5R55S - P0755, P0732, P0735 codes - another thread…

[Natef0022]

Hi everyone…new poster, long time reader. I think I’ve read every thread on these three codes so when my 2004 Ford Explorer started having this issue, I was somewhat prepared. So, short story is, 163K on the clock, codes popped up. Long shift flare between 1st and 2nd - no 5th gear or TC lockup at speed. The transmission fluid was pretty black, so obviously never serviced (I bought the truck used for $2500 for my college kid to run back and forth to college). Took it to a transmission shop and they quoted a rebuild at $3200 - $5000. I figured, well, if I’m going to spend that kind of money, I might as well find another “beater with a heater” and go ahead and junk this one. Fast forward, I did some searching on marketplace and found a guy that was selling a 5R55S out of his wrecked explorer so I picked that up to try first. Fluid was OK looking…case isn’t all busted up…I’m a pretty mechanical guy so I figured I’d take the gamble…standard story, ran good when parked kinda thing. Swapped it in and guess what….exact same codes! So this transmission’s fluid wasn’t as black as the other, so I decided to service the trans with a new filter to see if maybe the codes would go away….nope…same codes. I’m back to the scrap idea, unless there’s something else that might be causing this…PCM maybe?

 

[JK080]

Look in the case connector for corrosion.

The A/C drain drips right on the connector and causes connection issues.

 

[Natef0022]

Thanks! I’ll look at that next. I glanced at it when we put the “new” transmission in, but didn’t inspect it closely.

 

[Natef0022]

Well, if it’s corroded, you can’t tell. I ordered a new one anyway. Maybe $20 will fix it.

 

[Natef0022]

Look in the case connector for corrosion.

The A/C drain drips right on the connector and causes connection issues.

I installed the new connector today…no change. I rechecked the ohm values from the fuse #37 through the solenoids just to be sure that I spliced everything correctly and all of the resistance values were within spec. I recorded a live scan of the truck driving using FORScan and you can see the pressures changing across the three solenoids….ranging from 40psi to 115psi. Any other ideas?

 

[JK080]

Well that's not good...

Those codes indicate that the overdrive band is not working, 2nd and 5th are achieved by applying the overdrive band.

These transmissions are known for broken bands, broken servo pistons and worn servo bores so maybe both transmissions are bad

One way to check for a broken band is to see how many times the overdrive band adjustment bolt will turn in. If it turns in more than 3 times the band is probably broken or worn out. If the band adjustment stops around 2 turns I would back it back out two turns and lock it back down, then I would inspect the overdrive servo hopefully its broken.

This is a little tricky in the car but it can be done, I have done this before.

 

[wollimann]

5R55W Transmission Showing P0775, P0732, P0735

I rebuilt this transmission 10,000 miles ago and am now getting the P0755, P0732, P0735 codes. When I rebuilt the transmission, I took it to a locale transmission shop and he added the servo sleeves to the servo bores. What would you all suggest starting with?

www.explorerforum.com

Ford Lincoln Mercury Explorer Mountaineer Navigator Servo Bore Fix

AJ1E Superior Solutions, LLC - Ford Servo Bore Transmission Fix Solution Kit

www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com

good luck

 

[Natef0022]

@wollimann I ordered the servo bore kit for the OD band, so hopefully it comes in this week.
@JK080 , I did the band adjustment procedure and it didn't go in more than a couple of turns to get to 120in lbs. Backed it off two full turns and locked it back down. Do you know what the pressure readings on the PCS A, B, and C, should read in each gear?

 

[wollimann]

Do you know what the pressure readings on the PCS A, B, and C, should read in each gear?

Page 21

 

[Natef0022]

Many thanks everyone for the suggestions. Turns out, the culprit was indeed the O/D servo! The servo bore fix kit came in today and I had some time to put it in. Popped the cap off and looky looky…Installed the new servo and 2nd and 5th are back…a little firmer than before, but they’re back!

 

[JK080]

Good deal! Nice to see it work out for you.

If you have a good scanner you can reset the KAM (Keep Alive Memory) which may smooth out those shifts.

Check your old transmission with the band adjustment trick to see if that band is broken just so you know and you may have a fixable backup.

 

[Natef0022]

We took it for a good 100 mile road trip yesterday to the Pick-a-Part “near” our house and by the time we got home, the shifts were super smooth. I was pretty happy to see the sleeve when I took the old servo out, so it looks like this transmission was rebuilt at one time or another. I think with the old trans, I may go ahead and rebuild it on the bench. The fluid was pretty black when we pulled it, so I’m sure there’s not much clutch material left anyway. What’s a good kit for these for the rebuild?

 

[allmyEXes]

@Natef0022 @JK080 Post #10 the second picture. Is the piston supposed to be two piece or is it broken? I'm having a similar issue
in my 1999 Ranger 3.0 powered vehicle. Is the transmission in my '99 3.0 Ranger similar enough to the 5R55S that they share some of
the same issues?

 

[Natef0022]

@allmyEXes , it’s definitely not supposed to be a two piece I honestly don’t know a whole lot about transmissions, but I learned a lot troubleshooting this one!

 

[wollimann]

What’s a good kit for these for the rebuild?

Transtec Gasket Set 46002C
or a master kit like this with optional parts to choose

5R55W 5R55S Rebuild Kit Automatic Transmission Master Banner Overhaul Box Set Ford Lincoln Mercury

Check out the deal on 5R55W 5R55S Rebuild Kit Automatic Transmission Master Banner Overhaul Box Set Ford Lincoln Mercury at Oregon Performance Transmission

www.oregonperformancetransmission.com

I did not repair a 5R55S , but have the 5R55E overhauled 3 times.
With the ATSG manual and a bucket of assembly lube

Amazon.com

a clutch press (new clutch plates soaking in MecronV) and a digital mesuring slide for end plays
you are good to go.
Maybe a shift kit (Superior K5R55W/N/S | Superior Transmission Parts - The problem solvers of the transmission industry) makes sense.
Maybe a new sprag makes sense too, you will see that while inspecting parts.

Amazon.com

A sonnax end plug kit is a good option for the valve body.

O-Ringed End Plug Kit - 56947J-66K

In Ford 5R55W and 5R55S valve bodies, some end plugs and their bores are often worn due to small movements of the end plug within the bore. This motion is ca

www.sonnax.com

And maybe a servo bore fix is needed, but the tools are very expensive.

Overdrive & Intermediate Servo Pin Bore Sleeve Kit - 56361J-01K

Servo apply oil is fed through the center of the case bridge and into the servo pin, reacting on the cover side of the piston. As the case pin bore wears, th

www.sonnax.com

Good luck and take your time