Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 10-25-2018, 11:22 PM
FireRanger421 FireRanger421 is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Question 5R55E Rebuild Issues

This is a little late but I need some help with my rebuilt transmission. I had my transmission rebuilt a couple years ago since it was ran dry of oil. I had a local mechanic rebuild it for me, since I didn't have the time or space to do it myself, not that I think I could have done better. A rebuild kit was bought from a local auto parts store and all the parts looked correct.

Right after the rebuild, we knew 5th didn't work. After a couple more teardowns with zero findings, I decided to run it as it was, since I needed it for work as I had no other vehicle to use.

After a little while, I decided to take it to a tranny shop to let them take a look at it. They informed me the 2nd didn't work either when in drive, which I surprisingly never noticed, but they couldn't do anything to fix it, but that it wasn't electrical. They informed me that since it was recently rebuilt with parts that weren't theirs, they would have to rebuild it again, and I definitely couldn't afford that.

Now, 2 years after it was rebuilt, nothing seems to have changed, by that I mean nothing seems to have gotten worse.

My current issues are: slow reverse when cold, no 2nd or 5th in drive, hard downshift when accelerating to pass vehicles on highway, seemingly random hard upshifts.

Does anyone know enough about these transmissions to say if mine might be fixable or if I should just give up on it and replace it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-25-2018, 11:59 PM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 516
Default Re: 5R55E Rebuild Issues

2nd and 5th are technically the same gear. The 5r55e creates a fake second gear by engaging the overdrive while in first gear. So your overdrive is not functioning causing you to lose 2nd and 5th. Could be many reasons though, od band not adjusted properly, bad solenoid, worn od drum, blocked or leaking fluid path or valve.

When the trans was rebuilt was the valve body rebuilt as well and were all the solenoids replaced? Are there any stored or pending DTC's? A basic obd2 scanner often will not read transmission codes - p0700's. Were any of these symptoms present BEFORE the rebuild?

Slow reverse is usually linked to a pressure issue, weak pump, leaking valve body, bad epc solenoid.

Obviously the transmission was not rebuilt properly or some major components were ignored during the rebuild. My first assumption is that the valve body and solenoids were never serviced because I see way too many people rebuild transmissions and never open up the valve body even though 99% of transmission problems are valve body related.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-26-2018, 12:23 AM
FireRanger421 FireRanger421 is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 2
Default Re: 5R55E Rebuild Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dirtman View Post
2nd and 5th are technically the same gear. The 5r55e creates a fake second gear by engaging the overdrive while in first gear. So your overdrive is not functioning causing you to lose 2nd and 5th. Could be many reasons though, od band not adjusted properly, bad solenoid, worn od drum, blocked or leaking fluid path or valve.

When the trans was rebuilt was the valve body rebuilt as well and were all the solenoids replaced? Are there any stored or pending DTC's? A basic obd2 scanner often will not read transmission codes - p0700's. Were any of these symptoms present BEFORE the rebuild?

Slow reverse is usually linked to a pressure issue, weak pump, leaking valve body, bad epc solenoid.

Obviously the transmission was not rebuilt properly or some major components were ignored during the rebuild. My first assumption is that the valve body and solenoids were never serviced because I see way too many people rebuild transmissions and never open up the valve body even though 99% of transmission problems are valve body related.
I know the valve body was not serviced, I remember I asked the mechanic if it should be, and he said it wasn't necessary. Obviously that was a lie, or he didn't know what he was doing.

I have hooked up a tuner to the truck to read the tranny codes. I can't remember the code, but the description it gave was "5th gear ratio error".
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-26-2018, 12:36 AM
Dirtman Dirtman is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 516
Default Re: 5R55E Rebuild Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger421 View Post
I know the valve body was not serviced, I remember I asked the mechanic if it should be, and he said it wasn't necessary. Obviously that was a lie, or he didn't know what he was doing.

I have hooked up a tuner to the truck to read the tranny codes. I can't remember the code, but the description it gave was "5th gear ratio error".
P0735

So the computer is sending the signal for OD, but the OD is not engaging for some reason causing the speed sensors to send a fault since the transmission is not spinning at the correct rpm for what it thinks is 5th gear.

If it were me I would start by dropping the pan and testing all the solenoids (3 shift solenoids, 1 TCC solenoid, and one EPC solenoid). Then move on to inspecting/servicing the valve body. Depending on the year you may also have the 3 piece valve body gasket set which has a TSB because they are prone to internal blow outs and should be replaced with a bonded gasket. If the valve body was never opened I doubt this was checked or replaced either. Probably just threw a new upper gasket on and called it good.

Last edited by Dirtman; 10-26-2018 at 12:40 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-27-2018, 04:59 AM
transman304 transman304 is offline
Buy a Ford
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 194
Default Re: 5R55E Rebuild Issues

The front band is your 2nd and 5th gear. Was the servo piston replaced? Band adjusted correctly? Release oil is on backs of both servo pistons in reverse. So if the OD servo piston is damaged and leaking you will lose pressure for reverse and the ability for it to apply the band for 2nd and 5th gears.
__________________
Brad
Morgantown WV
Like us on Facebook @"Otto Matics"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rebuild costs 5r55e stang99x Drivetrain Tech 4 01-29-2017 10:35 AM
GreatDane's 5r55e rebuild diary + valvebody GreatDane Drivetrain Tech 14 07-02-2015 10:40 PM
5r55e - No reverse and D engagement - Possible rebuild & diagnosis GreatDane Drivetrain Tech 26 02-03-2015 03:21 AM
5r55e rebuild upgrades 2001xlt4d 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 2 02-19-2013 02:34 PM
5R55E Tranny Lockup Issues zman7125 Drivetrain Tech 2 07-27-2011 09:02 PM