Digital transmission range sensor location

BRAINSY

MEMBER
2010 FORD EXPLORER
4.6L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

Hi folks,

Occasionally when I try to start my vehicle it will appear that I am trying to start it while not in park or neutral. In other words, everything works but turning the key to start yields absolutely nothing. I have found that lots of shaking the shift lever solves the problem, and I am thinking that the Digital Transmission Range Sensor or Neutral Safety Switch (I think those are two names for the same thing) needs to be checked. Question: where is this on the vehicle listed above? It is not where the cable hooks onto the side of the transmission. Thanks for any clues you can give.
Brainsy

5 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Sounds like you are on the right path. I attached the process for adjusting the TRS because I would suggest doing this first. If it needs to be replaced clearly you will know where it is after the adjustment.

Let us know what happens. Thanks

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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 5:43 PM

BRAINSY

MEMBER
6 POSTS

You are right. I now know where the TRS is. It's a Ford 6R80 transmission, and the sensor is inside the housing, part of something called a Lead Frame which is attached to the valve body, and with no means to adjust as far as I can see. I made sure the cable is in good condition and secure, but other than that I think its a matter for the transmission specialist to do some testing and maybe I will end up having them change the lead frame. Sounds expensive. :(

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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 10:40 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

I should have assumed you had the more difficult one. The 5R55 is more common which is what the process was for. However, you are correct, that the TRS on your vehicle is part of the lead frame module assembly which is part of the TCM. I attached the process if you need it.

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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 7:56 PM

BRAINSY

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thank you for that great information package!
My transmission repair guy cannot find any reason to justify the expense of replacing the lead frame in my transmission. He found no wiring problems and he found only one related diagnostic trouble (code P0705). And I haven't had any repeats of the no-start situation at all since I first wrote to you a couple weeks ago.
Here's another question: could this no-start situation have been a problem with the Ford Securilock security system? Do those systems sometimes act up sporadically?

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Tuesday, July 21st, 2020 AT 7:42 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

It is unlikely that it would act up like this. You most likely would have seen your theft light staying on solid or flashing if that was causing the issue. However, based on that info, I agree 100% that I would not do this either if this is not an ongoing issue. It may fail completely one day but I am of the school of thought that I don't repair anything until it needs it.

Let us know what happens if this ever surfaces again. This link will always work to take you back here if this ever acts up again.

Thanks for the update. We really appreciate people coming back to update us.