5R55E - Only 1st gear?

[Helton01x]

Been studying on the forums for a while, but not posted at all yet since Explorers are new to me. (always owned f150s and s10s) Ive been researching for about 3 weeks now and still no solid find on what my problem may be.​

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 Auto 2wd 165,000 miles. Owned for about a year now and no problems until now. About a week before I had to park it the only thing the trans had done, was I had just stopped at a stop sign and got up to around 30-35 and it seemed as if it had slipped into neutral. Was able to get it moving as soon as I put in into 1st and went from there. Got up to speed and it went fine in drive. This was the only time the o/d off light flashed and as soon as I was down the highway it stopped.​

The day I parked it, it had done the same thing, actually at the same stop sign. No o/d off light flashing at all. Went into 1st and 2nd but wouldnt go into drive at all, would jus rev as if I was in neutral and slow to a stopped. So I drove all the way to work in 2nd gear. After work, drive wouldnt do a thing, rev high like before and not move. Put it into 1st then 2nd and it done fine for 5min. Started doing the same in 2nd, as if i was in neutral. Would only drive if I put it into 1st gear so therefore it was a long slow drive from work to home.
Also to note, reverse would barely do a thing. If I got it to rev high I could barely move on flat surface, when it started up hill it didnt have the power at all and just stopped.​

Fluid has been measuring fine and when I changed the fluid and filter the other day (didnt think it would help but figured why not just see and also wanted to check the trans anyways) fluids color was good but did have a slight burnt smell, also little to none at all on any metal shavings or anything, from some transmissions Ive seen in the past It took me off gaurd the clean conditon everything was in, and, of course, it did not help one bit after the new fluid and filter, the problem was still there. It'll only move like it should in 1st gear, and no bogging down of the motor or anthing, it runs fine during the whole process..
​

Well, I have changed transmissions before so thats not a problem, I just prefer not to do it if it may be a easier fix. Thats why I have been trying to research as much as possible, just lookin for a good starting point.. Ive wondered on if it may be the valve body, solenoids, torque converter, etc that may be causing the problem.​

Hope I have gaven enough info on my Explorer and I will be thankful for any help and advise. Thanks for the time and enjoying the sight more n more everyday.

 

[PopRichie77]

When the OD light flashed a code was stored in the computer, get the code read. Could be a blown valve body gasket.

 

[AlexSport'00]

I would just like to thank you for thoroughly searching for an answer, unlike so many others on here.

 

[AlexSport'00]

Any updates for us?

 

[Helton01x]

Not yet, Ive been busy workingand I was waiting for my paycheck to go thru the bank. Taking the valve body off tomorrow to go through it. And also rent a code reader from the local AutoZone to see what codes pull up on the system. Hope somethin shows up somewhere to give me an idea what's goin on with it. Fingers crossed.

 

[PopRichie77]

Make sure the code reader can read manufacture specific transmission codes, not all OBD2 readers can.
If you take the valve body apart, be careful and don't scratch the bores or the valves. it's possible to cause more harm than good.

 

[explorer-aus]

Although this reply is a bit late, i had the exact same problem. It came down to either being the inhibitor switch or a solenoid issue. I ended up replacing the inhibitor switch and it worked perfectly fine.

 

[Helton01x]

Well still no luck yet on the transmission. Workin' 6 days right now doesnt help at all. Been tearing into the trans again on what free time I can get. Did replace the inhibitor switch, nothin changed and apparently no one around here rents out a code reader that can pull up the trans codes. And I'm not paying to have it towed outta my garage jus to get a shop the next town over to pull em up for me. So its at a stand still.
Debating on tearing apart the valve body, been researching alot of that info. Also did notice while Ive got the Sport on jacks and the rear off the ground (got tired of wrenchin on it so I had jus wanted to see what itd do). I was able to have it in gear and was able to change 1st-2nd-and into drive (wouldnt do a thing in drive or reverse of course) like I used to when it started acting up but when I put it back on the ground it wouldnt budge at all. Just doesnt have the umph to get it moving. Hope to get working on it very soon. Debatin on while ive got it in the garage may work on other issues with the sport. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgivin

 

[Helton01x]

Well took off my valve body and the gasket was falling off in pieces. Hope replacing it may fix atleast some of my transmission issues.

 

[PopRichie77]

Be sure to replace the gasket under the separator plate also. Be careful removing it as some stuff may stick to it and don't turn the valve body over with the plate removed as some of the valve ( L ) keepers will fall out.

 

[Helton01x]

Thanks will remember that.

 

[Helton01x]

Hoping all goes well tonight. Just the other day recieved my gaskets in and replaced them this morning before work. Didnt have time to finish it all up before I had to go in so I'll be adding the finishing touches when I get off tonight. Hope it fixes it, tired of it sitting in the garage.

 

[Helton01x]

Replaced the gaskets and it didnt work... transmission wouldnt budge at all..

 

[dennis h]

I got the same problem with same symptoms. Seems we both got lucky. Mine had burnt out wiring, no obvious blown gaskets, 1/2 cup goo/aluminum filings. Wonder if the shift module got fried? I too don't have a good reader. Place up the road reads and rebuilds all modules. buck sixty. Any one know which wires power the four solenoids and which power the other two? I was going to try a jump test. I was an R&D guy that likes sparks.

 

[dennis h]

found the reason it wasn't going into park. Yepper, those two bolts on top of the column where you can just see but not touch if yer a big un. I' blind in left eye so sometimes I have a difficult time judging distance that close. I replaced the wiring, put a lining on the bare turbine speed sensor wires but it didn't budge when I started it with the slack cable. Charging battery now to see if it moves. Anyone have any ideas on possible power drains? I pretty much hate pulling fuses to watch for a tiny spark.

Now I know the 5R55W is supposed to have that sensor external but this one appears to be internal. Gets to where I don't know what to think.

 

[PopRichie77]

You might like sparks but computers don't.

 

[Helton01x]

I think Im finally just to the point, Im gonna just pull the old trans and get me another to throw in it. And with looking into that Ive found more issues. My body mounts are shot and my body has a lean to it (even the body is rubbing up against my driver's side rear tire, looks also like the previous owner place a 2x4 on each side on the frame in between the body and frame to keep it at some distance.) With the body basically bout to the frame Ive notice I cant even see or even slide a wrench on the top of the transmission to the top bolts for it. Its that small of a gap, almost looks like the body is sitting on the transmission. So it looks like I will need to fix that issue so I can even be able to take the trans out. Just my luck..

 

[Helton01x]

Random thought on this but Ive been searching and haven't really found anything. Ive read into putting a c4 behind a 4.0 OHV but never seen anything about putting one behind a SOHC 4.0? Just a question i had since I can get a c4 for hardly anything around here and the 5r55e trans are scarce in this area unless I wanna pay $500 or more for a used one with high miles (160k and up)... any reply would be good. Im not worried about overdrive at this point jus being able to drive it. And Im actually a fan of drivetrains that arent completely computer controlled.. I only work 20 min away and max speeds are 35 anyways lmao