96 4WD Explorer 4R55E transmission problems

[Josh B]

I got it tagged, titled, and insured , took it and gased it up yesterday, drove about 60 miles, the transmission is my main concern as it's not doing well.
I had previously adjusted the linkage per the Haynes manual, a simple adjustment but it still finds R in N and D in 2 (the OD is working)

It doesn't do well at all in reverse, takes a lot of gas to get it engaged and that comes with some loud noises/rumbles, but once it gets engaged will go. I thought to find a place to rap it out in reverse a bit, see if maybe that would open anything up, but didn't find a place to do it yet. I'm certain the filter hadn't been changed the entire 220K miles, because the old one still said made in USA :/ and the pan was plenty filthy, but nothing solid large enough to feel in the goo.

Going forward it does well enough through 1st and 2nd but going into 3rd it slips and the engine races until I let off, then it goes in and through the remaining gears ok.

I need to drive it if I can even if it means trying to find another tranny, the Ranger needs an engine or a rebuild before driving it much farther, and I don't want to risk throwing a rod or something.

Any helpful ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[bobbywalter]

This thing is a Trainwreck.


Yank it and rebuild it or swap fresher powertrain

 

[Josh B]

Any way to guess what level rebuild?

 

[bobbywalter]

Couldn't say. That's why you tear it down.

 

[Josh B]

Thank you very much Bobby

 

[bobbywalter]

You may only need vb gaskets.

It's classic for that.

I have a upgraded gasket and valvebody sitting here I got for Jims truck because of harsh engagement. I never drove it with this valve body because it strobed the trans light and cel instantly. It engaged the same forward to reverse, but I never run through all the gears....I tested/ohmed out the solos and base wiring and found no faults , but we were getting ready to head out to the round up so time was out... i swapped the original back on and it was fine....save for harsh engagement..that's pan off 3 times in just a couple of hours.....so drain plugs are worth the time.

It's the nature of these abortions.

I have not sent it back yet....maybe it might work in yours.

 

[Josh B]

What would it take to know if it fits? I saw a photo of one of those plugs just recently, but not sure where it was, that would be very worthwhile to have also
I was just reading in the tech articles, 7 primary problems w/4r55e and it mentioned a slip shift 2-3 and a reverse solenoid or something, I also need to check those out.

I'm planning on going to Pickers in the morning and hopefully find a decent candidate for a transmission, they're on half price this week. I was there yesterday tho and their inventory wasn't all that impressive but I wasn't looking at transmissions

 

[bobbywalter]

A known good unit is ideal. They run 3 to 700 here depending on engine and 2wd or 4wd...

Generally just dropping the valve body will quickly let you know if it a gasket.

 

[Josh B]

Is that inside the pan, just above the filter?
I don't have a lot to look at here far as diagrams and such

 

[Dirtman]

The valve body is the big complicated looking thing with a million bolts holding it on. Yes, under the filter. I'd highly advise against removing it without learning more (not trying to insult you) but the valve body is a very complex critter with tons of tiny parts. Even the bolts holding it on need to be installed in a specific way. If you wanna fiddle with it buy the ATSG service manual for it first. They are not expensive.

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[Josh B]

Thanks Dirtman, it's on its way

I was looking at that in the breakdown diagram last night, the numbers went up to about 600, but I didn't have the list that named them

 

[Josh B]

I'm learning to drive it in a way, in reverse it will usually go easily by just letting it idle its way out. Going forward I accelerate thru 1st and 2nd rapidly(especially when getting on the highway) and take 2nd well past its threshold (around 45) then let off (to around 40) then give it another go. That allows it to shift into 3rd without slipping.
I'm thinking a backup tranny is not going to be in its future(was over at Pickers today and none were there) so I'll be hoping to prepare for a 2 or 3 day fix, if that will be possible

 

[Josh B]

Is that valve body something that can be pulled and swapped without it flying apart?

I haven't noticed much problem in forward, it cruises well at 70(in good weather) with no apparent problem, but reverse it still gripes, I had to give backing out of a driveway last week 3 tries because it was a 2 ft rise in under 10 ft.
Then night before last I went to TX side as that northern blew in, coming back headed into a strong cold 40-50mph N wind it griped so much I stopped to check the fluid in the dark, was worried that wind could blow the hood away.

Today I tried again adjusting the linkage(after finally figuring out exactly how) because I'd been starting from the wrong detent direction. It still isn't going fully back to P slot, but I haven't been out and about to see if it engages, and it's just too flat to check here near home

 

[bobbywalter]

well....yeah. i would do a drain plug.


you want me to mail this one to you?

 

[Josh B]

Yes Sir! I'll cover any costs

Did you already return the valve body?