Tranny is shot - rebuild or replace?

[GeraldArrghFord]

2002 Explorer Limited V8
83,000 miles

The O/D light started flashing, then the check transmission light, then Service engine soon. It all happened this morning. No prior troubles.

The Ford dealer says I need a new tranny - $3250.00
I called a transmission place and they said $2000.00 to rebuild it.
100,000 mile warranty for $3250
12 months or 12,000 for $2000

I still owe $7500 on the vehicle. Help! What should I do?

Will either the rebuilt or replaced tranny be better than the original transmission when it was new?

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

Here's another question:

If I decide to keep the car for awhile and go with 100,000 warranty, what else "major" has a history of going on this vehicle??

Hub bearings have been replaced. Rear coil springs were replaced.

2002 Explorer Ltd. V8

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! What are the code numbers? These guys always try to push for an entire rebuild. It could be something simple like a melted wire shorting over the exhaust or something a little more complicated like an internal solenoid problem.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

Welcome to this forum! What are the code numbers? These guys always try to push for an entire rebuild. It could be something simple like a melted wire shorting over the exhaust or something a little more complicated like an internal solenoid problem.

He read the info over the phone. I didn't get the code numbers. One of them indicated "internal failure".
I think that's what he said.

 

[Thelt]

I have a 130k on my 2002 Explorer. I had to replace both rear wheel bearings and I think my transmission is starting to go. It has been a good reliable car though. If you get that tranny fixed it should do on for a long time.

Does the transmission slip or hang in gear? If it is giving no problems other than the warning on the dash I would be inclined to drive it a while longer and see if it fails or not. I got a warning message recently and it has not repeated itself, yet.....

 

[rich250]

sihave the codes checked again and post them up here,could be something very minor or it could be major but before dropping a couple grand on a tranny post the codes up here and I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction,just went through this on a coworkers 94 chevy pickup,he thought his tranny went, I put our scanner on it to find out the only problem was a bad prom,got one for $75.00 and his tranny works great again.since you still owe $7500.00 on the explorer I don't think you got much choice but to fix it without loosing your backside.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

The codes are:

P0733
P0745

Thanks.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

I have a 130k on my 2002 Explorer. I had to replace both rear wheel bearings and I think my transmission is starting to go. It has been a good reliable car though. If you get that tranny fixed it should do on for a long time.

Does the transmission slip or hang in gear? If it is giving no problems other than the warning on the dash I would be inclined to drive it a while longer and see if it fails or not. I got a warning message recently and it has not repeated itself, yet.....

I only drove it to the dealer after my wife got the warnings when she was driving.
But there's definitely a problem. It was 'taching out' on me. Revving but not shifting into 2nd, or maybe it was third. I only drove it a couple of miles to the dealer.

 

[tower]

The codes are:

P0733
P0745

Thanks.

PO733 is 5 gear incorrect gear ratio.

PO745 is a solenoid short.

I would say replace the solenoid block and change the fluid and filter.

 

[tower]

Just noticed where you live. Did you bring it to Millbury Ford? I have had nice dealings with them.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

Just noticed where you live. Did you bring it to Millbury Ford? I have had nice dealings with them.

No. The car was in Marlboro. Brought it to Wayside Ford.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

I decided to get the replacement tranny at the Ford dealer. They came down $300.00 on the price.

I talked to the transmission shop about the codes. He said if there's metal in the pan, then I'd need a rebuild or replace because, once the metal starts flying, it would be too risky to replaced just the parts based on the code info.

Also, I still owe about $7500 on it, so it's worth it to get the 3 yr. 100,000 mile warranty on the tranny as opposed to 12mo/12k from the transmission shop.

After this, no more Fords and no more SUVs for me.
Actually, it's my wifes Explorer. I've been driving Chevy Cavaliers for 10 yrs! 200,000 on the first, I have 100,000 on the 2nd. I've never had any problems with them.

Thanks for your help.

 

[jrford]

In case someone else reads this . . . but it might be too late for the OP, but i went with the rebuild, kit seemed comprehensive.

I have a Great Trans guy near me which helps a lot; he provides one estimate and doesn’t change it no matter what, also he offers a lifetime on the rebuild, so long as he still there and I’m the original owner. I paid $1600. Based on what i saw go into parts - $800, biggest items where the Planetary and Drum. Snap ring broke on the Planetary and machined out the drum.

Reman kits seem to compensate for the common problems with these 5r55w/s in the Master Rebuild Kit. Of course time will only tell.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've never heard of any shops offering a lifetime warranty regardless of mileage or of any that keep their original estimate before they even open it up. That shop sounds pretty good. How many vehicles of yours did he install transmission into?

 

[jrford]

1 trans for the Ford, 2 rebuilt xfr cases for 2 jeeps. I always get a quote before and it never changes. The second case had a bad shifter no change $650/lifetime for original owner. He is good, all ways very busy, 1-2 week wait.

I told him the code over the phone, and no third gear. $1600 drop it off. I even asked if there is any change of price if he found something major - nope.

 

[Limited02]

I just had mine rebuilt last week. Paid $1700. So far it's working much better. I had the O/D light flash a few times, extremely long pause between the 2-3 shift and it would feel like it was slipping when it shifted to 2nd when I would get on it. I have the 1 year 12,000 mile warranty but am getting the 2 year 24,000 for safety. I can get a lifetime warranty for $900 bucks, but I have to bring it in once a year for an $87 dollar fluid change.

 

[ktaulbee]

I was having the same problem. From 1st to 2nd was ok but 2nd and 3rd would over-rev before shift and then it would slip out of 5th and o/d light would flash. I bought a new solenoid from a post on this website for 100, 50 for new fluid, and 30 for a filter and gasket. I had the local ford mechanic put it in for 139. Now it's worse. He said that he has to run diagnostics now. Another 100 for that. Not sure if I should just tell him forget it and buy a rebuilt for 1600? Any thoughts would be helpful.

 

[GeraldArrghFord]

UPDATE:

The car runs and sounds so much better with the new transmission.
The engine was getting louder over the past year or so and I thought it was the 'old Ford tappage' that I've had with past Fords.
Never had any shifting problems so I never thought there was a tranny problem.

Bottom line: This was not a sudden failure and did indeed need a replacement tranny. Might have been preventable with some early maintenance.

Thanks again.

PS. I'm not letting Ford off the hook here. Still should not have tranny problems with only 83,000 miles and no towing.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!

 

[daveleeander]

UPDATE:

The car runs and sounds so much better with the new transmission.
The engine was getting louder over the past year or so and I thought it was the 'old Ford tappage' that I've had with past Fords.
Never had any shifting problems so I never thought there was a tranny problem.

Bottom line: This was not a sudden failure and did indeed need a replacement tranny. Might have been preventable with some early maintenance.

Thanks again.

PS. I'm not letting Ford off the hook here. Still should not have tranny problems with only 83,000 miles and no towing.

Did you get the tranny flushed and filter changed on time like you were supposed to?
Owners manual calls for every 30,000 miles. With Amsoil syn, you can go to about 60-80k. But these trannys need the junk flushed out of them. I have an 02 with 190k on it. Still the first tranmission. Second solenoid bank. Been flushed 4 times. Filter changed twice. I run Amsoil throughout the vehicle.
You have to take care of your car in order for it to take care of you. The tranny is the most overlooked item on a vehicle. Unfortunately by the time you know there is a problem, it is too late for PM (Preventitive Maintenance) to do you much good.

D