5r55e from bad to worse

[azexploder]

I picked up a 2003 4.0l 2wd for a hobby project. She was not running and had leaking freeze plugs. Got her going and then she started throwing a TCC Not locking code.

Since she was not my daily driver, I ordered a 5R55E 2WD Solenoid Kit Filter Set Shift TCC, new gaskets, Superior K4R5R55E Shift Correction Package, and 4 gallons of Merc V.

I did not pull all the valves.. just the parts the kit replaced. Kit goes on - used the sonnex assembly guide, VB goes in, pump her full of TF, and now.....

I have GO.. no park, no neutral.. just 5 phases of GO after the truck starts up..

What should I check when I pull the pan and VC off .. again.. ??

 

[Dirtman]

That sounds more like you put the shift cable, range sensor, or the selector shaft back on wrong.

 

[azexploder]

Thanks for the reply. I only removed the heat shield and the pan.. did not fiddle with anything else. It does not feel right so I may make some adjustments anyway.
I will look at what the range sensor and selector shaft are and their proper orientation.

 

[MikeG]

Does it actually shift into overdrive? If it does, do the engine RPMs stay constant if the speedo stays constant, even if you blip the throttle a bit? That's how I knew mine was finally going out, little changes in the throttle would affect the tach, but not the speedo. Anyway close to 300K miles so not unexpected.....

I replaced the VB on mine a few years ago, had some debris in it, but ultimately ended up having to rebuild the entire thing, anyway. Could be enough loose crud in the fluid to sabotage anything you do with the VB, solenoids, etc. Hope that's not the case but.....

 

[azexploder]

Before my first ever attempt at delving into the mystery of the Transmission.. the truck ran normally - for about 20-30 min. Then would go into blinking OD and 1st-2nd shifts were harsh. That would go away after restarting.

 

[cbxer55]

Does it actually shift into overdrive? If it does, do the engine RPMs stay constant if the speedo stays constant, even if you blip the throttle a bit? That's how I knew mine was finally going out, little changes in the throttle would affect the tach, but not the speedo. Anyway close to 300K miles so not unexpected.....

I replaced the VB on mine a few years ago, had some debris in it, but ultimately ended up having to rebuild the entire thing, anyway. Could be enough loose crud in the fluid to sabotage anything you do with the VB, solenoids, etc. Hope that's not the case but.....

That's the torque converter lockup clutch. The one in my Mustang started giving me a blinking OD OFF light last May. The code was P0741, Torque Converter Clutch Locked Off. And you are correct, over-active tachometer. Did a fluid and filter change and changed the solenoid. Seemed to fix it for about nine months. Then, two Saturdays ago, drove it to work. Got to work alright. As I was backing into a slight downhill spot, I noticed the vehicle wasn't responding to throttle any longer. Went into work and didn't think too much about it. Got off to go home, started it and warmed it a bit, put it in Drive, NOTHING. Nothing in any gear. But the Park pawl still locks and unlocks. So it's not the cable. Got it towed to a friend's shop. We both think the torque converter went out because the engine is idling too high, as if it's missing a load. Normal start up idle is around 1000 rpm. Normal idle is 700 rpm. Currently it starts up around 1500 rpm, and idles around 900 rpm. So it's like it lost a load.

My Mustang, the clutch used to lock up in both 4th and fifth gear. And even when the OD OFF light was blinking, I could see by the tach it was still locking up in 4th, just not 5th. Weird. My Ranger has a 4R44. I can tell by hearing (doesn't have a tach), that it locks up in both 3rd and 4th. I have a loud enough exhaust, I can hear it when it locks up. Rpms drop slightly when the lockup occurs.

 

[MikeG]

Sounds like it, or pump went out. Can't hear it trying to shift at all as you pull the lever through the gears?

 

[azexploder]

Little Foot tach was normal. I watched for that specific issue after reading all I could on the P0741. I should have just stuck to the solenoid and fluid change.

 

[cbxer55]

Nope. Nothing. NADA. Can push the vehicle in all gears except Park.

Anyhow, I drive all my vehicles around town with the OD OFF. I only let them shift into OD at speeds north of 55 mph. Even my Lightning, with a 4R100, the clutch locks up in 3rd. I can see it on the tach when it happens.

 

[MikeG]

Over my pay grade for sure. Good luck.......

 

[azexploder]

As I move the shift lever - I can feel it dis/engage each stop.

 

[cbxer55]

Little Foot tach was normal. I watched for that specific issue after reading all I could on the P0741. I should have just stuck to the solenoid and fluid change.

The solenoid and fluid change worked on mine for nine months. The Saturday the trans failed, the OD OFF light was blinking again as I was trying to back it into a spot. Unfortunately, trans codes don't stay like OBD II codes. As soon as you shut the vehicle off, they go bye-bye.

 

[cbxer55]

As I move the shift lever - I can feel it dis/engage each stop.

The floor shifter in my Mustang feels normal. But nothing happens when it's moved.

 

[cbxer55]

Anyway, when the car broke down, it was on an Air Force Base. PITA getting it towed off base. Only one tow company here that does so, and only one driver at that company. Took a lot of phone calls to find that out. Finally got it to my Friend Rick's shop, ACE Transmissions in Midwest City OK. Told him not to put it in front of the other vehicles already there, even though we're friends. So it'll get done when it gets done. I have five vehicles, a lot of the other vehicles may be the only ride that person has.

I'll let you all know what the problem was when I find out.

 

[azexploder]

Rebuilt VB installed, Runs/shifts excellent - right up to the TCC lockup fail/flashing OD. Attached is the FORScan leading up to and including the fail. Any hints for you FORScan guys?