5R55E not shifting from 2-3

[Glacier991]

The fact you have 5th gear is important. It shifts my focus from the stuck "ON' stuck "OFF" possible diagnosis. The fact that you saw some improvement after cleaning was meaningful. We're on the right track thinking it is the valve body, in my opinion.

You may want to consider a valve body overhaul as long as you have it out...

 

[bersanot]

Glacier, I think a valve body overhaul may be out of my realm. I bought the X used and they had a shop replace the valve body seal. I would imagine that they would have effectively done an overhaul when they completed that. Of course I am just guessing. Since I have the ECP and New TCC I'm going to throw them in in the morning and see what happens. I'm just glad that I put in a drain plug so I'm not so messy this time. I will let you know.. Thanks for the help.

 

[bersanot]

Brain, when I applied the DC I never bothered to leave the pwr connected for more than a few seconds. When I have it opened up tomorrow I will see if anything happens if I leave them connected for a while. I just wish I could find something decisively bad...

 

[glfredrick]

I just got my 5R55E back from rebuild (warranty job - it failed for the same reason -- 3-4 shift). They told me that the lock-up clutch had fried - and plugged up the ports - in turn did some other heat-related damage. Ended up being a total rebuild. Just FYI from my own situation.


BTW, I have a brand new EPC solenoid if anyone needs one - half price of Ford... I installed it - and then pulled it when I decided to go the reman route instead of rebuilding my own. Zero miles - just wet... Also the sun gear - front sprag, etc. (Glacier, I know we talked about some of these parts - I'm just bad at getting back to people once I stop thinking about it.)

 

[coled43]

I had the same problem with my 99 about 6 months ago on every 2-3 shift. I replaced the EPC solenoid and on the initial test drive the problem was still there. When I did another test drive to try to diagnose it more the shift was corrected. I figured that it couldn't be the EPC since that should have worked right away, but that it must have been the new fluid that worked its way into the system and cleaned it out after a couple of drive cycles. After that I did a full flush of the system (and also installed a external filter) and the shifting was even smoother. No problems since 3500 miles later. When I dropped the pan there was some sludge and the fluid was very dark. How did your fluid look? It sounds like after today that you will have dropped the pan enough times to change out most of the fluid anyway. I hope to hear good news about your progress today.

 

[bersanot]

I went ahead and replaced the TCC and the EPC. It shifts great now. Thanks Glaicier & Brain for your wealth of knowledge.

 

[Brain]

Excellent!!! When you said it was intermittent, my first thoughts went to solenoids because of the "spray test" that I did that showed a failure, even though electrical tests didn't. I wonder if replacing soleniods should be considered a preventative maintenance item.

 

[Glacier991]

I'd have to say that his success may be one of the more instructive things I have encountered in a while.... something to learn here, for everyone.

 

[Brain]

bersanot- do you mind me asking how much you paid for the solenoids?

 

[bersanot]

Sure, the EPC was $131.43 and The TCC was $82.43 (Steelership prices). It sure beets the $2400 they wanted to rebuild it. Heck, they wanted $250 just to open it up and try to figure out what was wrong. I deffinatly came out way ahead. ;o)

Do any of you know is it common practice to replace all of the solenoids when a "shop" rebuilds the trans? I think that whom ever owned this x prior to me had problems with it and that's why it was traded in. The used car dealerships Tranny shop was unable to properly ID or correct this problem. If it isn't common to replace the solenoids during a rebuild the problem would persist.

I still have a funny feeling that the new TCC designed with a screen is an attempt that Ford is making to reduce or eliminate this problem due to a flawed original design. I can only assume though, since I replaced both.

Thanks again.

 

[Brain]

Here's a site that sells them online and it looks like your dealership didn't charge you the stealership prices.

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MDITP&Category_Code=4R44Esw

Just fyi, these solenoids are quite a bit more pricey than aftermaket ones available for the A4LD for a couple of reasons:

First - they are more complex in that they have a way of sensing their position, called an inductive signature.

Second - I don't think the patent on them has run out, so aftermarket companies are either barred from producing them or have to pay for a licence and/or royalties.

Anyways, some rebuilders will test the valves (electrically - I've never hears of anybody else doing a "spray test" on them) and replace the ones that are bad, others will replace them no matter what - there isn't a "standard" practice for rebuilders. I think a shop would electrically test them and not replace them unless they could find one that was definitely faulty. The more common practice is to replace the whole valve body.

Either way, you didn't get ripped off on the price of the solenoids, and for less than 1/10th of the price you got it working right again. Congrats!

 

[Snakebyte94]

Wow you guys are great with the info. I'm having a problem with the 5r55e not shifting down out of OD fast enough.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

So what's the concensus here? Was the trouble in the EPC or the TCC solenoid? I have the same problem with the "sliding" 2-3 shift; very intermittent.

I have a new EPC sitting on the garage shelf, just waiting for time to install. Should I also order a new TCC to be on the safe side?

This is the most informative thread I've seen yet on this particular problem; thanks for all the help!

 

[Glacier991]

I'd say EPC, as it is the one involved in making this shift. I don't know as if I'd part with $80 to fix something working (as the TCC solenoid was) on something so easy to get to. My 2 cents anyway.

 

[Brain]

I would think EPC solenoid as well. TCC solenoid is for engaging disengaging the torque converter clutch which only happens in the highest gears while cruising to get better fuel economy and keep the torque converter cooler. Some people would be of the mind that once you are in there, replace everthing you can get to easily, others would say replace only what is currently broken....I guess it depends on how valuable your time is.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Thanks Mr Glacier & Mr Brain. EPC it is. The torque converter locks up just fine, but I was getting confused because Mr Bersanot replaced both solenoids to fix his sliding shift.

My thanks to you both for the very informative transmission threads and pics you've posted on this site.

I'll post back the results after replacing the EPC.

 

[jac-con]

I too have lots o trouble with the ex. How do I know which tranny i have . I have a 98 2wd v6 sohc . My car dies when I stop and it feels just before it dies it is trying to shift into a gear . It will restart but it begins to buck when I put it in gear and it dies again. I noticed when it is cold it will run ok but after it is warmed up and driven for about 10 blocks it begins to shift and then it dies.

 

[Eneurb]

Drop the pan and look around the edges of the valve body for bits of the gasket sticking out... there is a repair kit to update the EPC blow off in the valve body that causes the gasket to rip.

 

[TPLYNCH]

jac - you have the 5R55E.

 

[Gcrop]

EXCELLENT thread!! Just bought a 2wd '99 XLS 4.0L. When I test drove it originally (befor the purchase) I felt nothing out of the ordinary but when I drove it home 30+ miles of stop and go traffic, I did notice it occassionaly. It feels like I am expecting it to shift to third but the RPM's rise another 3-400 extra and during that 3-400 there is no acceleration. Kind of like the clutch is pushed in on a manual tranny but the accelerator is still being pushed.

I am a decent mechanic with enough tools, so I have a few questions:1) Do I have a 5R55E?

2) Does my problem sound like the EPC solenoid issue?

3) Do I need to buy a paper gasket or do I use a "gasket in a tube"?

4) What fluid (synthetic maybe?) should I put back in there?

5) And any other advice for a transmission noobie.

EDIT: I also bought some SeaFoam: Tranny Tune to see if it will help a little till I get to it this weekend. Any comments on that stuff?

Thanks,
Geoff