4r55e problems

[paleghost2]

I just replaced the valve body gaskets after having some shift shudder problems. After the repair the transmission will shift sometimes. I can get it into reverse most of the time, D only after shifting down to 1st, and it will manually go into 2nd. I have not had a chance to drive it on the road yet not sure I should. I have not adjusted the bands yet thats next on my list of things to do. What else do I need to look at here? Ive seen people ask about line pressures but I dont have the tools to do it, and I dont know how to do it. Is there a how to I cant find somewhere? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[pentode]

When it actually does shift, are the shifts normal? No slipping, flares, shudders, slow shifts? My initial gut reaction was electrical, the position sensor switch or associated wiring. Did any of that get disturbed during the repair?

 

[paleghost2]

There kinda soft to normal. No lunging or jerks like it was doing before. I did not remove the gear selector. I double checked all solenoids were clipped in. I did not drive it anywhere only back and forth in my driveway, wasn't sure if I should take it on the road.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So assuming you did the gaskets and torqued the valve body correctly…

You need to purge the air out of the system. IIRC, you hold the brake and shift into each position and let it sit there for like a minute in each position and you have to do that cycle a couple times. Also check your fluid level, it will go down as you purge air.

Personally, I would have tightened the bands , replaced the reverse servo O-rings and gasket, and added a TransGo shift kit while I was at it.

I did all of that to my 92 Ranger plus a few other recommended things for the A4LD. Took about a month of driving to get rid of all the random hiccups when an air bubble would get pushed out then it was game on right up until I got hit.

 

[paleghost2]

I believe everything is in and torqued correctly.

I went out this morning and ran it through the gears while sitting, and now have a vibration in P and N. It gets even worse in D, 2, 1. Shifts are still delayed.

Planning to adjust the bands just want to test one thing at a time. Didnt know that was needed. Almost at 170k on original trans, didnt want to dump any more money into it.

Codes: P0455, P0171, P0174
These codes have been there for prbbly 10 years or more. I cant figure it out and 3 different shops have looked at it over the years and cant figure it out either.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Not sure what to tell you on the vibration.

Only two bands are adjustable on these, both are externally accessible, you need an inch/lb torque wrench and either a splined socket or ideally a tap socket and a wrench. The end of the adjustment bolts are square, hence the tap socket (for turning thread taps). There is a specific procedure. The 1st/reverse band is applied by hydraulic pressure through the reverse servo. Usually if you’re getting hesitation going into reverse or poor reverse it’s a sign the o-rings or gasket are leaking. Usually reverse stops working before you lose first.

My 92 had something like 160k or so when I did the trans work. After I did all the stuff and got all the air purged, it would light up the back tires from a stop with a limited slip rear if you hit the gas too hard. Definitely a surprise.

Unfortunately a lot of shops have become little more than parts changers anymore. A lot of people have either forgotten how to diagnose things, or just don’t want to be bothered doing proper diagnostics. On the flip side, a lot of people bringing mechanics vehicles don’t want to pay for the time needed for some diagnostics. It’s a vicious circle.