Revised 5R55E issues

[quasarsky]

Now that I have a better idea of whats wrong with my car (my tcase replacement took care of that noise lol)

I'd like to figure out exactly what is up with my tranny.

(rpms mean engine rpms)

At 55 mph the rpms hold steady about 1700-1800.


If I accelerate from there to 65mph they hold steady at about 2000-2100 rpms.


However, if I go 60mph the trans slips and I have about 2500rpms. The trans won't go back down to 2100 rpms until I hit EXACTLY 65mph (which puts it about 2700rpms). I also if it does it enough (don't we hate stop and go freeway traffic ) I'll get the check engine light for the code P1762 (which according to the Ford TSB is saying to do a valve body upgrade kit). EDIT I think the noise is ignition knock or detonation. Not sure if thats tranny related.

Now if I drive it again after letting it sit for awhile it will shift right and the light will go off, or if I just drive about 45mph on the regular road the light will go off from there too.

Also if the car has been running for awhile it won't shift at 50mph, it will shift at 65mph. so it holds at 2400rpms at 55mph.

Do I have any other issues besides valve body? Is it safe to drive the vehicle at 2400 rpms at 55 or 2500 rpms at 60 mph?

I will eventually send this transmission to someone on this site to take apart and replace what needs replacing (hard and soft parts) but I just want to know if its safe to drive until then. I don't have any other issues with the transmission besides this. Sometimes it won't shift until at 40mph for the rpms to drop to about 1500-1600 (it usually does it about 35mph) so I'm assuming thats valve body related too.

 

[Glacier991]

When you say the trans slips, it could also be that you are losing TCC lockup or OD engagement. While this COULD be a VB issue... I am sitting here thinking about possible PCM input issues causing this....speed sensor, etc. It is an odd problem.... but I don't think it is as simple as a slipping transmission - I think you are not engaged in some fashion when the trans is acting up. A place where the trans tester would be worth its weight in gold to rule out the PCM and inputs.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Maybe it's a combination of a VB problem, and the torque converter since it makes noise. The VB might contribute to the slippage, while the torque converter could also slip, and make noises. The clicking might be an internal transmission problem too. I was thinking that maybe a sprag, planetary, or torrington bearing could be clicking. Noises are hard to diagnose since they travel.

 

[quasarsky]

you would not BELIEVE how many ford dealerships/atra shops/regular tran shops i called today to ask how much a rotunda test would cost and if they even had one. no luck so far

 

[Glacier991]

I bet a majority of the Ford dealerships had one with no one who knew how to use it.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Rotunda Test ??? Do you mean a trans tester?? I have one at work and I do know how to use it.

Most likely the valve body gaskets are blown out and needs the service kit installed. Not recomended to drive it any more than nessesary but you do need the truck.

 

[Glacier991]

Ben let me apologize. I was not trying to diss Ford techs, if you review my posts I generally praise them. In the US, FORD seems to have abandoned fixing transmissions in favor of installing FORD remans. Every dealership has (or should have, I think it was once a required tool) the Rotunda Trans Tester [007-0085] (I have 2 and I am not even employed by FORD) and their use in appropriate cases is golden - yet when I hear time and again of folks who went to Ford with issues that begged for its use.... no one even suggested it - maybe the service writer's fault, but all too common.

In this case, it would be a sure way to see if the trans was shifting ok on it's own, disconnected from the PCM, and isolate issues.... don;t you agree ?

 

[Bent Bolt]

Oh for sure. One problem is that it has'nt been updated for years and years. In fact it won't work for much of the new vehicles now.

I do understand the differances in policy between US and Canada. And the differances in tech training as well.

As for diagnosing trans problems, I find it just as easy to use the WDS/IDS. That is the Ford scan tools which gives us much more PIDS and info than the scanners that the aftermarket can do. Using the WDS/IDS ,I can command whatever gear I like and monitor the outputs. If there is a DTC ( diagnostic Trouble Code ) is it electrical or performance ?? If electrical, run KOEO/KOER and follow pinpoint tests and/or wiring diagrams. Performance DTC's, Monitor the trans PIDS and go for a road test.

No offence taken ;0)

 

[Glacier991]

Good. On this board the majority of the owners either are driving a first gen, or something pre 2000. Increasingly we are getting questions on newer models..but yet...

What you say about the trans tester becoming outdated is quite true.... and it won't do a lot of things with newer trans that newer stuff will, like the NGS for example. I have long coveted an NGS tester but cannot justify the cost... came close a while back.... and last summer missed buying a nearby working WDS system on E-Bay for under $500, just because I was not at my computer as the final bell closed the auction.... I'd die for that capability....even an NGS without the CAN adapter is becoming a relic.... nevertheless...

As far as policy is concerned, I can and do sympathize with a service shop (FORD or otherwise) spending valuable shop time trying to figure out if a trans problem is something short of a teardown, only to be wrong.... and then add insult to the injury of those charges by doing a complete teardown... yet... I still sense a decline in the transmission savvy of the typical US Ford Tech these days...

On this site, as a moderator of this forum, (along with the able assistance of many, many good and knowledgeable folks) try and show the typical DIY'er .. well not typical, but somewhat advanced mainly.... how to do their own diagnosis and in a not surprising number of cases they end up fixing their problems (usually VB types of problems) and save a ton of $$ in the process. I also do "diaries" for folks to follow to do their own rebuilds - and learn a bunch myself as I do them.

I do hope you will stick around and offer what is clearly terrific advice along the way!


ps. I'm originally from Montana.... near the border... and Edmonton was a ways North from there !

 

[Bent Bolt]

What got me here was the article on the Frankentranny. I usually hang out at www.therangerstation.com. I am very interested in that for my Ranger!! I'll help as much as I can when I can.

I'm tired so I'll call it a night.

P.S. Montana is not THAT far away. Days drive. California is a differant story......

 

[Glacier991]

I hope to start a Frankentranny Diary in late January..... stay tuned and chime in along the way.

ps. be very curious to hear any thoughts about Kevlar as a wet friction material.

 

[quasarsky]

A Newlife Transmission & Auto (Approximately 15.5 miles.)
1000 Hazel Court
Chesapeake, VA 23325
County: Chesapeake City
Phone: (757) 228-5550
email: john_wolfington@yahoo.com
Map it! Please use the Back button on your browser to return to these search results.

does this place sound good? its listed on the atra.com site. but it doesn't have the atra certified symbol by it??

they want $35 to drop the pan and check it. i don't think thats too bad with the exhaust (can't remember its exact name) in the way, you know?

i still want to find a shop with a Schaffer Shifter first to test it (also know as rotunda tool )