Busted Flexplate Question

[vanionBB]

Hi,

I have a 1996 Explorer with a V6 OHV made in 1994 and rebuilt I think. I just pulled the Transmission and apparently it is a replacement from a 1995 Explorer (Guessing 4R44E Style).

I just bought this Explorer for a good price a few months ago and I knew it had some transmission problems. The O/D Light would flash after the truck warmed up, though it seemed to shift into 4th gear just fine (I am not sure though, is 3000 RPM normal for 70MPH on the highway?)...

Last week the flex plate went out. I knew it was the flex plate because the starter wouldnt grab the engine. I pulled the starter and felt sharp ridges where the flex plate met the crank shaft. Yesterday I finally got the transmission out and the flex plate removed.

Here are my questions:
1. Is 3000RPM on an OHV v6 normal for 70MPH cruizing speed?

2. Would a bad flex plate or misaligned torque converter cause the O/D light to flash (it never once set a code that I could read out, just flashed stupidly).

3. If you were me would you pick up a used transmission and replace it because it is out of the truck, or would you just replace the flex plate?

4. Finally, if I do pick up a transmission what is the best type that I could get? My truck is a 96 so it would support a 4R55e or a 4r44e, I might be able to get the pcm for a 5r55e but I dont know how much work would be involved transfering over the computers.

Thanks for all your help, you guys have been great in the past and continue to be great!

Cheers!

 

[410Fortune]

the flexplate breaking was unfortunatley a pretty common problem.
Youcan get a new one from the dealer semi cheap, they are stronger now (redesigned)

A broken flexplate can cause all sorts of transmission issues.

70mph at 3000 rpm has nothing to do with an explorer, it has to do with what gears are in the axles and size of tires, my 4.0L ran closer to 2500 rpm with 33" tires and 4.10 gears in OD

 

[Glacier991]

I think you should expect something closer to 2300-2500 at 70 MPH in 4th with stock gearing and tire sizes.

 

[vanionBB]

I found a used transmission for $600+core comes with torque converter and they say it is tested. The flex plate from ford is 125.00 with a part number F1TZ-6375-BA.

Should I go for it, replace the whole thing? Or would I be better off trying to use my current transmission? Regardless I need a flex plate so that is a no brainer.

I dont have a ton of time but I do want to do this right, and I plan on keeping the vehicle for many years. I know a rebuild would probably be the best option, I wonder how much an already rebuilt tranny would cost me, estimated? At $600 for a guaranteed working tranny its hard to pass up, though I am doing all the work installing and if it is a lemon tranny I am pretty much screwed.

 

[410Fortune]

did it have all gears before?
How was shifting?
How did the fluid look?

If your trans was working before sans the broken flex plate then you may be asdking for more problems with a "fishy" $600 used unit.

 

[vanionBB]

The fluid was great, though I did just flush it a few weeks ago.

The shifting was good and as far as I could tell the gears were all there.

The only issue I have is the O/D light would flash whenever it warmed up. If the torque converter / flex plate could cause the O/D light to flash then I dont think I need a new transmission. The fact that it was flashing leads me to believe the transmission was in Limp Home Mode. I am not sure that a failing flex plate can trigger that.

If the O/D light flashing was not caused by a bad flex plate or a misaligned torque converter then it must be from the transmission... I figgure while the tranny is out, I might as well solve the issues I had prior to the failure of the flex plate.

Thanks again for your prompt responses.

Cheers!

 

[vanionBB]

I am almost leaning toward picking up a rebuilt tranny or rebuilding it myself. I am very familiar with the diaries stickied, I wish i could purchase a frankentranny and drop that in but it would take to long I think.

Glacier, did you say something in another thread about a rebuild kit that was around 250? I cant seem to find the link to it, could you pm it to me?

Thanks again

 

[vanionBB]

OK so here is what I think I am going to do so far:

$245 - Rebuilt torque converter (is there a way to test if my current torque converter is ok?)

$125 - Ford Flexplate (F1TZ-6375-BA)
OR
$110 - Napa Flexplate (Balkamp-600-5086)

I plan to rebuild the current transmission a little at least. I was told to change out the front seal on the transmission (oil pump seal). I think I will replace the valve body gasket as well, and maybe some of the solenoids. Should i take it any further?

I have some limited tool capability and I would like to not have to buy a bunch of tools I will only use once. I want to take the transmission down as far as I can in a short amount of time with the least risk on my side.

What do you suggest?

 

[410Fortune]

pull the codes from the computer, this will tell you why the OD light was flashing.

 

[vanionBB]

Fortune,

It is a little late for that. Part of removing the transmission is pulling the battery cable which resets the computer, and I will be damned if I an putting the transmission back in just to test drive a code back into the pcm to read it out again. BTW I like your avatar

 

[410Fortune]

its likely something simple, wiring or shift solenoid if the trans was working awesome.
it is late though for pulling the code

 

[toy720]

Thats a 4r55e 245.00 for a rebuilt tc seems kinda high i got mine for 125.00 exch

 

[vanionBB]

toy,
Where did you get your TC? Maybe they fedex?

 

[Glacier991]

That's about what I get mine for too, $125.

 

[Glacier991]

I'm curious what makes you think it is not the A4LD ? Have you removed the pan yet ?

 

[8588ranger]

Transmission Parts USA has flexplates for under $50.00.

 

[toy720]

I got mine from aaaa transmissions 817-624-1441 in fort worth texas. Glacier i have not really read this thread but if he is talking about the 96 xlt I thought all 95-96 came with the 4r55e?

 

[vanionBB]

8588 Ranger, I can't seem to find the flexplate for my truck on that site, I have a 4R55E transmission made in 1995. If you have a link that can get me closer, or maybe it is in the catalog?

Toy, I will check them out on monday. Maybe I can save some $$ by shopping around thanks for the heads up.

Glacier, I am pretty sure it is a 4R55e because it came out of a 1995 explorer, though I will get some pictures and try to find a number on it. I thought the A4LD didnt have alot of electronic controls, and mine does have quite a few solenoids, I think thats what they are anyway.

The plan I have now is to do a quick rebuild / inspection of the transmission and just put it back in with the new flexplate and torque converter. If I can get the plate and converter for under 200 bux i will be a very happy camper

Cheers!

 

[toy720]

should be six solenoids

 

[BrooklynBay]

The A4LD only had 2 solenoids from 88-94, and one before this. James, did you get that email I sent you a few months ago about the torque converter rebuilder in Queens? They have torque converters for $50. Their local store in Brooklyn sells them for $75. I don't know how much a core charge is, or shipping both ways on a converter would be. VanionBB, let me know if you want that information from either 8588Ranger, or from me. I would suggest that you also replace the flywheel to crankshaft spacer while the transmission is out with the 6 bolt version from Sonnax. Here is the link: http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=400-056000CS6