2002 explorer trans probs...

I think I know what is wrong, it is called a valve body. It's a little electronic panel that is located in the transmission and when Ford made a five speed trans out of a four speed, they used the 1st and OD to create a new gear, which I believe was the third gear. The valve body tells the tranny when to shift and usually they burn out about 50,000 miles or so. I'm not a mechanic, but this is what the trans guy told me. He had already replaced about 10 on Explorer Sports (and we live in a small area in Wi.). I contacted Ford and filed an official grievance about this part because they knew it was going to go bad. If it happens again, take your foot off the gas right before it shifts, or you'll burn out you clutch which is about $2,000. The valve body costs about $600 and about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs labour. I hope this helps, and if enough people complain with Ford, maybe we can get paid back for them producing faulty equipment.

hello all..first time here at these forums due to that fact thats i am too having tranny probs with my 2002 explorer...cubboy i am definately interested in knowing if you have anymore info about that wire harness?

my prob occured when i was making a left turn in the inside lane, then all of a sudden tranny slipped out of gear...my first thought was no worries, but come to find out this tranny is a sealed one...wtf...i had figured that fluid was low and by making that turn the fluid sloshed to the side..i am not an expert.. but i do know that when my 72 chevelle is low on trans fluid it will slip out of gear, me i just figured that i would check the level in the explorer.. lol no dipstick!!!..
So i pulled it up on the rack looking for a fill tube found nothing..the wife was in the vehicle and i asked her to turn the key to the on position..the blower fan was on also...Then i happened to notice some water falling down from an overflow tube (or whatever its purpose is) right onto a wire harness.. WTF.. this tube is under the drivers side and when the blower was on water came DRIPPING out... blower off no water..hmmmmmm it hadnt even rained today or yesterday.. so where did this water come from...not from the AC just not hot enough to run it...
My OD light also flashes fast...but it seems to go into gear when i depress the OD button (turning OD off) even though the light is still blinking...Salesman said to just leave in in OD youll be fine..i would suggest to not drive with OD on, only use it when you need it...just my opinion..

now the SES (service engine soon) light is on.. i hooked the scanner up to it pulling out a code of PO174, referenced the number and came up with this : system to lean (bank 2) ...bank 2? referring to a side of the vehicle? 1,3,5 cylinders? 2,4,6 cylinders? any way light came on when the vehicle tried to shift into third..i let the rpm's get up to about 4000 before i let off the gas to see if it would shift, it shifted, something squeeled then the light came on....i am just gonna delete the code from the vehicle and see if it happens again...

Not my first time owning a ford, but it is my first time making payments on a piece of crap...not really a ford man...but my better half wanted this one cause of the third row seat..another little one on the way ...

First off, your salesman is wrong. You need to get the tranny in for service. Those 02 Explorers are the first year of a sealed transmission (no dipstick). These trannys gave them fits but they have revised parts and yadda yadda that fix them. I'm not a tranny guy, but I work next to them at the dealer and know they deal with these trannys frequently. Second, the water dripping was condensation from the AC. The vehicle will automatically activate it at times to keep the oil in the system flowing and it activates when the defrosters are on to de-humidify the air for defogging the windshield. Bank two is 2,4,6 and lean on one bank usually indicates a O2 sensor problem. And finally, leave it in overdrive, it just gives you one extra gear and it's only used when you need it...enjoy the gas mileage.

That was some fairly amazing insight; seriously.

Would you have any suggestions regarding this ( http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=78748 ) thread?