No 2nd Gear, No Overdrive, Code P1762

[NickSD]

Just completed a rebuild of the 5R55E trans in my '98 Explorer. It's essentially stock plus Alto frictions and a Transgo shift kit. The rebuild was done because the forward clutch had been slipping badly. Turns out the brass sealing rings had worn out and the pressure loss smoked the frictions in the forward clutch.

Anyway, the rebuild seemed to go well and there's no leaks or strange noises.
But there's no second gear and no overdrive .

I have readjusted the front band and it seems fine. So that tells me the band is intact and the lever, struts, and other pieces are in place.

I checked the resistance on the shift solenoids and they were all just under 30 ohms.

The valve in the VB associated with SS-3 is free in the bore and oriented the right direction.

There's no chunks or other debris in the pan.

I would like to check the overdrive servo but I can't seem to get it out of the case. Yes, the snap ring is off. Any ideas?

I am thinking of replacing SS-3 and SS-4, which I understand could be the culprits based on code 1762. Although the resistance is fine, maybe one of them is stuck.

Any other ideas? Besides the servo, are there any other sealing rings that could be leaking (or missing, if I blew it) that would cause these symptoms?

 

[JK080]

If you are sure about the band and servo you may want to take another look inside the valve body, there are a couple of things that I know of that will prevent no 2nd and 5th.

Check the check ball locations, if there is one in the bath tub type pocket near the SS3 solenoid it will prevent 2nd and 5th and there is a "L" style retainer in the plug that separates the cooler limit valve and the thermostat bypass valve. If the retainer is not in the middle of the plug it will leak the oil for the front servo. Also if the stepped plug behind the coast clutch solenoid is in backwards it wont have overdrive.

With the valve body off you can air check the servo to see if works the band.

If you are brave or have a lift you can run the vehicle up to around 50mph and turn the adjustment bolt in until the band applies and gives you 5th, this will conform that the band is capable of working. This would be a little unnerving if up on jack stands.

 

[NickSD]

Thanks for the tips. I'm finally back working on this. I have the trans out and am air testing the servos. The intermediate servo seems to move well without much air leakage. However the front servo seems to leak a bit more. The servo moves when I put air to the apply hole, but I seem to get some air coming out from the cavity where you can see the strut and the end of the servo pin. I'll check the servo pin bore for wear next.

 

[NickSD]

Well, I've tried another valvebody with all different solenoids, and I've also gone through the trans again. As of today the trans is back in and there's a little improvement but still essentially has the same problems.

There's nothing when you put it in drive and when on the road there's no second gear or overdrive. To drive the car, you just put it in 2, then back to D. It stays in first but you can get it to go to third and fourth once going fast enough. I believe the converter is locking up. The reverse and forward engagements feel great. I tried adjusting the front band from 2 turns to 1 turn out and there was no change.

The line pressures do look better but are a little high compared to the book values.

At idle the forward gears are in the 130 range and at WOT they are in the 225+ range (previously they were around 105 at idle and 135 at WOT).

Reverse is 195 at idle and over 300 at WOT. The above is using the second valvebody plus the Ford TSB kit (EPC blow-off and new separator plate with the bonded gaskets) and a new EPC solenoid. The only MIL code is still 1762. I'm starting to think it's the PCM or wiring.

Any ideas?

 

[NickSD]

Wanted to also add that I've replaced the bands and the servo pistons. I've air checked all the clutches and when you put it in 1, it does have engine braking. I air checked the overdrive servo with the VB out and it does move.

 

[NickSD]

... and there is a "L" style retainer in the plug that separates the cooler limit valve and the thermostat bypass valve. If the retainer is not in the middle of the plug it will leak the oil for the front servo...

Gonna also check this again for sure. Sonnax has a picture of how it should be and it would be easy to get that one wrong.

Also the long plug behind the SS2 solenoid would be easy to install too shallow.

 

[NickSD]

So I've gone through the VB again and didn't find any mistakes. Put it all back together and it's still the same. So at least my work is consistent ;-)

I've done a couple of searches for "1762" and it seems to be extremely common. What isn't common is folks posting an actual resolution. I have a feeling a lot of cars get sold or junked at this point. My local Craigslist typically has Exploders with trans problems on a daily basis.

Currently, I'm looking at external things like the wiring, other vehicle sensors, etc. I'm tempted to try another PCM. Does anyone know if that's a plug 'n' play deal, or will I have PATs issues?

 

[NickSD]

Still working on this. I wouldn't wish it on my enemies, lol.
I pulled the trans today and got it apart enough to air check the servos again and check the servo pins bores. Both seem OK.
So I'm leaning toward trying a rebuilt VB with the Sonnax upgrades.

 

[NickSD]

Finally fixed this!! I bought another trans off Craigslist. It was supposedly from a wreck and still in good shape. The internals looked really good so I ended up installing the valve body and the converter from that trans into my trans. The CL unit was a 4x4 trans and didn't have the OSS sensor at the rear of the case or I would have just installed that one in the truck. I was thinking about doing the 4x4 swap but will hold off for now. Anyhow very happy to have this rig on the road again!

Bottom line, the problem was likely the valve body. I would recommend getting one from Central Valve Body with the Sonnax upgrades and avoid the type of fiascos I went through.