5R55E problems, little help please
 

My sons tuck is a 2001 Ranger 4x4 with a 4.0l SOHC 5R55E auto tranny.
Tranny wouldn't go into reverse or 4lo. Yesterday I drove the truck a bit shifting thru all gears from 2hi to 4hi to, finally, 4lo. Its stuck in 4lo at the moment and im pretty sure that's just a bad t-case shift motor.
The truck has engine braking in 2nd and 1st and several times I got it to go into reverse smoothly with no hesitation exactly like it was supposed to. It seemed to shift into reverse the most while in 4hi. In 2hi it seemed to slip while trying to shift into reverse. I get zero codes on the scanner every time I try it.
Does anyone have any idea what or where the problem is with this transmission? An educated guess would be greatly appreciated sice it would be more than I have at the moment.

If transmission doesn't have reverse it usually means it will need to be pulled out, there would be no external issue/fix

Pull shift motor off and shift transfer case manually.
I believe this Shiftstser video shows where to shift transfer case to get 2WD, 4WD and 4WD low: Installation: Installation Instructions for The Shiftster | The Shiftster

The transfer case is directly connected to the wheels so block the tires because when you shift T-case to neutral truck will roll, you may need a friend to rock the truck as well because pressure on drive lines may prevent shifting.

Yeah ive looked up how to manually shift the t-case. As for the reverse it will go into reverse some times. Just not all the time. When it does go into reverse it works beautifully, exactly like it should.
Its like theres some servo not working correctly that opens to allow reverse to function.
Could it be the reverse servo? I think that's what its called any ways.

Yes there are two valves and the band involved in Reverse, but nothing external.
The same band is used for manual 1st gear, so if you shift into 1st and it works the band is probably OK.
There is a boost valve and the reverse valve, yes they can be called servos, either one leaking pressure would cause intermittent reverse.
I believe you can get to the valve body by removing the pan, just not sure any repair would work or be long term if it did.

I am be no means knowledgeable on automatic transmissions, I know just enough to get me into trouble, and maybe you, lol, so I would ask a transmission shops that deals with 5R55E transmissions about this.

LOL Thanks Ron. At least you responded for me. Ive noticed theres ALOT of 5r55e no reverse threads so I guess the guys who know are pretty much just sick and tired of answering the same questions over and over again. Cant say I blame them for that. Kind of like a kids saying "are we there yet" over and over. Theres so many threads its very hard to sift thru them for the info I need.
One last question; Will a 99 5r55e work in a 2001??

The transmission bolt pattern is specific to the engine and the tail shaft is specific to 2WD or 4WD.
But as far as I know the computer hook ups and internals would be the same.

The 4.0l OHV and 4.0l SOHC engines have similar trans bolt patterns so will match up, I think the SOHC has one extra hole

That's exactly what im reading every where else. Heres a quote I copied from one thread about my problem,
"check the low/reverse servo, band, and reverse modulaton valve in the valve body. Sometimes it could be a problem with the shift fork in the transfer case, and not even a transmission related issue."

Since I know my t-case shift motor isn't shifting from 2hi to 4hi/4lo correctly I guess I best start there. I found a 99 4x4 4.0l SOHC Explorer for $900.00. Same motor, tranny, t-case, etc, etc. I will use it to fix my sons truck then yank its 8.8" LSD rear axle and throw it under my 2001 Jeep Wrangler. Everyone wins, LOL!!!! Still got to do the work though. Again thanks for your help.

Installed shift kit 5r55e
 

I had the superior shift kit installed on my 5r 55E transmission 2 wd auto I had all my gears before the shift kit. I was just slipping in some and lost reverse so I put the shift in and now I have no gars you can go through the gear selector and you can hear the engine change tones like it’s going into gear, but I have no gear, what would be the issue anybody know?