Help! Transmission issue? On side of road

[naiku]

A few minutes ago I pulled away from a stop light and got a fairly severe jolt through the transmission, it honestly felt like someone hit us. Engine light came on, so I pulled over, shut the engine off and looked under the hood and under the vehicle. Nothing obvious.

Got in, started the engine, went to engage reverse and there is a pretty solid thud when engaging gear. Shut off again and now trying to figure out what to do.

Edit: limped it home, it's not shifting gears, just reverse to drive. Kept it below 40mph all the way home. Forgot to add, it's a 2008, V8.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[BrianDye]

I think step one would be to have the codes read, but since you cant really drive it, you may have to find someone with a scanner that can lend it to you, or just buy one. I have one of those "Ultra-Gauges" which can read engine codes as well which is handy, but there are quite a few bluetooth modules you can order from eBay pretty cheap that pair to your phone with the matching app such as Torque, or something similar. Downside is, you'd be waiting a few days for it to ship.

 

[naiku]

Thankfully I have a couple code readers, I left the Explorer at a relatives house but am planning to head there tomorrow to read codes. Once I get those will add them to this thread.

 

[naiku]

OK, scanned for codes this morning and it is throwing only a P0770 code which is related to a solenoid. Trying to find some information now, but so far most threads I find (just searching Google) are pretty vague.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I was dealing with something similar (I still am).

It sounds like one of the 7 solenoids in your mechatronic (valve body with TCM) is stuck or bad. I ordered a rebuilt valve body with new solenids on eBay for $500 and changed it myself, about 3 hr job.

Ford sells them as a unit for $ 1,967 with TCM that you need to program with the vehicle, or you can swap your old TCM.

The solenoid itself is about $ 100 a piece but I would not bother with changing it 1 by 1.

see my post, I'll add updates soon

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436342&highlight=6r60

PS: I assume you have 6r60, 08 was a crossover year to 6r80

 

[naiku]

Thanks, will take a look at that thread later. 3 hours does not sound too bad, and while spending $500 sucks, it's also not as bad as a new transmission. Did you have instructions on swapping it out?

I assume I have ae 6r60 as well, but not sure. Is the best way to look on the door sticker? This post on another forum indicates the cutover was late 2007:

http://www.blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/23172-6r60-vs-6r80-6-speed-auto-transmission/

But, I imagine it likely comes down to the build date of the vehicle more than anything else.

 

[swshawaii]

https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRe...id=690BC802F4E8B76745FC74586EF847A0.eccvas508

 

[2000StreetRod]

symptoms?

Below is a solenoid logic diagram for the 6R60.

The P0770 definitions I found did not apply directly to the 6R60. I suggest you try different manual gear selections to determine which gears are functional.

 

[naiku]

https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRe...id=690BC802F4E8B76745FC74586EF847A0.eccvas508

That's a handy link, thanks.

6R60 it is.

 

[michael loibl]

Didn't the 6R60 come with the 4.6 V8 starting in 2006?

 

[Flag Gibby]

Yes, but it was short lived and replaced with the 6R80 in 2008 which is why it was possible for the OP to have the 60 or the 80.

 

[michael loibl]

Gotcha! I was thinking that you were saying the 60 only became available as of mid way through 2008.
Thank you for clarifying, can you tell me what was the main difference between them? I keep casually looking to add a good condition fourth GEN to the family fleet and would really like to find a V-8 with the heavy-duty tow package.

 

[naiku]

I suggest you try different manual gear selections to determine which gears are functional.

This may sound stupid, but how would I manually try selecting different gears?

can you tell me what was the main difference between them?

I am not sure of all the differences, but the one I did read about yesterday was the 6R80 was rated for a higher torque, which may be useful to you if looking for a tow vehicle.

 

[2000StreetRod]

gear selector

Use the transmission gear selector to select the manual modes: 1,2,3, etc. instead of drive.

 

[naiku]

Use the transmission gear selector to select the manual modes: 1,2,3, etc. instead of drive.

I had a feeling it was something like that, but was thinking it was more involved. Thanks.

 

[naiku]

Quick update, I tried manually shifting and it won't go into any gear. I can go from D to any other gear and nothing happens. Only going from P to R, R to N, N to D, does anything noticeable.

So do I try swapping the valve body only or go with a full rebuild?

 

[2000StreetRod]

Fuse 27?

Have you checked 20 amp Fuse 27 in the battery junction box? It provides power (at all times) to the transmission control module.

 

[steve6534]

Quick update, I tried manually shifting and it won't go into any gear. I can go from D to any other gear and nothing happens. Only going from P to R, R to N, N to D, does anything noticeable.

So do I try swapping the valve body only or go with a full rebuild?

Did you try shifting while driving or only while stopped ? If you were stopped you won't feel a difference between all of the forward gears.

 

[naiku]

Have you checked 20 amp Fuse 27 in the battery junction box? It provides power (at all times) to the transmission control module.

No, but am going to be crossing fingers and heading to where its parked tomorrow to check that fuse. If it ends up being this, which knowing my luck it won't, then I will be sending you a Christmas card.

My other vehicle decided this week as well that it wanted to join in the fun, leaked out all the steering fluid in about 1 hour of driving. Turns out it needs a new steering rack, so if I can get the Explorer back up and running cheaply I will be considerably happier than I am now.

Did you try shifting while driving or only while stopped ? If you were stopped you won't feel a difference between all of the forward gears.

You know what, I think I was driving albeit slowly, but now I am second guessing myself as I know I also checked them while stopped. Once I check the fuse tomorrow I will make sure that I am driving to check them.