Transmission overdrive issues.

[Lakewind]

Hey everyone and Merry Christmas. This post is about a 2005 Ford Ranger 3.0 but since I tried the Ranger forum and nobody had encountered this issue before it was suggested that I try the Explorer forum because it has a similar transmission. The transmission is the 5R44E. The transmission shifts smoothly in all gear. The issue starts when I try to accelerate while it is in overdrive (as in trying to pass or get on the interstate) the transmission jutters almost sounding like it's trying to downshift and up shift rapidly or rather it struggles trying to downshift from overdrive and it's kind of alarming when I'm trying to get on I-95. I can turn the overdrive off with the button on the end of the turn signal and it will down shift from over drive without issue but not when stepping on the accelerator. It seems to be getting worse. It's a relatively high mileage vehicle with 256,000 miles but it has been well maintained and has been very dependable. Has anyone had issues like this with an Explorer? Any input given would be greatly appreciated as it has most people stumped. By the way since the transmission is supposedly electronic , I had it checked for stored codes and it has none.

 

[Josh B]

Hey LW, Hang around a day or two, as if you were in good company. You will find your answers. Pleased to meet you

 

[Josh B]

Ah yeah, in the meantime check out the tech section, you might find some answers there

 

[Lakewind]

Thanks Josh. Good to meet you too.

 

[RonD]

OD button is on the end of the shifter

Have you reset the computer?
If not unhook Negative battery cable for 5min, then hook it back up
You will need to set the clock
Computer "learns" drivers habits you need to erase that and start fresh

Turn OD off when you first start driving
Only turn it on when you are at speed on the highway, or as needed
See how it works and if there are any issues downshifting with OD off in any other gears, i.e. 4th down to 3rd

OD is operated by solenoid 3(C) which controls the OD Band
Solenoid 3 and OD band are also used for 2nd gear(OD off doesn't effect this)
So see if you notice anything odd between 1st to 3rd shifting

From your description either computer is not turning off solenoid 3 or the OD band is not releasing fully for down shift to 4th
If band was not releasing then you may notice that after stopping and then starting off again, i.e. you may still be in 2nd not 1st

 

[Lakewind]

Hello Ron. I really appreciate your response and it's sounds like you have knowledge of this transmission and I'm thankful of that. I disconnected by negative battery cable for about 10 minutes reconnected, reset the clock, turned OD off and took it for a drive up to about 55 mph. I listened for each gear 1 thru 4 to shift and visually watched the tach drop after each shift to ensure all 4 gears engaged. It shifted smoothly. I stepped on the accelerator while in 4th to downshift. Although it grabbed rather hard it did downshift (will it downshift from 4th to 2nd? because tach jumped to about 4000 rpm) without much problem. I let the trans shift to 4th and slowly came to a stop listening and watching tach as it shifted from 4th to 3rd. 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to first without a problem. I repeated the process with the same results. I turned OD on and went for a ride and listened to all 5 gears shift smoothly. Accelerating it downshifted from 5th to 4th without much problem (it grabbed a little hard). Cruising about 60 mph I backed off the accelerator and the truck slowed to approximately 50 mph (maybe a little less) and I could hear the transmission juttering (the best I could describe) like it was trying to downshift and up shift rapidly from 5th to 4th for a few seconds at that one particular speed like it was confused as to what to do. Kind of strange. I believe that's what it is happening on the interstate ramp getting on I-95 only the juttering is louder almost a vibration. I believe it's that OD band like you said. I'm just guessing. I'm tempted to have the transmission filter changed like I had done in the past as general maintenance since it's been awhile. It never used to do this and seems to be getting worse..

 

[gearcutter]

OD button is on the end of the shifter

Have you reset the computer?
If not unhook Negative battery cable for 5min, then hook it back up
You will need to set the clock
Computer "learns" drivers habits you need to erase that and start fresh

Turn OD off when you first start driving
Only turn it on when you are at speed on the highway, or as needed
See how it works and if there are any issues downshifting with OD off in any other gears, i.e. 4th down to 3rd

OD is operated by solenoid 3(C) which controls the OD Band
Solenoid 3 and OD band are also used for 2nd gear(OD off doesn't effect this)
So see if you notice anything odd between 1st to 3rd shifting

From your description either computer is not turning off solenoid 3 or the OD band is not releasing fully for down shift to 4th
If band was not releasing then you may notice that after stopping and then starting off again, i.e. you may still be in 2nd not 1st

Hello Ron. I really appreciate your response and it's sounds like you have knowledge of this transmission and I'm thankful of that. I disconnected by negative battery cable for about 10 minutes reconnected, reset the clock, turned OD off and took it for a drive up to about 55 mph. I listened for each gear 1 thru 4 to shift and visually watched the tach drop after each shift to ensure all 4 gears engaged. It shifted smoothly. I stepped on the accelerator while in 4th to downshift. Although it grabbed rather hard it did downshift (will it downshift from 4th to 2nd? because tach jumped to about 4000 rpm) without much problem. I let the trans shift to 4th and slowly came to a stop listening and watching tach as it shifted from 4th to 3rd. 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to first without a problem. I repeated the process with the same results. I turned OD on and went for a ride and listened to all 5 gears shift smoothly. Accelerating it downshifted from 5th to 4th without much problem (it grabbed a little hard). Cruising about 60 mph I backed off the accelerator and the truck slowed to approximately 50 mph (maybe a little less) and I could hear the transmission juttering (the best I could describe) like it was trying to downshift and up shift rapidly from 5th to 4th for a few seconds at that one particular speed like it was confused as to what to do. Kind of strange. I believe that's what it is happening on the interstate ramp getting on I-95 only the juttering is louder almost a vibration. I believe it's that OD band like you said. I'm just guessing. I'm tempted to have the transmission filter changed like I had done in the past as general maintenance since it's been awhile. It never used to do this and seems to be getting worse..

I’m currently going though this exact issue with my daughters truck I just got her. It only has 90k on it. Did you come up with a fix for your transmission? Any help would be greatly appreciated, since she will be going away to collage very soon

 

[Lakewind]

I’m currently going though this exact issue with my daughters truck I just got her. It only has 90k on it. Did you come up with a fix for your transmission? Any help would be greatly appreciated, since she will be going away to collage very soon

 

[Lakewind]

If it's the same transmission, follow RonD advice and disconnect battery for 5 minutes. Then let your daughter drive the vehicle. It will take a little time but the transmission seems to adjust itself according to driving habits. It worked for me.