Official 4R44E Problem Thread!

[Dirtman]

5r and 4r are the same internally, just a software change so even a 5r on a 4r computer would just run without using the fake second gear though right?

 

[adsm08]

5r and 4r are the same internally, just a software change so even a 5r on a 4r computer would just run without using the fake second gear though right?

The valve body is different, and so is some of the wiring IIRC. Its enough to make it funky if you have the wrong stuff.

 

[Dirtman]

Not to derail here but any idea what exactly is different on the valve body. Cause the shift kits are the same for the 4r and 5r with the same instructions and diagrams?

My transgo kit fit both and had no seperate instructions.

 

[adsm08]

Not to derail here but any idea what exactly is different on the valve body. Cause the shift kits are the same for the 4r and 5r with the same instructions and diagrams?

My transgo kit fit both and had no seperate instructions.

View attachment 34603View attachment 34604

Nope. No idea, not even 100% sure they are different. This is a question for @Transman304

 

[Dirtman]

He always seems to pop in just in time to make us all look dumb.

 

[kennychainsaw]

I found some small metal parts in the bucket after changing my transmission filter. (see picture below) The small fragment was stuck to the magnet. The small round things do not stick to a magnet.

The fluid was practically black. A few months ago, it failed to go forward after stopping at a stop sign. I had to put into second in order to move. At this point, I bought a siphon pump and took out a quart, replaced a quart, then did the same thing the next day. It ran better and I didn't experience failure to move. Today was a day off of work, and I used it to work on the truck! To my dismay, it looks like some parts of a valve or something was left down in the pan...

the truck is a 2001 Ford Ranger, Edge. 3.0L 6cyl, Automatic transmission.

What should I do?

 

[Josh B]

I found some small metal parts in the bucket after changing my transmission filter. (see picture below) The small fragment was stuck to the magnet. The small round things do not stick to a magnet.

The fluid was practically black. A few months ago, it failed to go forward after stopping at a stop sign. I had to put into second in order to move. At this point, I bought a siphon pump and took out a quart, replaced a quart, then did the same thing the next day. It ran better and I didn't experience failure to move. Today was a day off of work, and I used it to work on the truck! To my dismay, it looks like some parts of a valve or something was left down in the pan...

the truck is a 2001 Ford Ranger, Edge. 3.0L 6cyl, Automatic transmission.

What should I do?

You had a cork gasket, those are spacers built into that gasket to keep it from getting over tightened(cork performs best at a certain thickness)
It's likely the factory gasket, they won't be found in your replacement, just be sure to get em all out of the pan.

 

[Craig0320]

Keep this thread going. Thanks to everyone for any info posted on these transmissions.

 

[kennychainsaw]

You had a cork gasket, those are spacers built into that gasket to keep it from getting over tightened(cork performs best at a certain thickness)
It's likely the factory gasket, they won't be found in your replacement, just be sure to get em all out of the pan.

awesome, thank you. I pulled the old gasket out of the trash and only 4 little spacers were missing. It seems I found them all. Time will tell if the filter change and new fluid will keep me on the road!

 

[Josh B]

awesome, thank you. I pulled the old gasket out of the trash and only 4 little spacers were missing. It seems I found them all. Time will tell if the filter change and new fluid will keep me on the road!

Good luck Kenny, I'm worrying with one myself

 

[meich75]

I have a 96 Ranger 4.0L 4x4 that has to rev high to engage transmission. It is the same for forward and reverse. Fluid smells a little burnt but is light red. Can't confirm if it was recently changed since I just bought it for cheap. Dropped the pan and the was a thin dark grey film on the magnet and pan. Can I possibly get it going with just a shift kit to fix the valve body or am I looking at a full rebuild?

 

[HAWGFORD]

I'm in this mess too. Already had 4r443 in 96 ranger 2wd rebuilt once less than 3 years agoand after not even 10k miles its undriveable because it jumps in and out of random gears at any time cold or hot and I don't really wnat to take it back to that shop for another rebuild and though they have good rep, still work is questionable when its does this so soon[miles wise] after a rebuild.Its only had a couple 5 hour one way trips. I am guessin the shift solinoids are screwed, and shop didn;t replace , to probably get me back in shop and spend more money.. NOT...I am going to switch the truck to M5ODR1 ,then figure out the 4r44e myself and have it as a spare as I have a 98 2.3 auto waiting too.. Does anybody know if the 98-2001 2.5 m5odr1 fits behind the earlier 2.3 and the earlier [93-97] truck? I think it does, but i keep gettin yes and nos and got a line on a trans..If anyone here has parts let me know i need everything for the swap pedals master slave flywheel clutch [driveshaft??] etc TIA get me at hawgford@windstream.net

 

[LilRedVelvet]

I have a 2000 Ranger but Automatic, and a 1992 Ranger with 5 speed and 4x4. Located in Philadelphia. 1992 trans has under 100k miles and did its job well. Off for its second life.

 

[Fredness]

I got a 4R44E issue for you...

Ballooned torque converter.
Looks like I'm going to be opening it up sooner than I wanted.

2001 2.5L 172,000 mile Minnesota work truck, clapped out rust bucket purchased at auction ($300) for the driveline.
Appears to be all original except the exhaust. Someone used coathangers to create a mount to hang a generic muffler to the cat output flange.

Engine interior was spotless, no issues other than the failed thrust bearing that eventually ate the crankshaft.
The trans has used, unburnt fluid and functions as expected.

 

[Transman304]

Not common on this unit at all. Really not on any non modified unit. If the truck was used to tow or carry a heavy load continuously in a partial stall condition this might happen. Trashing the pump would be more probable.
Brad