Will not shift out of first..

[tango7]

I am new to this site.. I have a 95 explorer 4x4 that when you take off it will not shift out of 1st into 2nd until you let off the gas when this happens it shifts and will shift normal for the other gears.. Anyone ever have this problem... The transmission was rebuilt about 50,000 miles.. Also what trans are in the 95s..
thanks James

 

[IZwack]

Hey James,

I have zero knowledge when it comes to transmission (Glacier991 is the transmission God of this sub-forum). But anyways, first things first -- how is the fluid level of the transmission?

 

[Glacier991]

The 95's were 4R44's and 4R55's as I know. 2nd gear utilized the intermediate band to make the shift in those transmissions. You could have a bad VB gasket, a broken intermediate band, a leaky servo or some VB problems. Me ? I'd drop the pan and check for debris.... and if I found none I'd rebuild the VB and replace the gaskets. Depending on mileage I might be tempted to replace the EPC as a matter of course... just to be safe.

 

[tango7]

I just pulled the pan off and do not see any metal in the pan.. I am going to remove the valve body.. This is the first time I have worked on an auto trans. How many bolts hold the valve body on... It looks like about 10 Will springs fall out..

 

[Glacier991]

There are quite a number of bolts that hold the VB in place, and they all have to be properly torqued to inch lb settings on reinstallation. You will neeed an inch pound torque wrench on installlation- no guessing.

No springs will fall out. Before you remove the VB, read the 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary... you will learn everything you need to know to do this job. Also while it is out check the function of the SSB (or SS2) solenoid. It should have thrown a code, but it can be implicated in this problem.

Good luck.

 

[tango7]

Thanks I have an inch pound torque wrench..

 

[1karkrazyguy]

I had the exact same problem 3 weeks ago on my 96 2wd. Had to let up off the gas in 1st to get it to shift from 1-2. My transmission guy thought it was an electrical problem at first due to his using an aftermarket OBD II DTC code scanner. Used a FORD NGS scan tool and it gave us all the correct codes, P0732, incorrect gear ratio, if you get this code it means you have a mechanical problem in the transmission and DTC code P0756 SSB, shift solenoid 2 inoperative, meaning an electrical problem with the solenoid or the wiring harness, or a hydraulic problem in the valve body, the final problem, which for me turned out to be a broken band discovered when we got the P0732 DTC code and when we dropped the valve body we discovered the band hanging loose/broken.

Get the ATSG service / rebuild manual for your trannie. Get the OBD II DTC codes read from the PCM hopefully using a FORD NGS scan tool and then go from there with the ATSG diagnosis procedure in the book based on your DTC codes that are read out.

I agree with Glacier, as it sounds like it could be a couple of things, especially with a rebuild 50,000 miles ago. Was it a major rebuild with all hard parts and seals replaced? What was done exactly? Was the valve body rebuilt/replaced? Who did the work? Yourself or a large transmission chain store, or a Pep Boys or an Aamco or a small local repair shop/mechanic or a local transmission shop? How many miles total on your truck?

Take the truck to a ATRA member transmission shop that works on these FORD trannies or the local Ford dealer to get the OBD II DTC codes. Then read the ATSG manual. Pretty easy.

Glacier991 has some great advice.

Good luck.