VB causing no OD and code 0761?

[Drink]

Hey Everyone
Just joined this sight and new to the Explorer world

Ok, here are my issues, Just recently bought 98 Explorer with 155K and 5R55E tranny. Soon I lost OD operation and light often flashes after warming up. Get code 0761 repeatedly. I have read alot of your threads but nothing seems to match my questions. I have no problems with reverse, none of the 2-3 flare I keep seeing in threads. Everything is fine except for the fact it never goes into OD, and several times it has gone into "nuetral?" at freeway speeds when the gas pedal nailed too hard. I changed the C solenoid as the code implies along with the EPC solenoid last week and was no help. Fluid looked clean and did not smell burnt. No metal in pan and very little residue of any kind. Last night I was reading threads about VB gasket/seperator plate leaks,blow outs. My question is, would a blown VB gasket take out OD operation and set code 0761?? Is it time to pull the tranny and go for full rebuild or do I still have other options? Thanks, Drink

 

[dogfriend]

P0761 says look for a mechanical or hydraulic failure in Shift Solenoid 3. Since you already replaced SSC (= SS3) I think it is likely that you may have a blowout (hydraulic failure) in the VB gasket. I would go ahead and drop the VB and replace the VB gasket(s) because you can do that with the trans still in the vehicle. Look up the VB rebuild thread for photos and lots more info. I did a preemptive VB gasket change at 115k and I was surprised at how brittle the VB gaskets were.

 

[Drink]

Thanks, will probably give that a try next

 

[Drink]

Well pulled the VB today and alas the gaskets were in perfect condition. Put it all back together and no change in symtoms. I dread going to a tranny shop to be raped, but running out of options. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I considered possible bad OD switch on the steering column, but dont see how that would set a code 0761.

 

[dogfriend]

Read through some old threads by searching on "P0761". Didn't see anything obvious. Other people have replaced SSC and still had problem. Must be something else that causes the code. One suggestion from Glacier was a bad OD servo. I think it may be difficult/impossible to replace that with the trans in the truck.

You could try a "pick and pull" aka used OD switch just to satisfy your curiosity.

 

[daisyrocky]

I pulled and reinstall three different trannys with 3 new valve bodies and solenoids within 2 months time and still have that darn flashing OD light and finally toss in the towel and took it to a local tranny shop and it's running smooth ever since. Now transfer case problems is surfacing. Local shops is way way cheaper than the big national shops in my experience.

 

[Drink]

Well, finally got a fix on the OD issue, figured I would pass along the info. After replacing the SSC solenoid, EPC solenoid, and VB gaskets, all with no help. Finally pulled the tranny and took it to a local shop. It ended up being a broken OD planet. The input shaft/bearing had broken welds so the input spline just spun in the bore and could not spin the whole planet cage for OD operation. A $180 doller fix. FYI the intermediate and OD servos where fine. Thanks to everyone for your input, this is a very good sight with tons of helpfull info!

 

[dogfriend]

Thanks for reporting fix, it may help someone else in the future.