2004 Explorer Won't Engage ANY Gears

[crocko]

Hi All,
I have the following
2004 Ford Explorer XLT 4X4 floor shift automatic
I was slowing down to a corner going real slow and the car poped out of gear like it was in neutral. I pulled the car up and it would no longer engage into any gears. No change in motor reving when cyling through the gears, nothing.

I have since checked all fuses and visually checked underneith and in engine.
Have done a scan and 2 error codes come up, but not sure if they are relevant with this condition.
P1116 - SCT Sensor out of range
P1812 - 4x4 select switch circuit fault
The transmission has experienced some slipping, the usual for this model, but nothing that bad. The transmission was also rebuilt under warrenty about 30,000 ago and has been really smooth up until about 1 month ago when the slipping started.
I suspect that the solinoid was on the way out and had planned to replace, but not sure if this would now cause no gears engaging. The issue feels electrical to me, but I just can't be sure.

If anyone can offer any advice on anything I can check out before I send it to the shop. I am in Australia and Explorers are not common, so it will probably have to go to a dealer for massive $$$$. I know that this is probably where I will end up, but just wanted to see if anyone has any insights into this before they want to replace the transmission (knowing the dealers here)

Thanks for your time and look forward to any useful feedback.

 

[jrford]

you might be lucky, the P1812 - 4x4 select switch circuit fault
might mean your transfercase is stuck in neutral?

 

[crocko]

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah. It kinda feels something like that. Gotta start somewhere.
Does anyone know how I can test this theory, and or what would cause this? Could it be a vaccum hose off? Sensor? or switch? Or something more drastic?
Any info or if anyone else has experienced this same issue, would love some advice.

 

[irocdupi]

Im not positive on this one but I beleive if you remove the motor on the transfer case you should be able to turn it manually to engage it back into 2wd or 4 auto. If infact its stuck in neutural

 

[crocko]

Thanks for the idea. I will give it a try. At least it will prove if the transfer case is stuck in netural.

 

[crocko]

Well the shift motor and transfer case check out ok. Almost run out of ideas. I am still not convinced the transmission is shot as when it failed it wasn't under any load and didn't make any noises.
considering replacing the transmission solenoid now.
If the solenoid is gone/bad, would I be getting the above symptoms?
Transmission guy quoted 5K to fix. Ouch.
Any thoughts?

 

[xlt03]

Just a thought here, did you check the trans fluid level? Also was your original transmission rebuilt by Ford dealer or was a remanufactured from Ford put in? Here in the states if it was a Ford Remanufactured it comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. You may want to check this out.
Transfer case doesn't come in play until the transmission is moving first. You should feel the trans shift into a gear first.I would start with the basics first (also the cheapest). I too am not fond of parting with my money quickly.

 

[crocko]

Checked the fluid and all looks good.
Box was repaired under warranty, was not a reconditioned box. I think all they did was replace the solenoid.
I was going to drop the pan and have a look in there first. While i'm there I will replace filter as well.
Was also thinking it could be the neutral switch. Could that also be something that would cause this.
Solenoid was starting to fail before it the gears stopped working. usual issue, not going into reverse and slipping out of 3rd into N. Won't hurt to replace. Just got a price on one here in AUS. $900....gonna see if I can ship one from the USA I think.
Starting to get really annoyed with this.

 

[xlt03]

Neutral switch is to prevent the vehicle from starting while in gear. Can only start in Park or Neutral. If your vehicle starts only in Park and Neutral I would rule that out as a problem. I too am thinking about the solenoid pack as your problem. You may want to look at the transmission section as I recalled seeing something about test the solenoid pack with VOM. It had pictures of the contacts as to where to place the probes. If nothing else Google it and see what comes up. Sorry I couldn't remember where I've seen it previously.

 

[crocko]

Yeah. Not the neutral switch.
I will have a look for the bit on testing the solenoid.
Hey. Thanks a lot for your help so far. It is nice to bounce ideas and thoughts of someone else. Much apprieciated.

 

[xlt03]

Here's a link for solenoid.

 

[crocko]

Thanks. I found a OEM part on ebay that is a bit cheaper. Just gotta see if the guy will air freight it.

 

[crocko]

Actually, that rebuit one you put the link up for may be a better option, just in case it doesn't fix my issue, not too much money has been burnt.

 

[dillon95nixstonsanders]

If the transfer case is in neutral u would be able to push the truck and move it without even inserting the key in the ignition just make sure your ebrake is released and give it a push

Thanks for the reply.
Yeah. It kinda feels something like that. Gotta start somewhere.
Does anyone know how I can test this theory, and or what would cause this? Could it be a vaccum hose off? Sensor? or switch? Or something more drastic?
Any info or if anyone else has experienced this same issue, would love some advic