New and have a few questions...

[firebug26]

Please bare with me, for I am just a girl that doesn't know much about engine stuff. But I have a few questions. I have a used 02 XLT 4.0L that I have owned since 07. In June of 09, my transmission went out. Took it to a really bad shop and they charged me over $3K to rebuild my transmission. Not even 6 months later, it started acting up again. Took it back to the place cause I had a warranty. They said it was an "electrical part" and their warranty didn't cover it. After spending another $600+ I have not had any issues until recently. The O/D OFF light started blinking wildly, and the truck takes a minute to go into reverse then jerks hard when it finally does so. The reverse problem happens every time, but O/D OFF light only periodically. Service engine light has been on, so took it to a shop to get the code read. Don't remember the exact code, but could get it if needed, but know it said shift solenoid or solenoid shifter...can anyone tell me what is going on, so I don't get overcharged and ran through the ringer?

 

[Joe Dirt]

I would call and get the code number, and post it up here, might give some good info on where to go next. Sounds like the first trans shop took you twice though... I wouldn't go back to them for repairs... :thumbdwn:

 

[jrford]

same thing as Joe said. . add some other ideas. .. .

First time in do you have the original receipts? Can you tell us what was replaced in each trip? What kinda of warranty do they provide with a rebuild?

First trip sounds like they did a basic rebuild (poor at best) just hard parts, that receipt might tell if something broke. . .but $3k seems a little pricey, Birmingham AL (that's not Michigan is it?). Good side at least the wear items should have been replaced.

Second time what does the receipt say? $600 sounds like a solenoid block might be called a shift solenoid that would be electrical, which you have to pull the pan for, but the part is like $200 or so. Not sure how other shops treat it.

Third problem - hummm - find those receipts, if they did replace the solenoid block might there be a warranty? Or was it the Valvebody?

Now it almost sounds like those Servo Bores, which the first shop 'should' have fixed in the first visit.

 

[jeffjr]

I had a problem w/ my 02 explorer about a yr ago , it was some kind of sensor in the transmission. My truck did not want to shift into gear. I cost me like $150 to get fixed.

 

[albertobarnett@y]

I took my truck to get a state inspection and they found the hood release cable was broken. Any idea where I can get one on these items?

 

[firebug26]

The first visit notes were a little brief. Says: Custom O/H Transmission with a 12 month/ 12,000 mile warranty. !00% parts and labor on transmission and torque converter. Note: No warranty on electronics. Total price was $2991.24 (they gave me a $100 discount for being a student. How generous....) Then tacked on a $495 storage fee (truck had to sit a while till I could fully pay them off, and being a full time student, that took a while!)
This all took place in Atlanta, GA where I was going to college.
Second visit notes are as follows: Install complete solenoid block. This cost not covered in original repair. Parts and Labor. Install calve body to achieve third gear. Total price $617.00
I know I got taken hard...filed a complaint with BBB but no luck. But I have learned my lesson the hard way.
I will go get the code hopefully tonight. Although, I cleaned my throttle body real well and that seems to have helped with the rough idle I was getting and the hard shift into reverse is not quite as bad. Also dumped some fuel injector cleaner into my tank. Seems to have helped with the rough idle a little more. I am flushing my radiator tonight, just for maintenance. I just hit 140,000 miles and my truck sat for 6 months straight. Actually quite proud of myself for doing the work on my own
Thank god for whoever invented webcams! Dad has been walking me through everything via Skype over 800 miles away!!!

 

[firebug26]

Went and got the codes. There were 3
P1717: Shift solenoid number 4 failure
P0765: Shift solenoid circuit condition
P0306: Cylinder misfire detected- cylinder number 6

Can anyone point me in the right direction here? This is all greek to me!

Flushed my radiator- glad I did, cause it had rust in it and the fluid was very discolored.

 

[EasyRhino]

Went and got the codes. There were 3
P1717: Shift solenoid number 4 failure
P0765: Shift solenoid circuit condition
P0306: Cylinder misfire detected- cylinder number 6

Can anyone point me in the right direction here? This is all greek to me!

Flushed my radiator- glad I did, cause it had rust in it and the fluid was very discolored.

Okay, a little information (re: dangerous):

P0306 is a separate issue from the tranny - you likely have a bad coil wire or coil pack (I don't know your engine), so work on that separately. This is not a level 1 issue, and can be lived with for a while (but good to get it fixed for emissions, gas mileage, and power, etc.).

P1717 and P0765 both would tell me that the shift solenoid is bad; however, your post indicates that it was recently replaced. If the codes now are the same codes that locked in prior to your replacement, and a new solenoid block was installed, then I would look first at the wiring to the tranny solenoid block for continuity/opens.