. I erased the code as I assumed it was because I had driven under failure conditions.

I was told by I a (respected by others) transmission shop to check the Reverse Servo, if that was ok then replace the solenoid block. Then if that didn't fix it, the tranny should be pulled and dug into further.

I figure since it does have reverse, just delayed and harsh, then Servo is at least not broken. I will check it though once I drop the pan again.

So I've order a new solenoid block and a TransGo shift correction kit. I know (from You Tube) that I will not be able to completely install the shift kit without removing the tranny from the vehicle, I saving that for a last resort. Besides the flow control valve must also be working as I do have other gears working.

Any other Ideas?

 

[Simply67x]

I have an 04 XLT Sport- original owner. Excellent motor, horrible tranny. If I told you all the problems I had with it and how many times it was opened up and/or rebuilt- I'd breathe fire. :fire:

After reading this thread, let me try to help you save your sanity...

This solved ALL my problems 3 years ago: http://www.cascadetransmissionparts.com/5r55s5r55wsolenoidblock.aspx

I just turned 200K miles about 2 weeks ago, and rolling strong as ever!

I had the hard shifting, hesitations, failure to engage, the dealer put in additives, changed fluid, etc. Thankfully, all hard parts were fine. This should have been a class action a long time ago- Ford NEVER would admit the problems with this tranny- but if you look around, you'll see tens of thousands of complaints of the very same kind. I've owned (or own) 6 Fords in my life, Dad was a Ford guy and had more than I can recall. This 5R55S deal was the biggest pain by a mile.

 

[Krater]

Thanks for the reply,
So here's where I'm at.

1) I replaced the Solenoid Block with one I found on E-Bay. it said it was rebuilt and come with a year warranty so ???? maybe still a bad one.
2) I installed a TransGo shift correction kit in the valve body.
3) Checked the rev. servo for broken spring and shaft. All ok
4) Checked all the bands @ the adjusting bolt just to see that they were intact. From what I could see and feel I think there ok. Nothing looked burnt but can't see much either.

Now I still have the delayed/harsh rev. intermittently but most of the time after a period of rest

On hard acceleration shift through gears ok, maybe a twitch between 3 and 4

On normal soft acceleration I get the blinking O/D light and "Check Trans" message between 1st and 2nd.

Seems like I can reproduce these occurrence's every time if I wanted.

I'm leaning towards the replacement solenoid pack was bad but am always looking for other ideas that I can look for before trans. removal.

Any Ideas about these symptoms????

 

[Simply67x]

Krater- you are bringing back some terrible memories so vividly for me!

I strongly suspect the solenoid pack. Since putting the new one in- and I know it's hard to make the gamble given all the issues- I've had zero troubles.

I will add that my bil's '04 Eddie Bauer had the same problem as mine. He bought the exact solenoid block I did and had the same results as me- no more delayed/hard shifts in reverse, no more 1-2 nuisances. We also could both go through the gears at speed with no issue.

You may want to call Cascade and ask them what specifically was changed, but I was ecstatic after the job was done and I had that tranny back- with no other internal damage thankfully. All my internals were still great- servo included. At 170K I had a friend get into the tranny at his shop and just check it out- a little band adjustments and nothing else.

Peace of mind bro.

From all my reading, all rebuilts and other so-labeled OEM solenoid blocks would fail within a few thousand miles. As I said, mine had been through so much and they refuse to fault that part. From experience, I do.

Question becomes, is the new solenoid which is guaranteed to fix all 5R55S shift issues worth it to you? Can your budget absorb it?

Wish you the best in this...

 

[Krater]

Simply67x

Agree, but one's claim is only as good as the performance of the claim.

I did replace the solenoid block with one that was reman'ed w/ 1 yr warranty

So yea, I contacted the vendor and he has already shipped another to me. I can only hope this resolves the problem.

Unfortunately I had already ordered this one before I seen the post about the one you got form Cascade. Their price on some other stuff is awesome, like the TransGo shiftkit $14.91, I paid $55.00 off E-bay.

Thanks for the link.

Anyway I'll let you know how the second one goes.

oppps, I just read the complete pricing thing. Looks like on that TransGo shift kit Cascade price is $87.88. $32.88 higher than the one I got. The $14 was the savings, hmm I don't see how but I guess marketing is what it is.