Another trans 4R55E question.

[Glen4X4]

Ok, well the 95 I got its 4X4, when I got it, it only drove a couple times within 1 1/2-2years timing and 2yrs ago the trans was rebuilt. Well the other day the O/D started flashing, so I reset the computer by disconnecting the Negative batt. cable that solved it for a couple days til yesterday it started doing it again so I did the negative batt. cable trick again well after I started driving it again it happened again. I don't see how this could have trouble if the trans was rebuilt, right now I'm leanin towards getting another trans because I'm afraid to work on a trans and don't want my ex out of service for a month til I "try" to rebuild it. I was going to put the trans in it from the 96ex but I don't know my cousin and I could do that in a days timing (to switch trans with explorers). Was suppose to go to a 4X4 trip this weekend but I'm afraid of it breakin down and having a huge tow bill. I mean it seems to drive alright except for some bucking sometimes when the O/D kicks in but I drove through a creek and up over a steep bank yesterday and it was fine even though that O/D light was flashing. Is there something small that could have happened in the trans that I could fix with it still being in the truck? I tried being as descriptive as I think I should be, if you have any questions please ask. Thanks



EDIT: called the person I bought it from and he said it wasn't a rebuilt one.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Don't disconnect the battery. It will temporarily clear the code. You have to see what code numbers are stored. It will tell you what the problem is. Do you have a warranty?

 

[Glen4X4]

Don't disconnect the battery. It will temporarily clear the code. You have to see what code numbers are stored. It will tell you what the problem is. Do you have a warranty?

No there isn't a warranty, I need to make a correction, I called the guy I bought the truck from and I guess it wasn't a rebuilt one. So sorry for posting wrong information. So I can pull a code from it to know what is wrong with it huh? Since this is the first automatic transmission that I've experienced a problem from, I forgot that a code reader can tell you what exactly is wrong with it. Guess I need to find a shop that has one of those since we don't have an autozone in this area.

 

[Glen4X4]

What normally causes the O/D flash Brooklyn?

 

[Evil Eye]

The O/D flash is to the tranny what the check engine light is for your engine. It means that there is something out of spec with the tranny. Pull the codes and it will tell you what is out of spec...

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah tomorrow I've gotta go to my step dad's cousins garage and he's going to see if he can pull the codes. I shoulda just stuck with manual explorers like I thought I should lol.

 

[Glen4X4]

I Checked the trans fluid in the explorer. The fluid was starting to turn darker than normal and holy crap was it over the hatch marks on the dipstick! I mean it was way over the full mark. I checked it after we had been running it for a couple hours tonight. And also when we were driving if we had let off the gas and it'd shift you could hear it shift it was like a clunk. Any thoughts on those things I mentioned? I'm glad you're here Brooklyn, you seem to know everything about transmissions.

 

[Glacier991]

Remember to check the transmission fluid with the engine running, in neutral after a brief warm up period.

There are literally dozens of things that can lead to the OD light flashing... contrary to some common belief, the OD light flashing does not mean one thing, or even a choice of several in the normal situation. It can mean any one of dozens of things but you will not know WHAT it means until you read it. I have heard folks say things like: "Oh, that means thhat your flammistan went out... that's exactly what happened to me when mine flashed!". WRONG. Yours is not theirs.

The place to start is reading the codes. Clean fresh Mercon V fluid is also a good start as well.

 

[Glen4X4]

Alright thanks Glacier almost forgot you're a transmission expert too. But I'm suppose to go to a garage tomorrow and get them read. And when I checked the fluid I had it running and in Park, was told that checking in Park and Neutral is the same, I thought the explorer manual said to check in Park. Do you think I should do it in neutral? If so tomorrow after having it warmed I'll check it in neutral. But holy crap I couldn't believe how full the trans showed it was way above that cross hatched area on the dipstick.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The 95 was the last year to use the EEC-IV system, so you could save some money, and read the codes by using a wire or a paper clip to make the check engine light flash the codes. # 17 in my list of useful threads has more information on this procedure: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160035. I have a link in # 14 about checking, and adding fluid: Dead Link Removed

 

[Glen4X4]

Alright thank you. I'll read up on the paper clip idea and see if I can get it to work but have my fiance there so she can write while I do it.

Edit: I see its just a one man job, not like I originally thought

 

[Glen4X4]

Ok, here is what we came up with, let me know if it makes any sense to you, I looked at the definitions and not making much sense to me, 33, 53, 35 -------16, 48, 648. I tried to follow the directions from that fuel injection site, not if none of this is correct please tell me and We will try again. Thanks

 

[Glacier991]

"Alright thanks Glacier almost forgot you're a transmission expert too."

Glad to know I am not forgotten (wink). And I apologize about park vs. neutral and yes they are the same.

Of the codes you retrieved the only potentially trans related code is 53. It is the code for TP (throttle position) voltage below minimum voltage. (See all those engine sensors DO affect the transmission after all!)

Now we have a place to start.

At the mileage yours has, and in the fluid condition you have... we have a number of issues to deal with. First off, you should do the "add and pump out" (a new term I just coined since I hate the term "flush") fluid replacement procedure. Good news? You are starting with clean fluid. Bad news? You may dislodge old gunk with the detergents in the new fluid... causing other problems.... but stay with me. Drop the pan after you do the pump and refill and replace the filter with a FRAM microfelt one. You can save the fluid you lose and re-use it if you clean the area around the pan before you drop it, otherwise plan on adding a few more quarts of clean fluid.

Once you do that... read up on the throttle position sensor and testing it on this site. I'm betting your Throttle position sensor is gone or going bad. After you test it if it is bad, replace it.

Now... you will have solved THAT problem..... BUT... MAY... I repeat *MAY*.. create some issues with the new fluid. If they occur. IF. We can deal with those when and IF they appear.

Keep us posted.

ps. to you and others on the board..... These days I do not have the time to post as often as I used to, and we have an ever increasing number of talented folks on the board providing good advice. Often I will come online and if a question has been handled with good advice in my view, I will not add my 2 cents... what's the point. I try and respond to direct emails as I am able.