Hey All,

Hope you all on this forum can give me some insight into a problem I'm having with my '99 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 (4.0L)! After the engine/transmission warms up and upon reaching ~50 mph, the O/D light starts flashing and the truck starts down shifting hard. If I keep driving it for too much longer, it will start to shift hard from takeoff as well. If I shut off the truck after the O/D light starts flashing and then re-crank the truck to drive it again, it seems to run just fine for a few minutes before acting up again. Can anyone tell me whether this is a mechanical or computer related issue with the trans? Could it be my Torque Converter? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Brandon

 

Have you pulled a code yet?

 

I had essentially the same thing happen in the same truck. Ended up blowing my second gear so my transmission was jumping from 1st gear to third. Well, I had the same thing with the O/D flashing and hard shifting**

 

Took the truck to the transmission shop and they said it was the torque converter (not sure which code it threw)... Since the trans. has to come out to replace the TC, they recommend rebuilding it while it's out! This particular trans. shop quoted me a price of $2000 + the cost of the TC, so the truck is currently sitting in the garage waiting for my next move! I'm calling other shops and talking to people to see if they know of anyone who rebuilds transmissions on the side. Thanks for the input!

 

would be cheaper to swap a tranny from a junkyard ranger I would think? find a ranger with low miles...

 

Don't know why they'd charge extra for a torque converter since most rebuilders include it in the price of the rebuild or the core. I had the same problem, pulled the trans, passed on the rebuild, replaced the TC Solenoid and had the TC rebuilt for $200. Put everything back together for another $200 or so in fluids and gaskets. All said and done, $400, tightened bands and the truck runs like new. If you have been responsible with your trans maintenance, you might want to consider going this route.

 

I would take a look at this monster thread. A lot of people have experienced a similar issue as you and was able to resolve it by either swapping out a rebuilt valve body (Centeral Valve Bodies is good I hear) or replacing the two valve body gaskets ($6 each).

I recently had an intermittant problem on my 99 2wd slipping in 1st gear. Replaced the tranny fluid filter/fluid, and the valve body gaskets and the truck seems fine.

Good luck.

 

Pull a code and you will be able to narrow down what is wrong. If it is the P0741 code, then your Torque Coverter Clutch or TCC Solenoid has had it. The only way you are going to find out what is wrong, is to secure a code.

 

most likely it has a p0741 and or p1744 set. The valve body can be disassembled to check for a sticking TCC valve and the separator plate gaskets replaced along with the TCC solenoid. If it still does it, put a converter in it...a converter, fluid, gaskets and solenoid can all be had for about $250-300

 

so I've read though several of these threads about a flashing o/d light and I wanted to add that before my light came on today, yesterday when i started the truck and backed out of the driveway not too long after I put in it drive that i heard a loud whine. Not like the whine you hear from a clogged trans filter, almost like a siren sound. It went away after 50 yards down the street. Truck does the hard up shift after the light is flashing and all. What was the loud noise?

 

sounds like a pump or converter...the 5R55E pump can get pretty loud

 

ouch. Just got back from the trans shop. Pulled the P0741 code. They swapped solenoids with no luck there. The guys said the fluid was pretty dark with debris in it. He wants to drop the trans to inspect further and whatever the problem is torque converter, gasket, etc. he wants to pull the trans apart to clean out any contamination that might be in any of the fluid passages. Does that sound right, or is he blowing smoke?

 

With debris in the fluid, it is going to have to come apart for inspection. The debris cannot just be cleaned out without finding the root cause of the debris, so parts will need to be replaced. The valve body needs to be completely disassembled to inspect for a stuck converter control valve, and i would put a converter in it too

 

Welcome to the problems with the 5r55e... lol. Mine did the same thing before it needed a rebuild. Completely lost OD, slipping bad in between shifts.. Ended up needing new OD planetary gear, and 3 new clutch disks.. 200 dollars in parts and 1500 in labor so ended up being 1700. If you are mechanically inclined enough, a 5 speed swap wouldn't be a bad idea.. You can piece the swap together for a decent price. Unless of course you like the auto