Fluid Change???

[Explorer_Dave]

Hi I'm new to the board. I have a 2002 explorer xls. I just had the shift solenoid replaced but the garage said that I also need a tranny flush to make the problem go away. The problem is that when shifting under hard acceleration the trans wants to wind out. will a fluid change help this?

Thanks

 

[je5]

It may or may not. Since you just had a fluid change I would try to bargain with him on the additional labor charge for the flush if it is not sucessful.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

flushing the transmission fluid is always a bonus!

 

[Glacier991]

I guess I am a little information deprived to offer much advice. How many miles on your tranny? What symptoms made you take it in, did you have a flashing OD light ? If so what was the code returned? Which shift solenoid was changed? What does the fluid look like? Was the current symptom unchanged with a solenoid change? Which shift is affected by the flare?

More info is better.

 

[Explorer_Dave]

There are 58,000 miles on the tranny. Its a V6 engine. I had a flashing od light. I forgot to ask what the code was. It was winding out between fitrst and second gears. It also felt like when i was in overdrive. it had to many rpm's for the gear.
The symptoms were unchanged after the solenoid was replaced. but the shift from park to drive is better. I hope this helps. I'm going back to the garage today because the od light came on again not long after i picked it up.

 

[Glacier991]

I keep having to remember where FORD changed over to the 5R55W... what trans do you have ?

 

[Explorer_Dave]

Where would I find the tranny type? its a 5 speed auto if that helps you.

 

[je5]

The code on the driver's door post labeled Tr for transmission.

 

[Explorer_Dave]

I thinks it a v

 

[Explorer_Dave]

It is a 5R55W tranny. The codes for June 1 were PO735 and PO77S. The codes for today were PO732 and PO733.

 

[Glacier991]

Ok now I have better info. Thanks. A couple more Q's if I might. When you say the shop "replaced a solenoid" ... how much did they charge you? If it was under $300 what did they tell you exactly that they did?

 

[Explorer_Dave]

My receipt says solenoid assembly. 7191A10 Automatic transmission solenoid. The part was about 290.

I went back today and found out that the previous owner never replaced the fluid. It smelled horribly.

 

[rizzjc]

58,000 miles and it "smelled horrible"? That sounds somewhat surprising.

 

[Glacier991]

Ok, now you know why I was asking at the $300 level. The 5R55W uses a solenoid "block"... all the solenoids in one unit. And that price is about right.

Two things come to my mind. First.... had I been the shop, I might have been inclined to replace the fluid FIRST, before I exposed a brand new solenoid block to it. (I'll not be too critical on this point though, 20/20 hindsight is easy). But, they are right in that bad fluid in this tranny can cause a lot of problems.....I'd say...Let them flush it and INSIST that they use Mercon V, and not some additive to make a lesser grade "act" like Mercon V. (Long story, trust me on this tell them you insist they use Mercon V and ask to see proof of it - like an empty bottle). Ok...short version... Mercon III can have an additive added that makes it perform like Mercon V... but V is a semi synthetic, and III is non-synthetic. USE V!

Lets keep our fingers crossed. Ordinarily I would say that if that does not fix it... you have have some valve body or separator plate issues. BUT..... and sorry....

You still have electrical codes!

I suspect you might have wiring harness issues, either internal or external wiring harnesses. Bad fluid will not cause it to throw codes of that type in my experience. Those codes are saying the solenoids for one reason or another are not acting ok. ELECTRICALLY. IF this is a new Solenoid block it must be external to the block.

I'd let them add the Mercon V, it needs it anyway, but I do not think that is going to solve the code issues. Let's see.

 

[Glacier991]

As for your issues and mileage.... I am just starting to get to know the 5R55W. It was introduced around 2002. The solenoid block had its share of early problems, and your mileage of around 60K was about where many of them started to exhibit it. Low pressures can cause slippage, which can cause excess localized heat which can burn fluid making it stink.

I am too new to this issue to speak with any authority, but if you just read this forum you will find others who had this issue or similar around 60K in the W. I think FORD needs to step up to the plate on this one. My preliminary opinion. Customers should not be the test platform.

 

[Explorer_Dave]

I went back to the garage yesterday June 2. They checked the codes. They insisted that since the fluid not been changed ever that i get a fluid change i'm not sure what was put back in, but the service manager said there is an additive in it that should help the problem. if that doesn't help it she said to call her and bring it in monday. she also wanted me to drive it this weekend to see if that helped. well the od light came back on not long after i left the garage. so obviously the problem isn't solved. not long after that the check engine light came on. So the part that was put on thursday June 1 was a whole assembly? I was under the impression that they were separate parts. But if they are on assembly that stands to reason why i got another code as soon as i left there on thursday with the old fluid still running thru it. is it possible that the old fluid messed up more that one shift solenoid. also like you mentioned in the last post i was told that old fluid will cause low pressure and can cause slippage. they are thinking that it could be a band now also. it also still winds out between gears.

 

[Explorer_Dave]

My explorer will be going back to the garage monday to see if it has a bad band.