Clattering tranny with no drive.

[sooty]

Hi. I have a 1998 MY UK-spec Explorer. It has done less than 50,000 miles but has transmission problems. I was wondering if one of you guys could help me along with diagnosing the problem before I give up and take it to the shop for a GBP1500 rebuild- ouch.

The noise comes from underneath the truck from the front of the tranny/ back of the engine area. When it first starts it is quiet. After a minute or two it starts a rythmic clanking noise. Other thing is that there is only drive in 2 and reverse. Local garage checked the OBD and said the fault was lack of pressure at the valve chests thereby letting the belts slip.

Any ideas on what needs doing?

Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! A lack of pressure on these transmissions is usually the result of a failing EPC solenoid. Do you have the pressure readings from this test? The transmission pressure, and EPC pressure readings are different. The transmission (5R55E) uses clutch plates within clutch pack assemblies, not belts.

 

[sooty]

Hi. Thanks for that. I don't have the pressures, I can only go on what the guy from the garage said from the OBD code: that is that the pressure was low. What do you think the noise might be?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Try to get the code # from him. It might be hydraulic noise. Some transfer cases start to make noise. A bad torque converter could also make noise. I had one which was a rebuilt (but came defective). It made a loud whine when it was cold, and I had bad slippage until I finally lost all of my gears.

 

[sooty]

I will try to get the code but knowing the way things work over here I expect he will have forgotten...

I have been reading yours and Glacier991's posts (amongst others) and I wanted to thank you all from being there for us newbies. Especially as the UK can seem a very long way from anyone who talks any sense about Explorers and ATs. Cheers.

 

[sooty]

Hi. Local garage guy did not keep a record of the code #. I wish I'd asked him at the time he checked it. :S

From what I've read here on the forum it seems that the 5R55E uses solenoids to provide the pressure boost to shift into the various gears. I guess the basic oil pressure in the transmission comes from the transmission oil pump (located next to the tc). If (as the garage guy describes it) the vb is not holding pressure what would cause that? I am trying to reconcile the noise and the known faults in my own mind. The tranny is in limp mode and as such (given what I have read of the posts here) the fact I have 2 and R is due to the fact that the tranny control unit boosts the pressure. I would have thought that if the EPC solenoid was finished it would not be able to do this or have I missed something?

The thought I am having is that the tc or the oil pump has made swarf and that has passed through the tranny. That would explain the noise at the front of the transmission. What effect would the metal swarf passing through the tranny have on the function of it?

I think the guy who had the truck before me changed the transmission oil in the hope of making it better cheaply. The oil is clean and doesn't smell burnt and there's no sign of metal flecks. I have only checked it at the dipstick.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Glacier991]

I always enjoy chatting with our friends on the other side of the pond. I am sure you smile at some of our expressions just as we do yours. Bonnet vs. hood, for example. Another example is swarf.... what is swarf?

Tranny noise is usually not a good sign... but often transfer case noise masquerades as transmission noise.

We can continue to work with you on this...

 

[sooty]

Hi. Swarf is metal shavings. Perhaps from broken bearings or whatever. What do you guys call it?

I really do appreciate your help.

 

[BrooklynBay]

We call it metal shavings.

 

[sooty]

That's a logical approach to it. You say tomato.... etc.

I hope this language barrier won't hinder me sorting out my transmission.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are the repair manuals there written in the same lingo?

 

[sooty]

Not for the Explorer. I have to speak American. Luckily I've been watching MTV's Pimp my Ride so I'm getting pretty fluent.