The dreaded 5r55e..

[CheapThrills]

sorry for the wall of text

I'm surprised I haven't junked this thing yet!! I've had it rebuilt once, then the trans pump went on it, so while I had it apart, I went ahead and put a transgo shift kit in it, as well as the upgraded parts. I've now got the O/D light flashing again - TCC Solenoid. Now, before I get into that, I've noticed, when I manually/automatically shift the trans(1-2,2-D) my 2-D shifts itself pretty much, like, RPMs fluctuate without me doing it, and it sets itself in gear. Then it drives fine, unless i'm going up a hill. If I go up a hill, thats when it decides to kick out of O/D, and starts going in/out, then O/D light starts flashing. Now, when that happens, I pull off the side, restart the truck, and baby it. I know that won't make it go away and probably only makes it worse, but I've only done it a handful of times, being as it's my only ride as of a while ago. I have some time to work on it now, and I plan on dropping the pan again, and replacing the TCC Solenoid, as well as the EPC (I don't think they replaced it when rebuilding). Now, my question, is that all I should replace? I will update this once I pull the pan tomorrow, but I just really don't want to spend more and more money on this thing. Thank you ahead of time, I really appreciate it!

 

[Dune Runner]

I had a lot of problems with mine. I ended up replacing the valve body with a rebuilt one from Central Valve Body. They shipped it to me I swapped it out and sent them the core. No core charge. Tranny now shifts better than new. That was 20k miles ago. I think I gave em $250 for it.

 

[CheapThrills]

I had a lot of problems with mine. I ended up replacing the valve body with a rebuilt one from Central Valve Body. They shipped it to me I swapped it out and sent them the core. No core charge. Tranny now shifts better than new. That was 20k miles ago. I think I gave em $250 for it.

that was just the valve body though? no solenoids or anything?

 

[Dune Runner]

They put known good tested solenoids in the valve bodys. I did a lot of research before buying from them. They have a lot of happy customers. Great service and product. They even do upgrades to the valve bodys that they sell.


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[Bronco638]

I had this occur to my '01 Edge 4x4 3.0 about a month ago. I guess the flashing o/d light is sending a 2 digit code (?). Supposedly, you can read the codes as long as the light is flashing. I have a Scan Gauge hooked up to the OBD II port but can't find any stored codes (codes may not be stored, they're only readable when the dash light is actually flashing - also not sure if the Scan Gauge can even read tranny error codes).

Some research on the subject brought up a laundry list of things to do; replace the ATF, adjust the bands, replace the valve body (as previously mentioned), replace the valve body gasket, ensure the cooler & lines are not restricted or clogged. There might be more things to do but I can't find the web page at the moment. I believe the PCM (or whatever the electronic control unit is called) can be re-flashed by Ford. There are software updates and I believe there are also upgrades to the tranny itself. If you need a new one, re-manufactured is the route to go (as opposed to rebuilt or reconditioned) as the re-manufactured tranny has the upgrades.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I may have to deal with the issue myself.

 

[CheapThrills]

They put known good tested solenoids in the valve bodys. I did a lot of research before buying from them. They have a lot of happy customers. Great service and product. They even do upgrades to the valve bodys that they sell.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well that's great. I'm gonna look into that. I'd already be spending $200 on just the EPC and TCC. Thanks for your help. I'm watching the fluid drain as we speak so I'll get back to ya.

 

[CheapThrills]

I had this occur to my '01 Edge 4x4 3.0 about a month ago. I guess the flashing o/d light is sending a 2 digit code (?). Supposedly, you can read the codes as long as the light is flashing. I have a Scan Gauge hooked up to the OBD II port but can't find any stored codes (codes may not be stored, they're only readable when the dash light is actually flashing - also not sure if the Scan Gauge can even read tranny error codes).

Some research on the subject brought up a laundry list of things to do; replace the ATF, adjust the bands, replace the valve body (as previously mentioned), replace the valve body gasket, ensure the cooler & lines are not restricted or clogged. There might be more things to do but I can't find the web page at the moment. I believe the PCM (or whatever the electronic control unit is called) can be re-flashed by Ford. There are software updates and I believe there are also upgrades to the tranny itself. If you need a new one, re-manufactured is the route to go (as opposed to rebuilt or reconditioned) as the re-manufactured tranny has the upgrades.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I may have to deal with the issue myself.

Yeah, I've been getting the P1744 (tcc solenoid). I had a near-by shop pull it up. I had already replaced the fluid maybe 3? times since I did the pump, and the valve body, just to make sure I got all the junk out. I just recently tightened the bands, to see if it would help with anything. I have not checked the tranny cooler/lines, I don't have that kind of knowledge yet, but I'm definitely going to look into that. When I did the valve body, I went ahead and got the bonded gasket, I believe its all they have. I just dropped the pan, the fluid is red, smells fine, but my magnet was loaded with just sludge, a few metal flakes, and 2 or 3 little chunks. I'm hoping those little chunks are part of the trans pump that went out a while ago. I've only put maybe 2-3k miles if that since I did the pump/valve body. I'm gonna do some more research before I give these guys a call over at Central Valve Bodies, because for that price, i'd be stupid not to purchase it! I'll definitely keep it updated.

 

[bigmark303]

When the O/D light starts blinking take action right away. Solenoids are a very easy fix and like any part they do become faulty and need replacing over time. Depending on how long you have been letting this issue go on is going to determine whether there is damage to the band/bands or not.

If the fluid is clean and not burnt smelling chances are you can just replace the solenoid/solenoids and be done.

Transmissions are something not many people understand and have knowledge of. Even the diehard gearheads who rebuild engines and restore cars 90 percent of them when asked if they ever do transmission work past a pan drop will admit they send it to a professional because they dont want to touch it.

Also when sending it out to be rebuilt it actually just means repaired in the transmission world. No shop ever rebuilds a transmission unless actually told to. They instead just fix what is broken and reassemble with the rest of the old parts. Why they call it a rebuild is beyond me but thats how it works in the transmission world.

 

[Transman304]

"Also when sending it out to be rebuilt it actually just means repaired in the transmission world. No shop ever rebuilds a transmission unless actually told to. They instead just fix what is broken and reassemble with the rest of the old parts. Why they call it a rebuild is beyond me but thats how it works in the transmission world."

I'm not sure what world you are referring to. But in my "Transmission World" I never patch a job. It is a complete overhaul/rebuild on every unit I do. Plus a remanufactured converter and any updates that are available for said unit. I also give a warranty with every transmission. And I know of many shops across the states that do the same as I do. So be careful about painting us all with the same brush!

 

[CheapThrills]

When the O/D light starts blinking take action right away. Solenoids are a very easy fix and like any part they do become faulty and need replacing over time. Depending on how long you have been letting this issue go on is going to determine whether there is damage to the band/bands or not.

If the fluid is clean and not burnt smelling chances are you can just replace the solenoid/solenoids and be done.

Transmissions are something not many people understand and have knowledge of. Even the diehard gearheads who rebuild engines and restore cars 90 percent of them when asked if they ever do transmission work past a pan drop will admit they send it to a professional because they dont want to touch it.

Also when sending it out to be rebuilt it actually just means repaired in the transmission world. No shop ever rebuilds a transmission unless actually told to. They instead just fix what is broken and reassemble with the rest of the old parts. Why they call it a rebuild is beyond me but thats how it works in the transmission world.

It wasn't very long I had to drive it like I did. The fluid was shiny red pouring out, and smells fine. When they 'rebuilt' my trans, they replaced all the bands. I sent an E-mail to the guys over at Central Valve Bodies, so i'm waiting a response from them about the VB. I'd much rather spend the $50 extra and get a rebuilt valve body as well. Thanks for your help.

 

[CheapThrills]

Well i'm going to go with CVB, and see what that does. I'll update it once I get the parts!

 

[CheapThrills]

Alright, well the VB is in the transmission now, took it for a short test drive last night, drove well. Shifting is firm, although putting into reverse is kind of hesitant. Gonna drive it to class tomorrow and see how it does for highway driving before I send mine back.

 

[CheapThrills]

Sorry it took so long - truck is doing well! over 500 miles on the VB and its doing great. Would recommend it if you're having the same issues!

 

[paulnola]

Similar problems - transmission terms?

Hello all,

My trans seems to be having a similar problem the Cheapthrills had. Please forgive my lack of knowledge but I am a complete novice when it comes to auto transmissions. Can someone what the acronyms use throughout the thread are? Also, the parts components mentioned - what and where are they?

Thanks in advance!

 

[cvar]

Check out this:
http://www.fordexplorerclub.ru/Alex/Transmission/5R55E.pdf

and also this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=386920

and watch this video (4R44E is almost same as 5R55E):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBNkCTuQ3So#t=63

and see Ford shop manual for Transmission in here:
http://visualbits.net/Car%20Stuff/Ford%20Ranger%202001-2008/