craftsman&design
New Member
- Joined
- October 8, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Chandler, AZ
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2000 Ford Explorer XLT
I am new to the board because I have had no problems with my Explorer until 3 weeks ago. I have tried the simple stuff and have done weeks of research, which is how I found this board, but I need more direction from people who have experienced the same problem. I will try to be as detailed as possible, but ask me questions if it will help sort this out.
PROBLEM:
She is a 2000 Explorer XLT 4.0 OHV (pushrod engine) 4WD w/ 280,000 mi.
tranny is 5r55e
I have maintained it very well, so the answer isn't something simple like fluid or filter...
While driving up hill, the tranny seemed to downshift to 3rd maybe, then the O/D light started flashing. I was in a mountainous area, so I went several more miles before I found a pull off. Once I stopped, the O/D light stopped flashing and hasn't flashed since. Nothing seemed wrong with the truck, so I tried to leave the pull off. I shifted into O/D, felt the gears engage, but she wouldn't move. I gave it more gas (~4000 rpms) and could creep forward, no reversing even at high rpms. I was able to drive in manual 2nd, but I was 75 miles from home, all highway and had my family with me late at night, so I had it towed.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
My OBDII gave me no codes after immediately after she was off the flatbed. I changed the filter and oil, including the transfer case fluid and nothing changed. In manual 2nd, I hobbled it to Aamco and got the standard answer of "we don't know, but for $2300 we will do a soft parts replacement and we're 50% sure that MIGHT work." Aamco claimed to pull codes P0500 and P1804.
So I 2nd geared it home again. Once I got home, I checked the codes again. I pulled code P0720 this time, but didn't get the codes Aamco did. P0720 is the output sensor on the tranny, so I replaced it. That has made things worse. I can still feel it shift into P R D, but now when I shift into manual 2 or 1, she violently jerks and stalls. She hasn't moved since.
REPAIR OPTIONS:
I have read as many threads as I could find about tranny problems, but I haven't found any as serious as mine. Through my research, I'm leaning towards replacing the TCC and EPC solenoids under pan. I have seen whole kits with both solenoids, all 4 shift solenoids, the valve body and bonded gasket for $130. Any opinions on that route or my guess on the TCC and EPC solenoids? I am almost positive it has to be an electronic issue and not mechanical because I can feel the tranny engage the gears. I don't think it's as simple as sensor issues either. I think any codes I was getting were symptoms of and not the actual problem. As most of you guys know, trannys get really expensive fast, so any help or advice is appreciated.
Thank you.
PROBLEM:
She is a 2000 Explorer XLT 4.0 OHV (pushrod engine) 4WD w/ 280,000 mi.
tranny is 5r55e
I have maintained it very well, so the answer isn't something simple like fluid or filter...
While driving up hill, the tranny seemed to downshift to 3rd maybe, then the O/D light started flashing. I was in a mountainous area, so I went several more miles before I found a pull off. Once I stopped, the O/D light stopped flashing and hasn't flashed since. Nothing seemed wrong with the truck, so I tried to leave the pull off. I shifted into O/D, felt the gears engage, but she wouldn't move. I gave it more gas (~4000 rpms) and could creep forward, no reversing even at high rpms. I was able to drive in manual 2nd, but I was 75 miles from home, all highway and had my family with me late at night, so I had it towed.
TROUBLESHOOTING:
My OBDII gave me no codes after immediately after she was off the flatbed. I changed the filter and oil, including the transfer case fluid and nothing changed. In manual 2nd, I hobbled it to Aamco and got the standard answer of "we don't know, but for $2300 we will do a soft parts replacement and we're 50% sure that MIGHT work." Aamco claimed to pull codes P0500 and P1804.
So I 2nd geared it home again. Once I got home, I checked the codes again. I pulled code P0720 this time, but didn't get the codes Aamco did. P0720 is the output sensor on the tranny, so I replaced it. That has made things worse. I can still feel it shift into P R D, but now when I shift into manual 2 or 1, she violently jerks and stalls. She hasn't moved since.
REPAIR OPTIONS:
I have read as many threads as I could find about tranny problems, but I haven't found any as serious as mine. Through my research, I'm leaning towards replacing the TCC and EPC solenoids under pan. I have seen whole kits with both solenoids, all 4 shift solenoids, the valve body and bonded gasket for $130. Any opinions on that route or my guess on the TCC and EPC solenoids? I am almost positive it has to be an electronic issue and not mechanical because I can feel the tranny engage the gears. I don't think it's as simple as sensor issues either. I think any codes I was getting were symptoms of and not the actual problem. As most of you guys know, trannys get really expensive fast, so any help or advice is appreciated.
Thank you.
