Need help fixing transmission hard shift issue. Solenoid Pack Questions. | Ford Explorer Forums

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Need help fixing transmission hard shift issue. Solenoid Pack Questions.

Roadblock1945

Member
Joined
June 14, 2011
Messages
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Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Explorer XLT
I need some suggestions here.

So my trans started with that hard shifting that feels like I'm being kicked in the rear end of the SUV when it shifts to a certain gear.

My over drive light is rapidly flashing.

I took it into Advance Auto and had the code pulled, it's code p0796, it was something like power control solenoid stuck of failed.

I did some looking here and found that this is a very common issue and that most people just replace the solenoid pack and it's fixed. So I took it to a shop, they want like $700.00 to do the work.

I found I can buy a Ford OEM pack for between $165~225.00 or a aftermarket one for around $139.99. I know shops make a huge profit off parts but I'm pretty strapped for cash right now. Unfortunate, I drive 100 miles a day for work so this is something I need fixed NOW. I've already drive like 3 months like this.

Is this something I should just pony up the $700.00 for or attempt myself?

I've worked on my Mitsubishi Eclipes trans before, remove the end case, pulled shafts, changed the 5th gear out to a larget one etc but I've never touched an AUTO trans.

I looked at a how to here on this forum, it LOOKS easy enough but I'm still a tad shy on the project without getting some input.

Also I wanted to ask. I checked local shops like Advance Auto because I get a 30% discount and I wanted to see how much the part was. They don't seem to sell the whole solenoid pack, they just sell the individual solenoids. The error code DID indicate which solenoid was the bad one, do I even need to replace the whole pack or can I just buy ONE and rebuild it so to speak. Or is it recommend to just do the whole pack?

One last thing, someone on another forum mentioned making sure you add the FORD trans fluid additive that Ford made to band aid fix this issue to keep the fluid from foaming.

Can someone explain this one to me?

My trans was rebuilt at 117,000, it's got about 50k more added to it now and now this failure. I wonder if it's because the shop didn't add whatever this additive was.

Same person also mentioned that the reason the pack fails is because the valve body is going out? That the solenoid pack would probably fix it for now but that sooner or later it would go out again.

Thoughts?
 



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Buy the solenoid pack from Ford. It is ~$300 from a dealer like www.tascaparts.com. It is not too tough of a job, just a bit messy and you have to have a way to pump the fluid back into the transmission through the drain plug. You need to make sure you use Mercron V.
 






Should I absolutely by the FORD OEM part? I found one that was recommended here for $139.99, it's rebuilt I think but everyone who has bought one said it worked great.

My local FORD shop wants $489.99 for the OEM one so I would probably not go locally!

That said if I can save some money that would be great but I don't want to cut corners if it's going to cause issues.

I do plan to buy FORD brand Mercon V though, I find the FORD fluids are actually cheaper at FORD then my local auto shop for non-FORD brands.

Also, I've got plenty of pumps. Even have one small electric one that will pump THICK fluids with little effort.
 






Should I absolutely by the FORD OEM part? I found one that was recommended here for $139.99, it's rebuilt I think but everyone who has bought one said it worked great.

My local FORD shop wants $489.99 for the OEM one so I would probably not go locally!

That said if I can save some money that would be great but I don't want to cut corners if it's going to cause issues.

I do plan to buy FORD brand Mercon V though, I find the FORD fluids are actually cheaper at FORD then my local auto shop for non-FORD brands.

Also, I've got plenty of pumps. Even have one small electric one that will pump THICK fluids with little effort.

I am guessing the $140 one is from 800700trans, and they are not a safe bet. You are not getting a "rebuilt" unit, that is for sure. These solenoid packs are notorious for failure; the last thing I would want to be doing is buying two or three "rebuilt" units when I could just do it right the first time. Go with someplace like Tasca, it should be just under $300 shipped.
 






I ended up buying it from some guy on eBay before I saw this. His ad claims the part is 100% FORD OEM new still sealed in the factory box, made in Germany for $220.00 shipped.

I sent him a PM before buying and he confirmed it was 100% FORD OEM and brand new in the box.

He had over 2000+ positive feedback at 100% so we will see!
 






I ended up buying it from some guy on eBay before I saw this. His ad claims the part is 100% FORD OEM new still sealed in the factory box, made in Germany for $220.00 shipped.

I sent him a PM before buying and he confirmed it was 100% FORD OEM and brand new in the box.

He had over 2000+ positive feedback at 100% so we will see!

Make sure it is the most recent version; the part number should be 9L2Z-7G391-A.
 












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