Trans Failure mode

[sstoner]

I have a 95 Exp with 125K miles. Auto/)OD/4x4. Came with second wife and uncertain service history on the tranny. Been doing alot of 4wheel low through heavy unplowed snow and 4 hi on semi snowy roads lately.

The failure is this: When I start the truck, it appears to be in drive, vehicle actually lurches upon starting as if it is in gear. Give it gas and it goes forward, and wants to go forward in all gears (including reverse, with reverse lights lit). Crawled underneath and had someone move the shifter and it sure looks like the linkage is linked up. For now the truck is pointed at a big snow bank, has no reverse and goes forward in PRND321 .........

Other than an obviously fried transmission any ideas? The fluid is a little brownish verses nice and red. And hasn't been changed inthe 25K miles I've been associated with the vehicle. Rebuild, Ford Reman, Ford New? While I am semi skilled mechanically(brakes, suspension, tuneups, ujoints - replaced stub axle and bearings in my F150 last month) I'm kinda pressed for transporation needs and time. Ideas?

Steve Stoner
95 EXP XLT
92 F150 4x4 (stuck in 4L waiting for transfer case shifter mechanism)
97 M3 (stuck in garage behind 2ft of snow

 

[Alec]

If it drives normally then it's probably a problem with the shift linkage and/or the parking pawl. Definately sounds like a minor shifting issue if otherwise it still works fine.

 

[Opera House]

Don't think it sounds real bad

The indent is part of the internal shift lever and then there is a wire link to the valve. Sounds like this link has broken. Strange thing is there is a seperate link for the parking pawl. Two links going bad is strange. Did you remove the shift cable when you checked the indent? The internal shift lever may have broken loose and it is stuck in drive.

Bad news is you will have to drop the pan in the snow to find out. Since you don't have a manual, be aware there is a roll pin that holds this shaft in place. It is located just below the shaft in the recess where the pan gasket is located and can be puled out with a wire cutter or pliars. The rest should be obvious.

 

[sstoner]

So far I haven't had a chance to drive it to see if it shifts normally or at all. Had a telephone consult with a dealer trans tech who suggested the clutches were siezed or frozen (overheated) and it was a gonner. Since this all happened when I was out of town with my brother driving the vehicle, I don't know exactly what happened.

Since it is faced into a snow bank, I gotta drag it back to go forward to drive it to test shifting. I'll do that this weekend.

Got a quote for a Ford reman tranny w/36 month warranty for $1510 (list around $2K) and a quote from an independent for $700 to install. That gives me a baseline......

 

[Opera House]

I don't think they lie

I don't think they even listen. It wouldn't matter if the if you went in and welded the clutches together. The parking pawl is not engaging and that means there is a problem in the linkage mech. I wouldn't test drive this at all! If that parking pawl somehow engages durring the test drive, there will be major damage.

 

[sstoner]

Ok, I hear what you are saying. Though I can't really visualize whats going on. Do you know where I can get a drawing of the internal linkage mechanism. I'm thinking I can remove the pan and get a look see.....Can't hardly f-it-up more than it is I suppose.

 

[Opera House]

You can look on

www.transtarindustries.com (you have to give name and email to view online) or www.aceomatic.com to view parts blowup of 5R55E. Just doing this from memory I believe there is an internal nut that holds the indent/shift lever on. On Ace (Catalog > Ford > illustration) it shows the shaft and the nut but not the lever. Not even for the A4LD. So this site only shows parts for sale. TS uses the ATSG diagram and may be better visually.

 

[sstoner]

thanks alot. I'm used to this kind of support system from my BMW affiliations...this is awesome. I'll post back after I get into it.