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Old March 31st 07, 03:14 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.explorer
Paul G.
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Posts: 29
Default 5R55E auto trans won't downshift to 1st gear on 2000 Explorer 2wd

On Mar 30, 12:38 pm, wrote:
> On Mar 30, 7:52 am, "Paul G." > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Mar 29, 9:08 pm, wrote:

>
> > > Good Evening,

>
> > > I found an earlier post (2004) on this topic but no clear solution.

>
> > > Any ideas on why my auto trans won't downshift to 1st gear when
> > > manually placed into 1st gear? It will limit itself to first gear
> > > only when accelerating in 1st gear but it won't allow engine breaking
> > > to decelerate on decents. It seams like it is in neutral when no gas
> > > is applied, allow
> > > it to coast and even pick speed on a steep decent. 2nd gear
> > > functionality works fine including engine braking.

>
> > > I have experimented with it enough to know that it is a real problem,
> > > and not related to high-speed shifting in to 1st.

>
> > > Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

>
> > Here's the answer I posted previously. I should have included "5R55E"
> > so you could find it...

>
> > That is a known problem caused by a gasket in the valve body blowing
> > out. It's fixed by replacing a plate in the valve body with a new one
> > which now has the gasket permanently bonded to the plate. They
> > recommend replacing a failure-prone solenoid while you're at it.

>
> > Here's some great info on this problem from "Serious Explorations":

>
> > TSB 03-22-10...

>
> > FORD: 1995-2001 EXPLORER

>
> > ISSUE:
> > Some vehicles built prior to 12/1/2001 may exhibit the following shift
> > and engagement conditions:

>
> > No 2nd Gear
> > No 3rd Gear
> > No Engine Braking In Manual 1st.
> > Out of specification pressures controlled by the transmission main
> > control valve body separator plate may be the cause.

>
> > ACTION:
> > Verify the condition, the main control valve body separator plate may
> > need to be updated to the latest level. Refer to the following Service
> > Procedure for details.

>
> > See the whole article, be sure to read the stuff way down at the
> > bottom:http://tinyurl.com/yg23rj
> > -Paul- Hide quoted text -

>
> > - Show quoted text -

>
> Thanks for directling me to your earlier posting. I have yet to meet
> another Paul that was not a nice guy!
>
> I have never worked on a trans before so I may follow up with a trans
> shop or dealer, if the cost is reasonable.
>
> Does anyone know if there are any risks if I continue to operate the
> truck with this condition? In normal driving the trans works fine.
> It's rare that I manually shift into first. T


> On Mar 30, 7:52 am, "Paul G." > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Mar 29, 9:08 pm, wrote:

>
> > > Good Evening,

>
> > > I found an earlier post (2004) on this topic but no clear solution.

>
> > > Any ideas on why my auto trans won't downshift to 1st gear when
> > > manually placed into 1st gear? It will limit itself to first gear
> > > only when accelerating in 1st gear but it won't allow engine breaking
> > > to decelerate on decents. It seams like it is in neutral when no gas
> > > is applied, allow
> > > it to coast and even pick speed on a steep decent. 2nd gear
> > > functionality works fine including engine braking.

>
> > > I have experimented with it enough to know that it is a real problem,
> > > and not related to high-speed shifting in to 1st.

>
> > > Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

>
> > Here's the answer I posted previously. I should have included "5R55E"
> > so you could find it...

>
> > That is a known problem caused by a gasket in the valve body blowing
> > out. It's fixed by replacing a plate in the valve body with a new one
> > which now has the gasket permanently bonded to the plate. They
> > recommend replacing a failure-prone solenoid while you're at it.

>
> > Here's some great info on this problem from "Serious Explorations":

>
> > TSB 03-22-10...

>
> > FORD: 1995-2001 EXPLORER

>
> > ISSUE:
> > Some vehicles built prior to 12/1/2001 may exhibit the following shift
> > and engagement conditions:

>
> > No 2nd Gear
> > No 3rd Gear
> > No Engine Braking In Manual 1st.
> > Out of specification pressures controlled by the transmission main
> > control valve body separator plate may be the cause.

>
> > ACTION:
> > Verify the condition, the main control valve body separator plate may
> > need to be updated to the latest level. Refer to the following Service
> > Procedure for details.

>
> > See the whole article, be sure to read the stuff way down at the
> > bottom:http://tinyurl.com/yg23rj
> > -Paul- Hide quoted text -

>
> > - Show quoted text -

>
> Thanks for directling me to your earlier posting. I have yet to meet
> another Paul that was not a nice guy!
>
> I have never worked on a trans before so I may follow up with a trans
> shop or dealer, if the cost is reasonable.
>
> Does anyone know if there are any risks if I continue to operate the
> truck with this condition? In normal driving the trans works fine.
> It's rare that I manually shift into first. T


I believe this is not going to be real expensive to repair, I'm pretty
sure they can remove the valve body and fix it without removing the
transmission and the parts are not expensive. I think it's a drop-the-
pan operation.

I'm not a transmission expert, but I think you can continue to drive
it with those symptoms. The gasket can blow out in other spots and
cause more severe symptoms like slipping shifts in higher gears, which
can do some damage, though. I'd suggest getting it fixed as soon as
possible as transmission failure IS expensive.

You might print some of that out, it will help a lot to steer the
repair shop in the right direction. If you're lucky they'll know all
about it- "Oh yeah, that TSB. We do a lot of those." If they say
you need a new transmission, look elsewhere.

As to being a nice guy- sure, just keep me on technical stuff and off
politics and religion... ;-))
-Paul

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