Urgent 5spd auto tranny code help needed.

[Robman]

Fine Ladies and Gentlemen of the explorer forums .. I am in in need of your urgent help in diagnosing my tranny issue. Recently the o/d light has begun flashing always at some point, every drive sometimes going away for awhile. The tranny seems ok even when the light is flashing although possibly shifting not quite as smoothly. I pulled the code and here it is :
"P0741 Torque converter CKT performance or stuck off "
Is this simply a pressure sensor that can easily be unbolted from the tranny and replaced ? If so where is this located on the transmission ? Any help would be appreciated as I do not want this tranny to go bad( it has worked very well for along time.. this canadian winter is taking its toll on the ex ) thanks for your time. ( 1998 4L SOHC V6, 4door, 5spd auto tranny.)

 

[Robman]

after some searching, I still havent come across another thread with "CKT" in the error .. symptoms also include : Needing alittle more brake to keep it from rolling forward at stoplights and slightly HARDER up and down shifting .. mainly at lower speeds. I Hope this helps... I'll likely do a flush and filter / battary disconnect as a first attempt after reading up a bit.

*update - disconnected the battary, o/d light still came on with the first start but has been off for the remainder of the nights driving.

 

[k-pendow]

That code is for excessive torque convertor slippage. The torque convertor clutch is not holding, could be wiring, TCC solenoid, or the torque convertor itself. This clutch is located inside the torque conv. so you cannot see it.

 

[2000StreetRod]

P0741

As k-pendow stated P0741 indicates that the PCM detected an excessive amount of torque converter clutch (TCC) slippage during normal vehicle operation. When detected, the PCM sets the diagnostic code and flashes the transmission control indicator lamp (TCIL). I believe the TCC solenoid is a variable force style (VFS) solenoid similar to the electronic pressure control (EPC) solenoid. The VFS solenoids are less reliable because of ongoing adjustments while operating. Your line pressure could be low due to a defective EPC solenoid or blown valve body gaskets. If it were my vehicle I would install new EPC and TCC solenoids, the bonded valve body separator plate as directed in the technical service bulletin, replace the reverse servo O rings with D rings, and replace the transmission filter and fluid all at the same time. If that doesn't solve your problem then the transmission will probably have to be removed, disassembled and the TCC rebuilt or replaced. 5R55E shift saga

 

[Robman]

Thankyou very much for your info fellas, Here is some new info.... While driving tonight after pulling a small trailer of firewood taking it ez ... it shifted into second and then free revved.... was close to gas station pulled in got some gas and checked the fluid. The fluid is now dark grey. I tried to limp it home with first gear and made it halfway up the hill out of town and it lost all grip.( Rescued by my lil' bro and his 08 F-150 ). If I shut the vehicle off and restart it will have enough grip to get it rolling and then shortly loses its drive after. NON of the gears work including reverse . I had disconnected the battary and it seemed to have cured the flashing o/d light(tranny code). However tonight shorty after the code issue this has happend. SO ... Obviously my torque converter is shot ? or a pressure regulating device ? ... what do you suppose this has done to the transmission ?(I heard no grinding during all of this) ... and I know this part is a stupid question but I'm not all that trany savvy(yet) .. would the t converter dying make the fluid grey that quickly ? and do you suppose with a new converter and flush it will function properly again ? dare to say it .. this sucks.
... continuing to read streetrods post .... I ll likely have some solenoids to replace aswell. Given the issue fellas what should my course of action. the above mentioned solenoids, t converter,fluid/filter ? Think I could get away with that ?

 

[k-pendow]

Lots of possiblities, I would say it needs to be taken apart to find out what all happened. And yes, if the torque convertor went all at once it is possible to burn all the fluid. I had one the other day with a noise from the convertor and fluid looked like graphite.

 

[imp]

Lots of possiblities, I would say it needs to be taken apart to find out what all happened. And yes, if the torque convertor went all at once it is possible to burn all the fluid. I had one the other day with a noise from the convertor and fluid looked like graphite.

Agreed. IMO, the torque converter is likely shot. Other possibilities exist, of course, but in any event, the whole shebang must be yanked out; with today's more complex converters, it would border on madness to rebuild/replace the transmission, and NOT replace the T.C. Matter of fact, Ford would not sell me a rebuilt trans. without a rebuilt T.C. going with it. imp

 

[Robman]

Earlier that day I was crossing a frozen creek with my head out the window and I did notice an odd noise most likely coming from the torque converter ( I was in 4x4 high, although it's AWD) My back-up explorer also has the tranny light on , lol ... god... Well looks like my beloved Explorer will be down for while. Hopefully not the count. I do the work on my vehicles myself or with instruction from my grandfather who was a mechanic most of his life. So we will see how this goes. Thanks for your input guys. Much appreciated. And graphite pretty much does describe my fluid now. ( ) ..

so more info to chew on .. Not sure if any of you had checked out my earlier thread "headlight headache " . But my highbeams seem to draw too much power and will blow a fuse. Recently one night I was driving and using the highbeams and blew the fuse, at the same moment the o/d light began flashing again(coincidense? I dunnnnoooooo). With these 2 combined problems this is sounding like it could get messy.