Rebuilt 4R44E VB & Replace all solenoids - Still no O/D or Reverse

[Seivad17]

I purchased a rebuilt VB w/ all solenoids and installed it. It fixed my 2-3 issue, but I still have no reverse or O/D. If i put it in "R" I feel it engage with a firm "bump" and has very little to no pull, but will roll slightly if I'm on a level surface. Same thing with drive - a firm "bump" when placed in "D". After I'm in "D" and I turn O/D off, I get a harder "bump" and I'm ready to go. After I get into 3rd I can turn O/D back on and drive fine until I drop below 30 -40MPH. If I am on a slant and can get the truck (99 ranger) to roll in reverse to about 5-10MPH, I get reverse back and have travled uphill in reverse to 20MPH but once I stop, its gone again. Any Help would be appreciated and Thanks for all the help given already.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Was this VB tested prior to installation by the original seller? Was the DTR replaced lately? The newer design is digital while the older one is analog. They fit the same way but are not interchangeable electrically. Did you check the internal wiring harness for any problems? Do you have manual 1st gear (gear selector in 1)?

 

[Glacier991]

well we know the gaskets are good, you used new ones or an upgraded sep plate, right ? Asuming you did, we need to try and figure this one out....

What do you get in EVERY shifter position? R, D OD, 1 and 2 ? I am trying here to see if there are failures in gears that share certain components. In these situations always look for one way clutch (sprag) failures. They show in certain gears.

 

[Seivad17]

The VB was tested by the seller. The DRT has not been replaced. I only checked the harness for visual problems, not with a multimeter. I did use new gaskets. I'm not sure about the sep plate. Here is what I get in every shifter position.

R- firm bump & slight pull
D w/ OD on - firm bump & very slight pull
D w/ OD off - slight to hard bump - dependent on engine speed at time of
disengagement of O/D. High idle or slight rev. = hard bump,
low idle = very soft bump. Normal operation
2- slight bump - normal operation
1- slight bump - normal operation

If it helps, here are the conditions surrounding the start of this problem. I was having 2-3 flare issues, I added 2 bottles of Lucas Transmission fix over a period of 2 months. Trans fluid level was very high, I partially drained it. added fluid to bring the level up 1/3 from the bottom of the "do not add" crossmarks. started slipping out while changing at any gear at random. after a week driving I filled the level to top of "do not add" crossmarks. continued to slip - I would have to let off the gas for it to engage after slipping. 2 -3 weeks later it would not engage- drove it home using 1st & 2nd until I realized it worked with O/D Off. When I got home, no reverse to back into the driveway.

Is it possible that the Lucas trans fix caused damage or that the transmission became dependent on the Lucas that was depleted when drained the fluid? Should I try and add the Lucas Trans fix now?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Lucas swells seals, but has no affect on hard parts. It expands, and may cause the fluid level to appear higher than normal when the engine runs for a few minutes. The fluid will be a little lighter in color with a lot of bubbles. Do you have a transmission pressure gauge to test all of the gear ranges, and EPC pressure?

 

[Seivad17]

I do not have a transmission pressure gauge. Is it going to be necessary for me to get one??
Adding to the above, when I put it in "D" from "N" with O/D already off I get two engagement bumps (bump--bump).

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is an excellent thread on using a transmission pressure gauge: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117998

 

[Seivad17]

Will the transmission pressure gauge confirm or reject if it is a OD sprag failure?
I found a rebuilt 4r44e with a new torque converter for $450 plus shipping. It was being rebuilt when the truck got reposed. Does this sound like a deal or would I be better off doing a repair.