HELP! 03 Explorer purchase screws me! No 2nd shift

[B4CTROOPER]

Let me introduce myself. I'm an idiot, and my name is stupid.
I bought a 2003 4.0L XLS Explorer with 76K miles on it the other day from a "NJ state dealer" as shady as they come. I'll skip to the problem with the truck itself to save me some embarassment.

After pulling away from picking up the truck, and getting to a road where construction had not ripped it up, I had no shift into second gear. The O/D light starts flashing, and all I saw was red (I think the red actually has nothing to do with the truck). Called the "dealer" up and he said he had no idea about that. So, now I'm screwed. Anyway, I'm hoping I can get some help in fixing it on here.

Here's what has happened so far. I had to manually shift into 3rd gear and then ito 4th to get home. The trans refuses to upshift into second. I don't know if 5th gear works as the O/D light flashing had me too pissed to pay attention. A drive later on showed that if I shift into manual 2nd, it does go into second gear no problem and holds. I called my trans guy and he told me it will be one of three things. Either the solenoid pack is bad, the servo has issues, or the band broke.
After using the search button on here, I tried tightening the band adjustment, and it seemed like after tightening 2 turns, it was much more difficult to turn. I would think the band SHOULD be ok then.
Any ideas on what to check next? Is there a way to test the solenoid pack, or the servo? I want to avoid taking this to the trans shop if possible. I spent all I could afford to buy a new family truck, so I don't really have anything left to pay someone to fix it.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[KPSquared]

Don't you have any rights there? You can't get away with that here...

I'd go in there and cram that truck down his throat.

Sorry, I have no tranny advice, other than remove it and throw it through the window of that dealership...

 

[Fredness]

I thought there was a 72 hour on contracts/major purchases?
Without prior disclosure, I'd send it back or get the local news station "investigators" to hunt them down.

 

[Glen4X4]

I do believe you have some for rights involved here, I know a couple years ago when I bought one of my trucks, noticed after buying that the shackle was rusted so the dealer replaced it and it wasn't some big Ford dealer. Get in contact with the better business bureau to see if there are legal actions that you can take to get the truck fixed if the dealer refuses to fix it.

 

[B4CTROOPER]

I'd rather try the fix myself. It's very complicated, and I'll prob have no recourse (although I will stiff him in legal ways later on). I will be stuck fixing it myself most likely. Now I know why the truck was such a good price!

 

[B4CTROOPER]

This gets better by the minute. Drove it today, and discovered I was wrong. There is no 2nd gear or 5th. Manual 2nd does not work (must have had it in 3rd when I tested it). Took it to my mechanic and had him hook up a real scanner instead of my actron which showed no codes. Hold on to your seat on this one:
P0732 Incorrect gear 2 ratio
P0735 Incorrect gear 5 ratio
U1262 Stan Comm Protocol Comm Bus Malfunction
C1235 Wheel Speed Right Rear Input Signal Missing
C1236 Wheel Speed Left Rear Input Signal Missing
P1867 Transfer Case Contact Plate Gen Circ Malf
U1950 UBP Comm Malfunction
U1059 Standard Comm Protocol (J1850) invalid/missing data for trans/transaxle/park rev neutral drive low
U1073 Standard Comm Protocol (J1850) invalid/missing data for odometer
U1262 Bus Malfunction
B1352 Ign key in circuit malf
B1360 Ign run/accessory circ open

Yes, 12 CODES! Called him and told him I wanted my money back, and he tells me it's as is, but he'll help me if the repair bill is around $500. Yeah right. The trans repair alone will be more than that. Needless to say, I'm still in the red zone even though I just talked to him over an hour ago.

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on where to get started on this thing? I'm going to fix it, and keep it. He'll get his one day I'm sure when he does it to someone with nothing to lose.

 

[PopRichie77]

WOW is about all I can say, You should also have an ABS light on? Does the speedometer work? It looks like someone messed with the truck that had no idea what he was doing and in turn fouled up a lot of electronics. A full wiring diagram is needed, and a knowledge of auto electronics. These trucks are fully controlled by the PCM (computer) which may also be bad.
Start here.---Check the wiring plugs on the transmission and transfer case they may be unplugged or not fully seated, give a slight pull on them and if they come off they were not snapped into place.

 

[B4CTROOPER]

I did some searching after posting and found 1 thread that set the 3 ABS codes straight. Most likely it will be the sensor in the rear diff. I'm not worried about those at all. I am worried about the trans for now. I don't think they're all related, but it looks like I'm going to need a FSM and whatever advice I can get! Look at it this way, if that sensor in the diff takes care of the 3 codes, there are only 9 more to go!

 

[PopRichie77]

All problems other than the trans codes should be fixed first. The PCM uses engine sensors and other sensors to shift the trans, if you don't fix those first and it's a sensor that it uses the trans will not shift correctly. However I drove my 1999 for several months with a bad rear ABS sensor and there were no shift problems. The 03 may not need this sensor for shifting, I didn't look up all your codes but any engine codes has to be fixed first.

 

[GuardianSport]

This thread is hilarious.

+1 to B4CTROOPER, keep buying and fixing sick Explorers my good man!

 

[waskly]

does the check eng light come on? not for nothing even sold as is, the car from a dealership has to pass inspection and i believe drive train and engine has to be good or its automatic lemon law.

 

[waskly]

P0732 Incorrect gear 2 ratio
P0735 Incorrect gear 5 ratio
*U1262 Stan Comm Protocol Comm Bus Malfunction
**C1235 Wheel Speed Right Rear Input Signal Missing
**C1236 Wheel Speed Left Rear Input Signal Missing
P1867 Transfer Case Contact Plate Gen Circ Malf
*U1950 UBP Comm Malfunction
*U1059 Standard Comm Protocol (J1850) invalid/missing data for trans/transaxle/park rev neutral drive low
*U1073 Standard Comm Protocol (J1850) invalid/missing data for odometer
*U1262 Bus Malfunction
*B1352 Ign key in circuit malf
*B1360 Ign run/accessory circ open

ignore all the things with *

** you need a rear abs sensor in the pumpkin.

as for the 2 p codes, i would do a nys inspection then lemon law the car on the seller if its a business since it has to pass NYS inspection.

the trans need to be overhauled for the 2 incorrect gear ratios something broke inside.

the p1867 or the tcase codes are for clutches, new sensors u have put the pins in the old connector i woudnt cut them and butt connect them, just asking for trouble esp to expose connectors.

 

[PopRichie77]

He bought it in NJ, Pa law says let the buyer beware, if you buy with a posted AS IS sticker, then it is yours, However I do believe PA also has a 48 hr. return. Not sure of NJ laws.

 

[waskly]

He bought it in NJ, Pa law says let the buyer beware, if you buy with a posted AS IS sticker, then it is yours, However I do believe PA also has a 48 hr. return. Not sure of NJ laws.

the vehicle still has to be certified to pass state inspection. when i purchased a car in nj as is from a dealer, it failed nys inspection the dealer fixed the car where it was purchased.

the fact it is sold as is, does not mean as is.

certain things like engine, trans, drivetrain have a warrenty and the seller is responsible for since the person buying a car has no knowledge of it.

the fact it had a trans problem not disclosed makes it a lemon! lemon law go back to the dealer and start looking up lemon law.

Situation #2: When No Manufacturer's Warranty Exists

If you do not have a manufacturer's warranty of any kind you may be entitled to compensation for violations of consumer protection laws that fall outside of the lemon laws. The following is a list of some of the problems and/or issues which may be present in your vehicle.

* Prior history of mechanical problems known to the seller: Laundered Lemon.
* Previously salvaged or wrecked.
* Fraudulently rolled back odometer.
* Rental car, police car, taxi, or similar.
* Stolen, stripped and rebuilt.
* Involved in a flood.

Lemon Laws vary from state to state, so accurate information on the scope and restrictions of Lemon Laws in a particular state should be obtained from an attorney practicing in that state.

he has a lemon the selling dealer is responsible for it.

if he bought it from a person then he is sol, from a dealership he has rights.

 

[B4CTROOPER]

I bought the truck from a NJ dealer in NY state (total scam). Anyway, I'll prob be stuck with it, but I need to fix the trans issue so it's at least drivable. Any ideas?

 

[waskly]

I bought the truck from a NJ dealer in NY state (total scam). Anyway, I'll prob be stuck with it, but I need to fix the trans issue so it's at least drivable. Any ideas?

its band/drum or the servos on the side, solenoid body will also do this.

all except the solenoid body the trans has to come out. servos can be done in car, but they become a pita also not fun.

 

[B4CTROOPER]

its band/drum or the servos on the side, solenoid body will also do this.

all except the solenoid body the trans has to come out. servos can be done in car, but they become a pita also not fun.

Well, I tried to tighten the band, and after 2 turns, it did get tighter. I think the band is most likely ok. Any ideas on how to test the servo or the solenoids?

 

[mr2fix2it]

you probably have a broken servo piston it common on these transmissions.It broke because the piston bore is worn. The transmission will have to come out to be repaired. The piston bore has to be sleeved to repair its the same problem for 2nd and 5th gear.

 

[PopRichie77]

This has nothing to do directly with your problem, the guys talking about lemon laws should Google, NY State used car lemon laws, which is where he registered the truck.

 

[PopRichie77]

Click on this link its a pdf of your transmission ---- ------ Dead Link Removed