Transmission/Over Drive Issue

[captinks]

Hi everyone!

I have a 2005 v6 4L Automatic with the 5r44e transmission.

So the other day I was driving up a big hill, I noticed that my RPMs were a little high for the speed I was going. Once the hill got steeper my OD light started flashing and RPMs kept going up while losing speed. They got up to about 4k before the engine died and it was spewing transmission fluid from what looked like a vent hose near the transmission. Can't remember if the engine died or if I turned it off but when I turned it back on it could start but when I put it in drive the engine would die. I got it towed home and topped it off with a little bit of ATF thinking maybe it just overheated and gave it a jump because I left my lights on (oops). It seemed to be working ok until I got on the highway and the OD light started blinking again so I went straight to AutoZone to use their code reader. No codes at all. got a little lesson on how to use overdrive from the worker. Drove to work and then home and haven't had it blink yet, but it smells like burning something nasty. Also, my radio won't turn on probably unrelated but I checked all the fuses and they are fine. I know I'm overdue for an oil change but would that affect this?

Thanks in advance

 

[Shran]

Welcome to the forum. How many miles are on it? Have you kept up with maintenance/fluid changes/filter changes on the transmission? Is the fluid brown/clear/black and burnt smelling or is it nice and pink?

Really hard to say if there is any permanent damage. If it's got a lot of miles on it or the fluid hasn't been changed on a regular basis then I would be saving up for a rebuild.

 

[pentode]

Since I live in Canada, I have very little experience with autozone- I'm just wondering if they used a scanner that can properly talk to the 5r44. As in, does "no codes" really mean "no codes". I don't suppose you have any idea what kind of scanner they used?

Do what Shran said and look at - and smell - your trans fluid. The only thing I would add is if the fluid is dark and burned, I'd spend the 20 bucks (twice) and drop and replace the fluid a couple times. Might be that the transmission is on the way out but you also might be able to nurse it along for a good long while.

Also, radio unrelated, oil change unrelated - but do the oil change unless you're planning to scrap the truck.

 

[Broosedamoose]

Autozone scanners can't read transmission codes. At least the two near me can't. Been there, done that. I now have FORScan and can read my own codes. But it sounds like you transmission overheated for some reason or another. If the O/D light was flashing then there should be codes stored. Finding out what they are will tell you what went wrong. You can invest in a decent code reader, get FORScan (free) and an interface or go to your local mechanic and throw him $20 to tell you what they are.