99 Explorer tranny problem

[fordxer]

About two weeks ago the O/D OFF light started blinking on my Explorer. It would not start blinking until approximately 15 minutes into the drive. If you stop and shut the engine off for a couple of minutes, then start and take off again, it would take another 15 minutes to start blinking again. I took it to a tranny shop and was told that the codes showed three possibilities. #1 was the EPC selenoid, #2 was a short and #3 was something to do with the PCM. The guys changed the EPC and reset the codes. I picked it up that night and got about 10-15 minutes away when the light came back on. I took it back to the shop right then and when they put the scanner on it, no codes showed up. The only thing it showed was 5 components failed but did not list them. If you go to the memory of the unit it would still show the EPC and nothing else. My Explorer is a SOHC V6 4X4. Any suggestions.

[shorod]

At the time did you notice any differences in the way the transmission shifted or behaved?

-Rod

[fordxer]

The only thing I noticed is that every once in a while, on a down shift it seemed to be a little harder than usual. I just wrote it off to the u-joints. The only other thing I can think of was Ford had a recall on something that had to do with the cruise control. This started happening a day or two after they fixed the recall item.

[fordxer]

I got a call from my tranny guy a couple days ago to inform me he had come across a TSB that explained that a plate in the valve body has a hole (manufactured) that should be 60 thous. larger. Can anyone help me out possibly to fine that TSB? I would greatly appreciate it.

[shorod]

Did you ask the tranny guy to see a copy of the TSB?

I checked on transmission TSBs for the 5-speed automatic transmission and didn't see anything related to enlarging holes, but I wasn't looking at TSBs for the 1999 year specifically, rather for the same family transmission for a 2004 Lincoln LS.

Does your Explorer have the 4-speed auto or the 5-speed auto?

-Rod

[fordxer]

It is a 4 speed. 4R44E I believe. I am going to talk to him Monday about the TSB #. I am not sure about the model, 4R44E or 4R55E, I don't know the difference. I need to check the plate on the side of it. I have the 4.0 SOHC with 4:10 gears.

[fordxer]

I hadn't really thought about it until yesterday, but it has a 5 speed

[shorod]

The shift solenoid packs have been an issue on the 5-speed auto, especially if the fluid additive recall was not performed. Again, this is based on what I understand about the same transmission's use in the Lincoln LS. I suspect it applies to the Explorer as well though.

-Rod

[fordxer]

Have been noticing a slight slip at start up between 1 & 2 & 3. My tranny guy went in and drilled out the hole in the seperator plate according to a TSB he found and still the same code. I can't remember exact code but the wording is about a short or the PCM. The one thing I have found out is that if I don't get above 35 MPH, the o/d light will not come on. If I get above that for 4-5 minutes the light will start blinking. Am running out of patience and $$$$. Any suggestions??????