Interesting Trans or O/D Light problem

[mbryda]

Hello again...
Last night I was driving around when all of a sudden the dreaded OD light started blinking. The trans started shifting really hard and was definitely NOT right. So, I pulled over, stopped the truck and started it again. No OD light and she was shifting fine. Did some more running and had to get on the highway - no sweat - hit the gas, the trans downshifted and away we go. But, it would not upshift under throttle - 6k RPM came and went (didn't know the tach went past it and next thing I'm bouncing off the rev limiter. Ease off the gas and she shifted, but with a lot of confusion and the OD light started flashing.
Got home, checked the fliud, nice and pink and without a burnt smell. Right level, etc.
Now I'm puzzled - the OD light is off, but I'm afraid I'm going to be doing a LOT of damage by driving it like this, so the truck will sit until I find a good trans shop (Anyone know one in the Harrisburg, PA area?) or get an appointment at the Ford dealer.
Is there a way I can pull the codes myself? I've seen scanners for ~$50 at the auto parts store that I thought did OBD2, but since this is a trans part, is that a different computer? I'm thinking it's definitely electrical, as it's not like the trans is slipping or anything like that - it's as if it doesn't know how/when to shift.
Has this/something like this happened to anyone else, and what was your problem? (Just curious so I can get an estimate of costs and such)
Thanks in advance for any and all insights - it will all help when I attempt to tackle this Friday...

-Matt

PS: Have a good Tahnksgiving!

 

[TPLYNCH]

What year is your Ex?

 

[mbryda]

Got the bad news yesterday...

Actually found a trans shop that would take a look at it yesterday. Brought it in and aftyer talking with the guy about what it was doing, he said it sounded like something electrical....

Then got the fateful call - the trans checked out fine electrically, but the computer was/is throwing gear ratio errors in 2nd and 5th. So the trans has to come out to figure out why it's slipping in those gears. Worst case is a rebuild for $1800, best case is something internal is causing the trans to loose line pressure in those gears.

Needless to say it was not the news I wanted to hear at this time Not sure why/how yet - they are estimating around 3 days (Wed-Thurs) to figure out what's going on. The only good thing is the place offers a 3/36 warranty on their work, so I trust that they will do good work.

It just upsets me - I don't tow with the truck, change the fluid every 30k (now has 59k - it's an '00), etc. The wife thinks it's the way I drive (heavy foot), but I doubt it - almost sounds like the pump is not putting out enough pressure or some seal let go.

It just sucks - the truck was running and shifting GREAT and all of a sudden I need a possible trans rebuild... Nice Christmas present!

 

[Opera House]

It's the overdrive gear

that is used in 2nd and 5th. I assume this is a 97 or later 5R55E. So did they tell you they found any metal in the pan? Then maybe you have a heavy foot. Then again, the more an A4LD changes, the more it stays the same. Sure wish they would solve the overdrive problems in these transmissions. I drive like an old lady, hardly ever tow anything, and my overdrive has gone out twice by snapping metal.

 

[tmsoko]

Sounds very similar to the porblem I had with my 5r55e in my Ranger.

I used to have a 4L / 5R55E trans. At 52K miles, the trans started to shift hard and seem to mis 2nd gear. The O/D light also started flashing. I checked into it and it seems as though the gasket between the separator plate and the valve body has a tendancy for blowing out.

I actually took the oportunity to swap in a V8 and 4R70W, but I did eventually go back to the trans and pull it apart. Sur enough, the gasket was torn exactly where they said it would be. You may want to try this before having them pull your trans. This is a 2 hour job with the trans in the truck.

If interested, I still have the trans - $250+shipping and it is yours.

 

[Opera House]

tmsoko, interesting comment

I dropped my pan on my 97 5R55E to change the filter. For some reason, I decided to check the bolts on the valve body. They were all really loose. I know that they are supposed to be only torqued to about 8 ft-lb. That could have been my fate if I had waited. Some others had posted that the gaskets around the low reverse servo had also blown out on the 5R55E. This might be a more common problem than we all think.

If you are anywhere near, I'll drive by and take that transmission!

 

[tmsoko]

It is a fairly common failure, from what I had found out during my research on the problem.

I guess I need to update my profile. I live in Plymouth, MI. Not too close, but??? I am willing to ship, but would probalby be ~$100. I do make it down to Columbus every now and again, and usually take my wife to the Jeffersonville shops. Send me an email and I will let you know when we will be there next. It should be around Christmas time.

Todd
tmsoko@comcast.net

 

[mbryda]

It's an '00 XLT...

Not sure if they found metal in the pan - I doubt it - I pulled the dipstick and the fluid looked pink and didn't smell burnt at all.

OD seemed fine - it didn't feel like it was slipping at all - at 80 I was pushing around 3k RPMS with 4.10's and that's where it always has been.

The truck was driving perfectly the last couple days - even after "resetting" the computer by cycling the light.

I think I'll call the trans shop tomorrow and see what they think about the gasket thing and see if there's any metal in the pan.

I did have the gasket replaced under warranty, as the truck had no engine braking in first gear, although I checked that and it was braking in 1st.

The tech did tell me there was a loss of line pressure that was causing it to slip, so maybe there is some truth to the the gasket thing. At the time he was telling this to me, I was driving down the highway and trying to keep an eye on the road and trying to keep from crying with the amount of the repair.

 

[ALYZ1FLR]

Gasket.

I,ve changed 5 of these gaskets in the llast year for friends and they all had similar symptoms and the trans shop all said overhaul. Only one of them had mechanical problems. You can check line pressure in all gears yourself if your up to it. Just to make sure your Mech. is honest. I,m sure Opra House could talk you thru it.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Updates

There are several updates to the 5R55E valve body and gaskets including the 'no 1st gear' problem.

When you experience missing gears with one of these transmissions you should go to the dealer first - then a 3rd party shop.

A 3rd party shop may not know about Ford's engineering changes that were made to fix these problems.

Worse yet, a 3rd party shop makes it's money by selling rebuilt transmissions so they won't be too motivated to really figure out what's wrong.

My 2 cents...

 

[mbryda]

I think this guy is being honest with me - at first he thought it was elecrtical, as it was shifting fine, and the symptoms I explained to him sounded like electrical. And it's a local shop vs a Aamco or someone like that who would rather just replace the trans. And the mechanics are AATRA (or something like that) certified, so I'd hope they know what they are doing.

I did have the gaskets replaced under warranty for a no 1st problem, so I'm going to mention that to them - maybe they will look there first and that's going to be the whole problem. It's not missing grars - it just never even tried to shift under hard throttle - no slipping or any indication that the gear was trying to shift - just held in first until the rev limiter kicked in.

Not sure what they did other than do a scan of the computer and a road test - they were only working 1/2 a day on Friday (don't blame them) and he said they would have a better picture on Mon. or Tues after they looked at it more.

They don't install rebuilt transmissions - he said they do all their rebuilds in house and that they won't know exactly what's going on until they open it up. But, I'm hoping by telling them about the gasket problem under warranty they will look there first (at least I hope so) - they have been good and straightforward with me through all this so far, so I do trust them.

We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Best of Luck

It sounds like they are honest.

To concede a little, there are many Ford dealerships that are less than honest - less skilled - that jump at the chance to sell a complete transmission assembly rather than implement a known fix.

Good luck with your repair.

Jon

 

[mbryda]

Thanks! I think I may need it.

It sure seems like they are one of the more reputable shops - they have been in business for something like 20 years so I think they are doing something right. Not to mention the fact that they offered a 3/36 warranty on a transmission rebuild (if it needed it) that seems to be relatively unheard of.

 

[Jon_Herr]

Warranty

3/36 is unheard of - 12/12 is the norm.

Let me know how everything turns out!

Jon

 

[Opera House]

This has got me thinking

Just a 15 minute drive away is a major (transtarindustries.com) parts depot that I can get instantly the part I need. Problem is, there are times that I am out of town for a couple weeks where the only parts source is by mailorder. Hate to be held up or hostage just because I needed valve body gaskets. With these recent tales, I'm thinking of sealing some up some gaskets in plastic just in case and storing them in the car. Now, if only I can find a flat spot behind some plastic trim. With the remote filter to pump out fluid, this wouldn't be too messy or hard to do in a driveway somewhere.

 

[Jon_Herr]

More than just gaskets

Theres a separator plate update related to another problem - and gaskets get updated from time to time.

For a die-hard do it yourselfer it's a good idea to go to dealer to obtain a parts list for updated components before buying old tech from a parts distributor.

For instance - the '98 explorer has a TSB related to power steering noise. The TSB to fix it includes a new power steering hose and a bracket to secure the exhaust system at the bell housing.

Using the power steering hose as an example, a parts distributor may have a hose that works but they most likely will NOT have a hose that doesn't make noise.

The valve body gaskets and separator plates have been changed in some applications. You should check w/ the dealer then decide. For the '98 they replace the separator plate and gasket to solve a whistling noise and no first gear.