noob 5R55E questions

[mdmilburn]

have a 97 sport explorer with 4x4
i could not rebuild my slipping transmission
so today i sought a potential replacement ,found a 98 4x4 same 4.0 sohc
could not verify the trans code to be the same since the door was replaced
but it only has the sensor near the top located at the rear as opposed to the 2 on top i have in this truck ,what is this forward sensor for? can it be omitted?
would i need to just have the connector jumped permanently ?
thank you for any help on this

 

[PopRichie77]

I have read that Ford had some odd trans's in the mix, your PCM is programed for the original trans. These are speed sensors that monitor internal rotating parts, they put out a varying signal. Jumping won't work. Someone else may know more about this.

 

[mdmilburn]

overdrive sensor

that's what i can figure its for ,i just bought this with a bad trans. doesn't this have a 5 speed auto?..i am not too worried about the overdrive not working

 

[Ssgt Pool]

OK. I am still looking into trannys and what is the difference. First, how do I figure out which one I have in my 2002 Explorer? Second, will the Sport Trac one fit. Third, will the electronics for my Explorer work with the SPort Trac Tranny? There are so many different ones out. 5r55e, 5r55w,5r55s. I am a Ford and Explorer fan! What where they thinking?

 

[PopRichie77]

Your 2002 is either a w or s, I forget which one came first, You didn't say what year ST. Sport Trac's have a 5R55E trans, so no your PCM will not work. Check the door sticker trans codes and do some more checking.

 

[PopRichie77]

mdmilburn, if the OD light is flashing the computer puts the trans in limp mode, increases hyd. pressure, it skips some forward gears and it will shift harsh, it is meant to get you to where it can be repaired, driving like this isn't to good.

 

[mdmilburn]

overdrive or not..

thank you , good info to consider, tomorrow i start the install of the non overdrive trans and will look for that light when i get to road testing it,i had another thought if have to i can disassemble the trans and add the hole for that sensor ,since there is a area molded for it in the case ,also i wonder if there is a fuse for the overdrive , i can disable that function

 

[gmanpaint]

O/D is an important feature of your trans. The Torque converter will not lock in 3rd gear with out O/D I believe. This will result in high temps and failure of the trans after time. I ran without O/D for a couple of months before I got it fixed and believe it is what damaged my trans.

I would only install a compatible trans with a matching ECM for it.

 

[PopRichie77]

Don't understand your last post, the 98 is a 5R55E, 5 speed auto trans. Your 97 should also be a 5 speed auto but with the extra sensor. No there is no fuse for the OD and it can't be disabled,except by turning off. As for adding the sensor it would have to be machined in the exact location and it requires the internal tone ring that is part of one of the internal parts. Better idea would be to transfer the internal parts to your case but you would have to used your internal part with the tone ring that is under the sensor. You better do some more checking cause I think you are going to have problems. I said this to the best of my knowledge, maybe I am missing something.

 

[PopRichie77]

One last thing is there a wire harness connected to that front sensor? If not then some one installed the wrong trans before you got the Sport.

 

[imp]

Guys, what we did years ago, swapping out trannies, as long as the thing fit together, it usually worked, but............

Trying to put the improper electronically-shifted trans. in a vehicle, especially with discrepancies as mentioned- (w/ or w/o certain speed sensors), is like playing with a BIG hornets' nest.

Fun, but for only a short time! Just my view! imp

 

[mdmilburn]

well..

1. there is a wire harness going to the front sensor
(does this make it a different type of overdrive setup than what is used in the 1998 as opposed to the 1997 unit?)
2. if this 1998 has no overdrive then the light should flash and throw a code if used in this truck( and if the button on the shift arm is left on to activate the O/D then i would have problems but if its left off..the PCM should read things correctly i hope)

worse comes to worse i can use this sett up until the correct trans comes along ..these are getting rare to find i have searched my area high and low

 

[PopRichie77]

5th gear is overdrive, you need the right trans or it isn't going to work.

 

[mdmilburn]

Trans almost installed

i got to that area of looking for the connector and its not there , I must of forgot that the ft. sensor was empty..all good there then ,ford must of installed the wrong unit