Hello folks, I'm hoping that perhaps you can lend me some insight into my trans issue. I was given an 01 xlt with a 3.0l and auto trans. It had a ton of issues of which I have sorted the bulk of them out. I installed new injectors, got rid of a bad miss. The Catalytic converter was bad, Exhaust glowing in the dark, not good, I replaced it as well. Then I noticed a bad oil leak, rear main and the cam cap were both leaking. Removed trans and replaced both along with the front trans seal since it was out.

All back together now and I don't have OD. Fluid is clean and full " if not a hair over " All connectors hooked up , all fused good. Replaced VSS " it was cheap and I read it's a common issue with these trucks "
Shifts great 1,2,3, but doesn't even try to go to OD, then the OD off light will start blinking. Ran the codes and for the first time since I've had the truck only got 1, PO735. Was told by my father " Who gave me the truck " that it shifted just fine when he was on the way to my house untill it threw the check engine light for the misfire. If I turn OD off before I set out, shifts like a brand new truck. If I leave OD on, obviously that changes a bit when it goes into safe mode.

I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts. Bad wire, shift solenoid , band adjustment?

 

Welcome to the forum

P0735 Gear 5 Incorrect ratio
This means the computer is shifting to 5th gear(OD) but the transmission is not shifting
So the command is given but there is no response

If it was a solenoid issue computer would set other codes, full list here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...II_codes.shtml
The codes a computer does NOT use can tell you alot as well, so always good to look up codes on a full list first

2001 Ranger 3.0l will have a 5R44E 5-speed automatic, same as 4R44E 4-speed
There was no extra gear added, Ford added software to computer that turns on OD while still in 1st, to get a split ratio between 1st and 2nd, which adds a "faux" 2nd gear, which is why they changed model number and say its a 5-speed, just FYI

So start off in D, in 1st, and accelerate normally, should have a shift to 2nd(OD on) then shift to 3rd THEN a shift to 4th
This is to see if the OD drum and solenoid are working in "2nd"
And I would guess it is or you would get P0732 Gear 2 Incorrect ratio, but that computers discretion to use "2nd", on hard acceleration it won't, it will hold 1st to higher RPM then shift to 3rd, skipping "2nd", so shifts the same as 4R44E shifted since it didn't have that "2nd" gear software

This is not a computer, sensor or wiring issue, or there would be different codes for that
And nothing to do with previous work you have done, this is an internal issue with transmission

This page has info on these transmissions: https://atracom.blob.core.windows.ne.../2003_5_50.pdf

As said the 4R and 5R are the same transmissions internally, 44E or 55E just means a different torque handling, 44E was used with 4cyl and 3.0l V6, 55E was used with 4.0l V6 engines
So what applies to one model applies to all models, as far as trouble or fixes

 

Hello Ron, Thanks for your quick response.

Obviously you are very knowledgeable about this particular trans. I was wondering given the situation what you feel might be the best course from a diagnostic stand point? I know that the later models like 4r70 had issues dropping the overdrive servo due to the snap ring failing, were there similar issue with the 5R44E? I'm kind of at a lost for the next step , short of paying a billion dollars to a trans shop, that will just tell me it needs a full rebuild, rather it really does or not.

 

Well, with the absence of solenoid codes there is more than a good chance the problem is in the rotating mass of the transmission, so rebuild time
The computer IS shifting to OD and solenoids seem to be OK, but the ratio(output) is not showing OD(5th) "gear" being used, so you get that code only

Doesn't matter if its a 5 cent snap ring or $100 sprag clutch, you can't fix either without a full tear down so................if trans has more than 100k miles might as well replace the clutches and bands while in there, along with pump, sprags and OD drum

You can test Pressure at the access ports to see if that sheds more light on the specific issue

If you haven't already, drain pan and look for metal debris in the fluid would put a nail in it as far as a rebuild

I am not a transmission guy, just OLD, lol

2001 Ranger 3.0l can only use a 2001-2008 5R44E from a 2wd 3.0l, not from a 2.3l or 4.0l
And not earlier because 2000 and older are missing 2 extra sensors needed by 2001 and up computers
If you shop for used replacement

Look at car-part.com
Good site for used parts

 

I also have this problem.Did you manage to fix it?