5R55E DIED ON ME?

[6gun]

Now that my big Colorado adventure (vacation road trip) is behind me it is time to turn my attention to my 1998 Exploder setting in the yard with no go left in it. About a month before leaving on vacation, while driving to town. I stopped at a 4-way and as soon as I mashed the gas to go it just wouldn't not in any gear or transfer case range. Engine revs fine, but EX will barely move. I had it towed to the house and forgot about it till now. Since I lost my Ranger engine on the road trip, I need to get the EX back going while I swap truck engines. Any thoughts or suggestions as to what I might look at first? Fluid looks good doesn't smell burnt, allegedly the trans was a re-manufactured unit installed about 5 yrs ago. I've had the truck 3yrs with no issues whatsoever and was actually about to change the trans fluid when this happened. Any ideals/suggestions/funny remarks will be welcomed!

Edited to add pertinent info! 1998 Ford Exploder, 4.0 SOHC, 5R55E, 4WD E-shift T-case, 240K+ miles. Ran/pulled great up until the moment it didn't!

 

[Dirtman]

Is the Od light flashing or check engine light on? If so you need to pull the codes. Could be something as dumb as a blown fuse to the shift solenoids (doubt it but possible).

Usually no movement at all means fluid pressure loss. Pump failure, or major internal fluid leak. The problem is some remanufactured trans they just clean it and throw in new clutches and bands. They don't replace the pump or rebuild the valve body which are the two main failure points. 5 years on a rebuilt trans is actually sometimes a miracle if the major hard parts weren't replaced.

Get any codes from the ecu, if nothing simple found there then I'd check the fluid pressure.

 

[6gun]

No lights triggered, I'll have to track down my code reader to check that out. I can check fuses tonight(voltmeter). No ideal on the quality of rebuild, I bought it from my brother who bought it from his wife's cousin that had the trans done(?). No paperwork falls under major question to me!

 

[Dirtman]

Yea 4th hand info on a "maybe" rebuilt transmission is pretty useless lol. Electrical issues like solenoids or sensors will certainly come with accompanying codes. Hard failures unfortunately like a bad pump or valve body often don't have any codes and can only be checked with pressure testing and or physically digging into it.

 

[adsm08]

The test for a pump failure is easy. Check the fluid with the engine off, it should be over-filled. Then start the engine and check the fluid again, if it doesn't drop into the cold-fill zone the pump is not working. If it does your issue is somewhere else.

 

[6gun]

The test for a pump failure is easy. Check the fluid with the engine off, it should be over-filled. Then start the engine and check the fluid again, if it doesn't drop into the cold-fill zone the pump is not working. If it does your issue is somewhere else.

Thanks for that tip! I haven't worked on an automatic other than filter changes since the early 90's so I am going to have to brush up a little on things. Plus this being our rough time of the year leaves me very little time for messing with it. If I can convince myself to let go of the money(tightwad) I may just call my buddy and tow it to his shop. Worst cost from that will be listening to him rag me about having to fix my junk.

 

[adsm08]

Thanks for that tip! I haven't worked on an automatic other than filter changes since the early 90's so I am going to have to brush up a little on things. Plus this being our rough time of the year leaves me very little time for messing with it. If I can convince myself to let go of the money(tightwad) I may just call my buddy and tow it to his shop. Worst cost from that will be listening to him rag me about having to fix my junk.

One thing to keep in mind when doing that test, these gear pumps can give up when they get warm, and then start working again for a bit once they cool off, so make sure it doesn't go into gear before checking the fluid with the engine running.

 

[91stranger]

I know the problem and i'm surprised he hasn't came on here and mentioned it yet. The problem isn't the trans at all. It's the motor. Pull it out and drop a 2.9 in it and that will solve all your problems HAHAH

 

[6gun]

I know the problem and i'm surprised he hasn't came on here and mentioned it yet. The problem isn't the trans at all. It's the motor. Pull it out and drop a 2.9 in it and that will solve all your problems HAHAH

I'm eyeballing that new small block 460 from Ford Racing awful hard! I tried to withdraw money from the bank to buy it but the girl wouldn't quit screaming long enough to put the money in the bag! I'm trying hard to find a suitable Exploder/Mountaineer with a 5.0 to swap into my Ranger so I can take the 5R55 out of it for the Exploder. Problems with shuffling junk around!

 

[Dirtman]

Oh not you too now!