$470 @ auction ... "no gears"

[jim2]

Hi all.. I just picked up a 99 Explorer at an auction..

177 k, 4.0 sohc, 4WD, XLT. Clear title.

It ain't cherry, but it might clean up pretty good. ... there's a couple small dents, and worn out clear coat on the hood and roof, but no rust.

On the windshield, it says "no gears"...

So I've been searching for info about the 5R55E trans, and I hope it's just that gasket issue that everyone talks about... sounds like an easy fix.

I'll pick it up on Monday, more details to come, when I know more.... I'm hoping that it'll at least get a gear if I shift it manually... otherwise I'll just drag it with my F-150...

I'm hoping to get some advice about if it's more than just that "gasket blowout" issue... What are the symptoms, etc.. ?? What to watch/listen for ..??

 

[jim2]

... I got a chance to check it out today. The battery was dead, so we dragged er back with a tow strap, and she rolled smooth.

With a jump start, the engine purred nicely... but the transmission won't get out of neutral.

I tried all the gears, as well as all the 4WD options, .... nobody home.
The ATF is nice and red, but the shifter (on the tree) feels a little mushy.

I'm wondering if there's an electronic connection @ the linkage that might cause this..?? Anyone ever heard of these symptoms before? Or any suggestions for something else I should look at?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[Earl43P]

There is a DTRS mounted on the transmission shift linkage shaft. It reports more than the old Neutral Safety Switches did, but I doubt it can cause what you describe. Have someone shift it with the engine off while you watch the linkage move. Might be a loose clamp under the dash.

DTRS = digital trans range sensor

 

[jim2]

There is a DTRS mounted on the transmission shift linkage shaft. It reports more than the old Neutral Safety Switches did, but I doubt it can cause what you describe. Have someone shift it with the engine off while you watch the linkage move. Might be a loose clamp under the dash.

DTRS = digital trans range sensor

Thanks for the response Earl, and for the knowledge too... I appreciate it!
I figured there was something like that up there, but I'm a carpenter by trade, so I was just guessing.

The truck is 30 miles away, so I didn't get back to look at it again until today.
It turns out that I got real lucky with this... just needed a gallon of ATF..

When I originally looked at the fluid, it was a cold engine. I know that's not the right way to check it, but I didn't expect the difference to be that huge.
Today, after I took the time to warm it up, the fluid barely registered on the dipstick.

After 3 quarts, she started to show signs of working... and then I found the leak too.
The metal tube that goes from the radiator to the cooler was leaking real fast... there were two pinholes.. My friend has a flaring tool and bender, so I made a new line for it today.

I did a little test run, and it seems to be maybe ok.. but I didn't take er out on the street yet. I'm planning a better test run this Sunday, should be fun...

This baby has some spunk! According to the stickers, it has 4.10's... Pulls nicely off the line, but I only got er up to about 30 so far, I'll know more after this Sunday.

Thanks again Earl, cheers,

Jim

 

[Earl43P]

Gotta love a darn near FREE fix.

Ok, so $20 or so, but still pretty cheap!


4.10s are what's in my 2000 Ranger 4wd.
Would never want anything else!

Great deal on your Ex. Enjoy! I had a 99 for a while, good runner.

 

[jim2]

Yeah Earl, I got lucky on this one for sure..

When I first looked at it, I figured, worst case scenario, I could get a bunch of parts off it and then scrap the rest. I have a Ranger with a 2.9, so a swap to 4.0 is on my list. Also, They both have the exact same wheels. I figured if I could sell a few pieces, I could get all those parts for 100 or less.

It's hard to believe that this baby wound up at the auction over such a simple fix.. aside from that, there's a couple little dents, some faded clearcoat, and one of the back doors won't open.. but that's all minor. Everything else works.

 

[swshawaii]

Hack job of a previous tranny line "repair", no wonder it leaked. BTW, if your front
sway bar is connected, the sway bar end link bushings are missing. Nice score!

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_25471_K7275_En.pdf

 

[jim2]

Hack job of a previous tranny line "repair", no wonder it leaked. BTW, if your front
sway bar is connected, the sway bar end link bushings are missing. Nice score!

http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/_pdf_En/MOOG_PS_Bulletin_25471_K7275_En.pdf

Right on, thanks for the link..
I forgot to mention about the sway bar bushings.. but that's minor. I was planning to just get a new set at Napa, but I'll take a closer look at the Moogs later on.

Not sure what you meant about a "hack job" on the line repair. I looks like the leaky line was original. The new line was my first try using the bender and flaring tool, but it looks like it will work..? I'm gonna start test driving it this week, so we'll see.

 

[jim2]

hmmm...

30 mile test drive yesterday on the highway.. she ran good, but seemed to maybe slip a little after a while... got home, put er in park, and she won't go back into drive anymore. I tried the low gears too, nothing there.. no leaks either.

Reverse still works fine though. Engages quickly. Any suggestions?

 

[jim2]

There is a DTRS mounted on the transmission shift linkage shaft. It reports more than the old Neutral Safety Switches did, but I doubt it can cause what you describe. Have someone shift it with the engine off while you watch the linkage move. Might be a loose clamp under the dash.

DTRS = digital trans range sensor

I looked at the DTRS today. That's the box where the linkage enters the transmission, correct? ... I didn't remove it, but it seems to be tight.

I tightened up the column shifter today, and adjusted the indicator cable too. The column seems to be normal now, but still no "Drive"..

Reverse works perfectly, there's no delay, and it engages strong. (but I didn't drive it anywhere like that)

I ran through all the gear positions, and all the transfer case options too.
I wiggled the shifter, tapped the gas, etc. She still won't even try to get into drive.
It's like I have "park", "reverse", and 4 "neutrals"..

The ATF level and condition looks good. It's at the top of the cross-hatched area, looks clean, and smells normal.

I've been googling this, and I haven't seen anything that describes these symptoms.
From what I've seen, if was just that separator-plate/gasket issue, I should still be able to at least get first gear.. right?

I'm still hoping to find an electrical issue. I have a multimeter, but I don't know what to check next.
Does anyone know of a good troubleshooting guide? What tests I could do, etc?
Or does it sound like this trans is shot... ?

Thanks in advance, any tips are greatly appreciated..

Jim

 

[cklinejr]

Any luck on this Jim? Mine is doing the EXACT same thing, park, reverse and 4 neutrals.

 

[jim2]

Any luck on this Jim? Mine is doing the EXACT same thing, park, reverse and 4 neutrals.

No luck yet.. it's lookin grim..

I got some advice from two different places that says the forward clutches are probably shot, but I didn't drop the pan to check for shavings yet..

I'll post up if I have any good news, but I didn't find anything with the wires yet..