Poor Idle is driving me crazy!

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

This is almost like asking how to make a car run without a functioning transmission.

Actually that comes up every day on the Ford Explorer forum

[jayman]

Just keep flooring it. The transmission will eventually "catch" and go into gear. Or, you'll grenade the transmission. Either way, problem solved

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by jayman

Just keep flooring it. The transmission will eventually "catch" and go into gear. Or, you'll grenade the transmission. Either way, problem solved

Actually that's just the beginning of the problems:

98 Auto Transmission PROBLEM! HELP! - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations

I have a 98 XLT that had a blown overhead 4.0 engine. I replaced the engine with a 4.0 Non overhead out of a 96 XLT. I left the orig. transmission in the 98 and put the 96 ECM (Computer) in the 98. The truck runs great with the exception of not starting with the key...I have a push button now . THe security light and OverDrive light on the dash constantly flash. It will not shift out of first gear when in drive. It will however shift to 2nd gear if you leave the shifter in first. Will not shift to 3rd and beyond either way.

The lights on the dash do go out if I install the 98 ECM but then the engine runs like total crap.

I do have a good 96 transmission that would prob. solve my shifting problems....but I sure don't want to have to swap it right now if I don't have to.

Any ideas? What wire do I need to run where?

He has more trouble than I can deal with:

My reply:

98 trans is a 5R55E (5 sp), 96 trans is a 4R55E (4sp). Flashing OD light means DTC (diagnostic trouble code(s)) are set for trans.

96 PCM is not compatible with 98 Trans. 96 PCM may or may not be compatible with 98 Emission controls (I would bet not)

I would either pick 96 PCM, 96 emission equip on engine and 96 trans or pick 98 PCM, 98 emission equip on engine and 98 trans. Mixing the two confuses the PCM.

I see at least half a dozen bad transmission posts a day. A lot of them have already had it rebuilt at least once.

[Patrick Wong]

Hey Jason,

I sold my 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 AWD w/4 speed automatic overdrive at 95K miles, in mid-2005 after I bought the HiHy. The transmission had been solid up to that point, absolutely no issues. Do you find that drivetrain combination has lots of reported problems?

[dogfriend]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Hey Jason,

I sold my 1997 Ford Explorer XLT 5.0L V8 AWD w/4 speed automatic overdrive at 95K miles, in mid-2005 after I bought the HiHy. The transmission had been solid up to that point, absolutely no issues. Do you find that drivetrain combination has lots of reported problems?

No, the V8 is paired with the 4R70W which is a much stronger transmission. Those seem to be relatively bulletproof. The 4.0L V6 got the bad transmission(s).

The 1st gen Ex (91-94) had the A4LD (which was based on the C3, a Pinto trans). Those transmissions fail regularly.

The 2nd gen (95-96) got the 4R55E which is an electronically controlled A4LD. They were upgraded to be a little stronger, but are failing rapidly now. From 97 - 01, they used the 5R55E, which has another gear between 1st and 2nd, making it a 5 speed plus some other upgrades to make it a little stronger. I have 119k on mine, but I see that a lot of them fail before that.

The 3rd gen (02+ ) with IRS uses the 5R55W which is sealed without a dipstick. Apparently Ford believed that they had improved the design enough that regular checking of the fluid level and condition was not necessary. Apparently they were wrong, because I am seeing more posts on failed 3rd gen transmissions as time goes on.

[jayman]

Reminds me of the debacle GM had when they went to the 700-R4 (Remarkably weak and unreliable), or Ford with their first AOD in the LTD (Hit the brakes hard on the highway, brakes lock up, overdrive won't disengage, motor stalls, power steering quits, crash, etc), or how about those flimsy transaxles in early to mid 1990's Dodge minivans.

The car makers have known how to build solid and reliable automatic transmisions for over 40 years. GM had the TH350 and the stump-pulling TH400, Ford had the C6, and the Ford C5 was ok, Chrysler had the 727. These were fairly simple transmissions, as far as automatics go, and with somewhat routine servicing would last a long, long time

[dogfriend]

I ran across another sad story this morning:

Newbie Needin Some Guidance - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations

It is actually kind of amazing: Ford can build decent transmissions as evidenced by some of the other models, but for the Explorer, they can't seem to extract their cranium from their poop hole. I guess that the transmissions usually make it through the warranty period, and that is all that matters to management. My understanding is that Ford will soon stop production of the truck based Explorer and replace it with a crossover type SUV.

[jayman]

"Cranium in poophole" That would be a good Truth In Advertising jingle

[dogfriend]

I can't think of anything to rhyme it with. Maybe Stev0 can work it into a jingle.

[vertex]

Sorry about the 5v part. I did mention it in another post a few months ago. I thought about the 5 v balance, but I tried a lab supply, and varied the voltage, no help.
I will try disconnecting the MAF, didn't know about the default map. Based on the tests I ran, I am leaning towards a vacuum leak. I brought it to a shop with a smoke machine. At first they were enthusastic about working on the car, they liked the challenge. Then they came to me with a list of things that were wrong. I had to go through them point by point in the Toytoya manual, and explain why they were not wrong. After that, they todl me they wouldn't work on the car. They wouldn't even do the smoke test for the vacuum leak, which is all I asked them to do to begin with.