Weird Tranny Issue

[typhoon43]

97 Explorer XLT, 4.0 SOHC, 5 Speed Auto

Just got a brand new tranny from Ford installed about a month ago. I was having issues with the OD light flashing sometimes, and when it was flashing, the shifts were a lot harder, and very sporadic (like the TC was locking up in 2nd every once in a while, and it hated to downshift) Well the OD light has been constantly flashing for 3 weeks, my shifts are hard, and way out of spec (on the low end). As of 2 weeks ago, my trip odometer and my main odometer have stopped moving, yet my speedo works.. Say whu? I thought they were all on the VSS (which I even replaced on the new tranny 3 days after I got it to try and fic the OD light issue)? Am I missing something?

I haven't had a chance to bring it o my mechanic, but he said he spoke to Ford and "supposedly" there are 2 versions of the 5 speed tranny and one doesn't have Overdrive, so you have to splice a wire together to get the computer to shift properly. Sounds like a crock of crap to me. Anyone else heard of this?

 

[Opera House]

There are two versions of the 5R55E transmission. What he said is only the very early versions have an additional transmission speed sensor in the overdrive section of the transmission. This is used only to detect clutch problems. Functionally the transmissions are the same. When the transmission is replaced by a later unit, the two sensor wires are connected together. If the speed is correct and cruise control still works, this is a random failure of the speedometer.

 

[typhoon43]

Well I know he didn't connect the two sensor wires yet, so would that explain the erraticly low shift points and my flashing O/D light? I still find it very hard to believe that my Odometer & Speedometer dropping out are just random failures after the issues I've had with this tranny. It's been like this for a month now. Do you think it's done any real damage to my new tranny? I always heard hard shifts were actually better for a tranny since the line pressure was increased and there was less slippage.

 

[97BlackX5.0]

i would take it back to ford and make them diagnose it if you just bought a brand new tranny and this is happening.... did they install it too ? they should be able to plug it in and get a code out of it if the od drive light is flashing.

 

[typhoon43]

the tranny was purchased from Ford directly, and installed by my mechanic (MUCH cheaper than Ford's 70/HR). I'd like to check the code though. That would help. Ford have any free diagnostic programs for the laptop? I know I use to use Diacom on my Typhoon with the ALDL port. Just made a cable for it.