5R55S issues

[jserbs]

after 158,000 miles, what appears to be my transmission in the 08 Ironman decided to quit on me. I was driving home from the store when I noticed second to third was starting to slip. I deemed I was close enough to my destination so I started to granny it on the side streets in an attempt to get it home. After another mile or so, the tach redlined when attempting to start after a stop and would harshly shift into 2nd after bouncing off limiter. This appeared to be the case for every gear. I then got the dreaded wrench light and multiple codes saying I had incorrect ratios for every gear . I threw on the flashers and coasted home and she's been parked ever since. I put her up on jack stands and took a peek under and found what seemed to be trans fluid leaking from the rear and front of the tranny. Not really a job Id like to tackle myself. This has been the only real issue I've had so far since buying at 40,000 mi so can't really complain. Currently waiting to accumulate the funds to get her back on the road.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Are you planning to do it yourself ?

 

[jserbs]

Are you planning to do it yourself ?

More than likely Ill take it to a shop down the street. I can repair most things but transmission work is not quite my forte.

 

[Explorer_PL]

OK, good luck. They should have them on the shelf ready to swap.
They are quite popular

 

[Drewmcg]

If they decide to rebuild your trans, some points:

• confirm that they will drill out the 3rd gear and overdrive piston bores, and sleeve with brass, to correct the ubiquitous oval wear issue caused by the stainless steel piston rods wearing out the aluminum bore holes;
• confirm that they will either replace the the transmission cooler (small radiator) and flush the lines, or fully flush the old cooler that they have confirmed is not too worn/corrupted with shards from the old trans innards;
• If you tow much--especially in hot or mountainous regions--consider having them put a larger trans cooler in;
• confirm that they will replace the torque converter. There are rebuilt ones out there; just make sure they use a quality part;
• ask them about quality "upgrade" kits for this transmission. There is a replacement part in the pump, and some upgrades to the valve body. They are from quality, reputable vendors and are inexpensive. Now's the time to install them. If they give you a blank stare, then they're probably not familiar with this transmission, and you should tow it somewhere else;
• make sure that they will re-fill with genuine Motorcraft Mercon-V. Don't believe them if they say that that they use/recommend something else. Tell 'em you want (and will pay for) Mercon-V, and have them document it.

There are lots of other things they need to do (e.g., test and replace bad solenoids; replace filter); this list is not exhaustive. But the other stuff they'd do on any transmission rebuild.

Good luck.

 

[jserbs]

OK, good luck. They should have them on the shelf ready to swap.
They are quite popular

Thank you! Still going to be a few more weeks before I can afford to take her in as I have been busy with school and haven't been able to work as much. I was browsing CL and stumbled upon an almost identical 08 Ironman but with a 4.6. Im more than temped to dump my exploder and upgrade as its in way better condition but again, funds are limited until I can work full time in the summer. So close but yet so far lol

If they decide to rebuild your trans, some points:

• confirm that they will drill out the 3rd gear and overdrive piston bores, and sleeve with brass, to correct the ubiquitous oval wear issue caused by the stainless steel piston rods wearing out the aluminum bore holes;
• confirm that they will either replace the the transmission cooler (small radiator) and flush the lines, or fully flush the old cooler that they have confirmed is not too worn/corrupted with shards from the old trans innards;
• If you tow much--especially in hot or mountainous regions--consider having them put a larger trans cooler in;
• confirm that they will replace the torque converter. There are rebuilt ones out there; just make sure they use a quality part;
• ask them about quality "upgrade" kits for this transmission. There is a replacement part in the pump, and some upgrades to the valve body. They are from quality, reputable vendors and are inexpensive. Now's the time to install them. If they give you a blank stare, then they're probably not familiar with this transmission, and you should tow it somewhere else;
• make sure that they will re-fill with genuine Motorcraft Mercon-V. Don't believe them if they say that that they use/recommend something else. Tell 'em you want (and will pay for) Mercon-V, and have them document it.

There are lots of other things they need to do (e.g., test and replace bad solenoids; replace filter); this list is not exhaustive. But the other stuff they'd do on any transmission rebuild.

Good luck.

Thank you for the info! I will definitely refer back to this when the time comes to get her fixed. I was hoping to be able to upgrade and buy the 4.6 I found on CL but I know it won't stay up long enough for me to gather up the dough so rebuilding is most likely what will happen.

 

[jserbs]

just wanted to throw an update on the situation. Money is tight as i’m saving up before I move to New York for the fall. After doing some more research and looking through the codes and symptoms, I’m starting to think it’s the solenoid block that’s gone bad and is causing my problems. There are multiple codes pointing to the solenoids and the harsh shift into reverse and drive seem to be cause by that. I had problems with the torque converter clutch solenoid for about a month and the wrench light was always on but it wasn’t affecting the drive ability so I tried to keep that in the back of my mind. About a week before I parked the car, The wrench light stopped coming on and unless the car magically fixed itself, I feel like that could be another thing pointing to the solenoid block being on the fritz. I’m taking a shot in the dark here but i’m tempted to go full send and take it apart myself and go for the repair.

 

[rustylugnut]

Have you checked the fluid since the trans went out? Fluid that smells burnt is indicative of burnt clutches.

 

[Drewmcg]

I’d guess that the slipping into third that caused you to park the truck is a sign of the ubiquitous 3rd gear piston bore issue (though overdrive usually fails first). There is a kit to fix w/o dropping the trans, which I’ve done successfully. solenoids do fail, too, of course, but not as often in my experience. 158 k miles is prime time for bore wear issue....

 

[jserbs]

Hi everyone! Thank you for all the help and advice! Unfortunately the timing just isn’t right as I move to New York next month and need a reliable car to make the trip back and forth to Illinois. All the shops around me quoted me an arm and a leg to fix the trans and it would cost even more money to get the engine to a point where I trust it enough to make the 800 mile trek. The car was in pretty rough shape from the previous owner and at this point it’s hard to justify fixing it. I don’t have the means or the time to do the car right so looks like it’s time to sell to someone who does. Planning on getting a jku or a grand cherokee. Thanks again for everything

 

[donalds]

A jeep.

 

[jserbs]

A jeep.

Possibly crossing over to the dark side. Who knows, i’ve been entertaining the idea of upgrading to an Expedition instead but all I know is I need a car and stat hahaha

 

[donalds]

Any ford will do