Important knowledge for all Ford Explorers OWNERS with SUVs made from March 02 to Aug. 03 with the 5R55s transmissions.
My 03 Ford Explorer 5R55s with a 4.6 and 4WD XLT needed its 5R55s transmission rebuilt.
Not a problem.
Until they tried ordering a new Solenoid pack, seems my Explorer has a 5R55S but it has a 02/03 model Solenoid pack # 1L22-7G391-AE or AG. Made BEFORE AUG 03.
Al of A&S Transmission is a sharp mechanic and knew of a problems with the early version of the build run for my Explorer, he talked with ATRA ATRA - Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association “The largest transmission rebuilders association in the World” and confirmed what he had read about a mismatch between the model of Solenoid packs were installed by Ford from March 02 to August 03 and was another of Ford’s short term parts runs and that the newer Solenoid Packs (after Aug 03) will not work correctly in some 30% of the trucks made within those build dates they are put into.
I was told the best fix was to upgrade my PCM to a post 03 Version.
So as they did not tell me this was IMPOSSIBLE I spent the last 5 months trying to make this work…
OMG Why did NO ONE POINT THIS OUT??
They not only changed the Solenoid Packs and the PCM, THEY CHANGED THE PLUGS TO THE PCMS FROM AUG 03 on to smaller 04 Explorer TOTALLY DIFFERENT PLUGS!!!
So many PCM sellers, so many junk yards…so may face book and web sites and NOT one person pointed out that after Aug 03 FORD CHANGED the plugs.
Now I am trying to find the world’s greatest Ford Solenoid Pack rebuilder??
So I kind of feel screwed…by Ford, by the Automatic Transmission Re-builder Associations, by all those PCM re-builders I asked for help.
This started by the Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Associations who told me all I need to do to save my transmission was upgrade to a newer PCM made after Aug 03.
I guess they NEVER looked into what this would take… like a complete rewiring of the PCM, engine compartment wiring and perhaps the whole truck.
I then foolishly tackled the main problem that I though was the problem of compatibility of a PCM to my early 03 SUV electronically, I was told that I needed to match the function of the PCMs programing. Not told there was a problem with the plugs.
SO I spent some five months trying to solve THAT problem, spending some $2 to $300.00 to do that. IE: Two PCMs from newer that Aug 03, and hunting for a way to reprogram them to my SUV.
NO ONE pointed out that at Aug 03 Ford made a MAJOR change in the wiring and plugs on the PCMs after that DEADLINE of Aug 03.
It is said you cannot find good help…most mean workers but it also applies to when you’re seeking help.
IF I had known what was going to happen, I NOW know I would have been BETTER off finding my first idea: A 1992 to 95 Chevy 4 Door Blazer/Yukon because I KNOW that they are MUCH more repairable and most likely will have parts available for longer into the future that my dumb ass Ford with it obsoleting parts…OMG What is next??
The reasons for my getting the Explorer was it is a nicer SUV, I could get a 03 for about 1/3 to ½ what a Chevy would cost, and I was a bit sick and tired with how EVERY Chevy engines (other than my 93 Van) ALL were crappy engines and how I had the replace every one over the 30 years of driving them.
The 4.6 Fords have a rep of running easily to 300K…and then some. The 5R55 Ford Transmission not as good but not much worst that the Chevy’s 4l60s…
I did not foresee all this trouble with Ford.
Rich
My 03 Ford Explorer 5R55s with a 4.6 and 4WD XLT needed its 5R55s transmission rebuilt.
Not a problem.
Until they tried ordering a new Solenoid pack, seems my Explorer has a 5R55S but it has a 02/03 model Solenoid pack # 1L22-7G391-AE or AG. Made BEFORE AUG 03.
Al of A&S Transmission is a sharp mechanic and knew of a problems with the early version of the build run for my Explorer, he talked with ATRA ATRA - Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association “The largest transmission rebuilders association in the World” and confirmed what he had read about a mismatch between the model of Solenoid packs were installed by Ford from March 02 to August 03 and was another of Ford’s short term parts runs and that the newer Solenoid Packs (after Aug 03) will not work correctly in some 30% of the trucks made within those build dates they are put into.
I was told the best fix was to upgrade my PCM to a post 03 Version.
So as they did not tell me this was IMPOSSIBLE I spent the last 5 months trying to make this work…
OMG Why did NO ONE POINT THIS OUT??
They not only changed the Solenoid Packs and the PCM, THEY CHANGED THE PLUGS TO THE PCMS FROM AUG 03 on to smaller 04 Explorer TOTALLY DIFFERENT PLUGS!!!
So many PCM sellers, so many junk yards…so may face book and web sites and NOT one person pointed out that after Aug 03 FORD CHANGED the plugs.
Now I am trying to find the world’s greatest Ford Solenoid Pack rebuilder??
So I kind of feel screwed…by Ford, by the Automatic Transmission Re-builder Associations, by all those PCM re-builders I asked for help.
This started by the Automatic Transmission Rebuilder Associations who told me all I need to do to save my transmission was upgrade to a newer PCM made after Aug 03.
I guess they NEVER looked into what this would take… like a complete rewiring of the PCM, engine compartment wiring and perhaps the whole truck.
I then foolishly tackled the main problem that I though was the problem of compatibility of a PCM to my early 03 SUV electronically, I was told that I needed to match the function of the PCMs programing. Not told there was a problem with the plugs.
SO I spent some five months trying to solve THAT problem, spending some $2 to $300.00 to do that. IE: Two PCMs from newer that Aug 03, and hunting for a way to reprogram them to my SUV.
NO ONE pointed out that at Aug 03 Ford made a MAJOR change in the wiring and plugs on the PCMs after that DEADLINE of Aug 03.
It is said you cannot find good help…most mean workers but it also applies to when you’re seeking help.
IF I had known what was going to happen, I NOW know I would have been BETTER off finding my first idea: A 1992 to 95 Chevy 4 Door Blazer/Yukon because I KNOW that they are MUCH more repairable and most likely will have parts available for longer into the future that my dumb ass Ford with it obsoleting parts…OMG What is next??
The reasons for my getting the Explorer was it is a nicer SUV, I could get a 03 for about 1/3 to ½ what a Chevy would cost, and I was a bit sick and tired with how EVERY Chevy engines (other than my 93 Van) ALL were crappy engines and how I had the replace every one over the 30 years of driving them.
The 4.6 Fords have a rep of running easily to 300K…and then some. The 5R55 Ford Transmission not as good but not much worst that the Chevy’s 4l60s…
I did not foresee all this trouble with Ford.
Rich
