I have an 01 Ford Ranger with an automatic transmission (5r55e), with 86,xxx on the clock. I have had the tranny flushed every 30,000 miles, but never changed the filter and the fluid was always Motorcraft Mercon V. The other day, when I went to stop, it seemed like the transmission was still pushing - long story short, my mechanic says that my shift solenoid is "sticking". Is this a job that Auto Rx can handle, or should I just replace the solenoid? Be gentle, I know little about transmissions. Thanks for the help!
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
If there is a product that could fix your sticking shift solenoid, it would be Auto-RX. That's not to say it will definitely fix it, just maybe. Are those solenoids known for going bad this soon? I don't believe thay are. When you say you had your transmission flushed, was this a complete fluid replacement?
I would suggest that you follow the prescribed 1000 mile run with 6 oz of the Auto-RX, then drop the pan and replace the filter (it's time), AND do the flush part after that. It's nearly due for the 90k mile trans service anyway, right?
I totally agree with what bmtechguy has too say, I think that your trans filter may be clooged, anytime my trans was acting up I would change the filter, you may have the felt type filter which is prone to clogging.
I hear what you're saying, but I guess that I'm not sure how the shift solenoid works - does transmission fluid run through it? If so, I would feel very confident that Auto Rx would correct the issue.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
My Turbo 350 has a vaccum modulator that trans fluid runs through, I would think that fluid runs through the shift solenoid. I would Google your transmission 5r55e and see what you find out. You may be surprised at the info you find.
Fluid does not necessarily run through the solenoid itself, but is all around it there in the pan. The solenoid operates a spool-type valve in the valve body directly, and if that spool valve has something hanging it up a bit, it can stick and cause shift problems. The clearance on those spool valves is extremely small. It takes nothing more than a tiny piece of lint to hang one up.
Yes, I'm still alive! I'm wondering what the "outside" limit is for running ARX in a transmission, I know that the application is 1000 miles. My shift solenoid seems to be acting up again, but I am 1400 from a flush (mileage wise, and financially!). I'm starting to wonder if I should just add the ARX now, in hopes that it will fix the problem before I cause some other problems. It will cost me around $50 (and probably $100 in fluid + filter) to replace both shift solenoids, but was hoping that ARX would do the charm.
I have had the transmission flushed every 30,000 miles, but the filter has only been changed once. The truck now has 88,6xx miles on it. Should I wait 400 miles or dump it now?
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
What do you have to lose / Auto-Rx can;t hurt anything add 6 ounces run it 1400 miles change out the transmission fluid refill with what you normally use drive 150 miles and post again. ( there is no rinse cycle with this application) and no need for a second Auto-Rx treatment.
I'm sure that I have nothing to lose, and have a bottle ready to go. I was just wondering if it was OK to run the product longer than the recommended 1000 miles in my transmission. So Frank, based on your response, I'll be putting it in today.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
I'm sure that I have nothing to lose, and have a bottle ready to go. I was just wondering if it was OK to run the product longer than the recommended 1000 miles in my transmission. So Frank, based on your response, I'll be putting it in today.
I had to abort (or more accurately waste 6 ounces of Auto Rx) the transmission cleaning. The transmission got to the point of not shifting into overdrive at all, so for fear of further damage I just fixed the problem. Two new solenoids, a new filter, fluid replacement/flush with Mobil 1 ATF, and two ounces of Lube Guard Shudder Guard seem to have corrected the issue.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
IMHO I would have used the ARX and drove it, if that was a possibilty. I don't know your type of driving or situation. I'd be willing to bet ARX would have fixed you up. At this point I'd still do the ARX now that you replaced the parts anyway.
It seems that the problem with the solenoid was electrical. After flushing the system, changing the filter, filling the transmission with Mobil 1 ATF, and seeing how clean the filter and pan were, I'm not going to do an Auto Rx treatment. It would also be very expensive/wasteful to replace the filter, gasket, and all of that fresh/expensive transmission fluid.
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2001 Ford Ranger, 4.0 V6. Mobil 1 0w-30, Motorcraft FL 820s filter, 3oz Auto Rx
