4.0L Ranger trans issues

[ieatcamaros]

The truck I have is a 2000 Ranger 4.0 auto 2wd. I think I have the 4R55E trans. The "TR" code on the door jamb is D. Is that the right transmission?

The problem is very intermittent. When cruising between 45mph and 50mph, the truck jerks hard for a split second. Almost like getting hit from behind by another car. I noticed that when accelerating, the truck shifts about that speed. That is depending upon how hard it is accelerating, of course. It has done this a total of about 5 times in the last three weeks. I drive about 200-250 miles per week. This truck does have 163K on it and I have only owned it since November.
So just yesterday I was driving home and I turned off one street which I was driving about 40 before slowing down to turn left onto another street which the speed limit is 35. Anyway, I don't know what gear the trans was in, but when I went to accelerate(not hard) the trans stayed in whatever gear it was in. It was at least third but I think it was in OD because it was lame acceleration compared to normal. When it did this, I pushed harder on the accelerator and then it downshifted like it is supposed to. So this has got me thinking that these two issues are related and whatever controls shifting on this transmission is at fault. Can someone tell me what controls the shifting on this trans? Or if you think it is something else, I am open to suggestion.

The fluid in the transmission is red with slight brownish discoloration. The fluid level is not low. Also, how can I tell if I have a lockup torque converter?

 

[Glacier991]

All A4LD's and later 5r55's have a lockup torque convertor.

I'd change the fluid to start. Before you do put a can of Trans-X in it and run it about a week, then flush the old fluid and add new. To the new add a bottle of Lubegard (and ONLY Lubegard).

Let me know if that improves anything. If not we can go from there.

 

[ieatcamaros]

Hello, Glacier. From reading several threads and tech articles, you seem to be the man on these transmissions. I can tell you know exactly what you are talking about. I will take your advice and try the trans x along with the fluid and filter change about a week later. One question though, when I add the (KW?) trans-x, that is going to overfill the transmission. Since there is no drain plug, it's kinda hard to remove just a little fluid. I take it that this will be ok since it'll only be for a week or so? From what I have read in the tech articles in this very transmission forum, I don't think I am experiencing the 2-3 shift flare. That sounds more like a slip to me, and my trans is jerking. I don't feel a slip when accelerating or decelerating and I don't have a tachometer. I usually drive with my radio cranked too. And I don't mean some loud boom box either. I don't listen to that crap. Maybe I need the EPC and a valvebody job? Possibly the transgo shift kit with the tsb fixes? With as many miles as I have on my ranger, that's probably a good preventative maintenance job anyway. Don't you think? I have also found that I have the 5R55E instead of 4R55E. The D trans code translates to 5R55E. And I know that my truck changes gears 4 times. The last shift is so soft and the RPM's don't drop that much, so I thought it was torque converter lockup. This is my first automatic transmission since I was 17 (save for the C6 in my 83 F-150) and that was an A4LD in an 87 4x4 ranger. I don't know too much about the slush boxes, but I am ready to learn.

Great Site!

 

[Glacier991]

163K on a 5R55E is good. I suggested what I did because your problems sound like maybe some hardened seals and possibly sticky VB spools. The Trans - X will soften the seals, and the fluid change will definitely help. The addition of Lubegard will assist in lubricating the spools... will it "fix" what you are experiencing? I dunno. Maybe... but it is needed anyway.

And if not, you are already ahead of me. My next suggestion is a VB rebuild or replacement.

On high mileage 5R55E's, I am starting to tend towards replacement because of the bore wear in certain bores due to modulated selenoids. In fact whenever I see a code P0741 on a high mileage 5R55E I am of the mind replace is the only sure cure.... unless you know a shop who does the Sonnax bore/fix... I bought the tools to do it ( quite pricey) and I bet I own set number 5. Most shops will not bother.

I digress. Try what I suggested and let me know. and an overfill for a short time won't hurt anything.

ps. the 5R series has, like it's predecessor the A4LD, a locking TC. ALL TC's these days are locking.

 

[Glacier991]

ps... the fluid needs to be flushed, not changed. And I will await the inevitable flood of folks questioning my advice on a high mileage flush. In your case, I am recommending it... not in ALL cases.

 

[ieatcamaros]

I didn't get a chance to get some KW Trans x yet. But I did get out my OBD II scanner for the heck of it. I have the actron scanner which shows the freeze data and the I/M monitors. The mil light is not on and hasn't come on since this past winter. Anyway, to my surprise, a code showed up. The code is P1309. One website I just looked at says P1309 is Misfire Detection Monitor not enabled. I did not erase the code yet since I wanted to research what it really is first. This probably has nothing to do with my tranny problem, but at least I now know there are no other codes showing up.

I drove my truck today and it did that jerking one time. The same speed as always. I was paying more attention this time. I was coasting about 42-46 mph when it jerked. So I reckon it was a downshift issue. It has done it before under cruising speeds too. Hopefully, I will get that Trans x tomorrow. One other question though. Would you recommend one of those quick lube oil change places to do a transmission flush? There aren't many reputable transmission shops around here. In fact, I think there are only three shops total. I am not too crazy about doing the whole start/stop/pour deal I was reading about on here. Seems like a lot of cranking on the engine.

 

[Glacier991]

Some of the quickie oil change places can do it for you. I have no problem with that. DO find some lubegard though. Once you change fluid I want to be sure you do add that, and if it means giving it to the place that changes fluid and making sure they get it in there, fine. It just needs to be in there in your case.

And lots of things can show up as trans problems..... even a misfire. But with your mileage, what I am suggesting is a good idea... even if in the end your problem is traceable elsewhere.

ps. And for you and others who may be questioning if old Glacier has lost it....an anecdotal story. My A4LD seemed to be giving up the ghost about 40,000 miles ago at 190,000 miles. I did exactly what I am suggesting for you, and also flushed the fluid both then and 15,000 miles later and I am now at almost 230,000 miles. It CAN work. In high mileage trannies it is worth a shot, because your only good option is to rebuild.

 

[ieatcamaros]

Actually, what I had in mind was to take the truck to one of the lube places and just have them flush it. Nobody (except knowledgeable friends) turns wrenches on my vehicles but me-ever. But in this case, I reckon I am going to be better off to just let someone else do the flush, especially if all they are going to do is take one or two lines off. I plan to do this about a week after I put the trans x in. Then, after the flush is done, I will buy a new filter and fluid and change. I planned to add lubeguard at that point. After doing all this work, and the problem doesn't go away, then I plan on buying a valvebody and changing them out. The rebuild is a good idea, but I had rather buy one, swap out, rebuild the other when I am not rushed to finish it. Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

I don't doubt you Glacier. I know this is a good thing to do. I am also 90% sure this is transmission issue. I actually think that code was a coincidence. I scanned it this morning and it didn't even show up. I reckon that is why the mil light never came on.

BTW, I appreciate all your help on this.

 

[ieatcamaros]

This morning, I changed the engine oil. I normally crawl under the passenger side when I do this. But today I was just looking around the transmission just to see if I saw anything obvious. I did see this sticker on the side of the tranny pan. See pic. I reckon this transmission has already had the TSB update. I also have added the KW Trans X. I plan to get it flushed on Friday. No change since I added it, yet.

 

[rickvo]

How did you make out??

I know this is an old thread but I have the exact same issue with a 1998 Ranger 4.0 5R55E 4X4 116000 Miles. "When cruising between 45mph and 50mph, the truck jerks hard for a split second. Almost like getting hit from behind by another car" It may go for a week or 2 or even 3 and never do it once and then wammo it does it --- Sometimes it is pretty severe but the thing shifts perfect under a little more load.

Should I try the lubeguard??

 

[ieatcamaros]

I did everything as mentioned in this very thread and my problem went away. That's been about a year and a half now. If you're experiencing the same as I was, I recommend doing the aforementioned trans-x, change filter, and then have a flush done.

I got on here today just to read this thread again, because now I am having another issue. I'm going to do a filter change and add some more lubeguard. My transmission is now shifting pretty hard between 2-3 and 3-4 and I am also getting a "shudder" as it goes into overdrive. The shudder I mentioned is almost like running over those rumble strips they put on the streets leading up to a stop light. The shudder also lasts about as long as it would when running over some of those strips too. Maybe half a second or less. My fluid looks good and the level is good. No codes on computer either.