Overdrive switch short

Ariana,

Welcome back. As far as the OD, if I recall, wasn't the torque converter rebuilt? Also, did you get codes specific to the switch or OD?

Also, please read through pic 1 below. I think you may find it of interest. Additionally, pic 2 shows the pressure regulating solenoids' location in the transmission. Since we know the fluid is clean and full and the filter is new, there shouldn't be any restrictions.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Aamco told me the other day that my entire transmission was rebuilt with a new torque converter installed. And yes, the code was p1780, I’ll attach a pic.

Hi Ariana,

The code is for the overdrive switch, as you know. Have you checked the fuse for the OD switch? It is fuse 13 in the central junction box.

If you have already done that and it is good and has power, move to the switch itself and check for power in and out.

I attached the wiring schematic below for you to reference. I highlighted the fuse and wiring to and from the switch, and then the wiring from the PCM to the control solenoids.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.

Would that cause the shifting problem?

No, that would affect the overdrive only. It is very unlikely it would prevent the transmission from engaging.

Let me know.

Joe

I think I may just have to do it myself. What’s the best manual to get?

To rebuild the transmission I mean.

Ariana,

Don't worry about a manual. I can get you the directions for removal/replacement, disassembly, and reassembly. However, it is an extensive job, and I would feel really bad to have you do it when it's a pressure-related issue. But it's your call. I wish we could check the pressure before you take it apart. Also, you may want to see if you can find a good used one with a warranty because you are going to be putting some money into parts. I just don't want to mislead you.

Let me know which direction you want to go. I'm here either way.

Take care,

Joe

Well, that transmission shop told me when I asked if my warranty was good “technically no because of the work you’ve done to your car and because the guy fried your PCM, but if you want to bring the car here we will let you use the lift and teach you how to rebuild it yourself but you pay for parts and you do the work” so from that I figured that meant I need a rebuild.

That is a great idea, Ariana. Are you going to do it? Are you confident they won't leave you in the middle of the project?

I just spent an hour copying everything for the disassembly and reassembly of the transmission. I wanted you to have them. They are very extensive but relax. One step at a time and you'll be fine.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Wow, thank you. I don’t think I should have to pay for parts or do it myself honestly. I don’t see how the warranty is void. I have never touched my transmission. They just rebuilt it and it cost me 3200. I can’t afford that again. I can’t even afford the parts I’ll need. They should do it in my opinion.

Ariana,

I feel the person that crossed the battery terminals should pay for it. I really feel there is nothing wrong with the transmission other than a pressure issue related to the pressure solenoid. But I can't confirm without the pressure test.

If they rebuilt the transmission, the parts they used never would have worn out to this degree as fast. As a result, replacing all the parts in the above directions seems over the top.

Have you tried pricing a rebuild kit? Is there any way you could get a different pressure tester?

I'm here to help, so let me know.

Joe

PS: Have a good weekend.

What about the pressure switch? How would I test that?

Or is that what doing the pressure test would tell me?

Also, does it matter that I was using an engine compression tester? That’s the only thing that any store had in stock. It has the right size fitting and a gauge that goes up to 300.

You know what? To be honest, I trust your judgement more than anyone else that’s “helped” me with my car. Even if it’s not a line pressure issue, you have to start somewhere. I think you’re right, so I am going to just buy the part and replace it. Like I said, you have to start somewhere so even if this ends up being a lengthy process of elimination, at least I’m not just sitting here wondering what’s wrong. So, would you happen to know the part number? I’ll get it and start from there and if that doesn’t fix it then on to the next idea, lol.

Hi,

I look forward to hearing from you. LOL A compression gauge won't work. That is likely why it is leaking. Did you ask around at parts stores to see if they would lend one to you? Also, the shop that offered to help you, would they lend one to you?

I attached the part number from the manual and found one online for you. I would feel really bad if you made the effort to find it didn't work. Ugh!! I feel like I'm driving you crazy. LOL

Regardless, see if they will lend you a pressure tester. The part isn't really cheap, but you can likely find it for less than what I found.

Let me know and I hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Not driving me crazy at all. lol, but I meant the part number for the solenoid. I am just going to buy the part without doing the test because I’m pretty sure you’re right.

Oh, I didn’t look at the picture before I sent thatm lol.

There’s a 2009 Ford Explorer XLT that belongs to an old roommate that’s sitting in my driveway. She said I could take parts off of it because she is going to buy everything brand new, so I used some of her parts for my engine. Do you think her solenoid will work in my car if her transmission was fine or is this something I’d have to get brand new? I’m pretty sure it’s the same transmission.

Ariana,

I looked up the 2009 and the part numbers are different. If they were exactly the same, I would suggest switching the entire transmission and let her buy a new trans. LOL Or, tell her she needs a new transmission and give her your trans part number. LOL Just kidding.

You know, I am stressing over this. I don't want you to spend anymore and find I'm wrong. I feel like I've known you for a long time and in no way want to point you the wrong way. LOL

Regardless, I wish they would have been the same, but from what I'm seeing, they are different.

Let me know if, by any chance, the shop will lend you a pressure gauge. Also, please remember that I am basing this on the original problem, the battery incident. That is why I'm focused on the electronics.

Take care of yourself.

Joe

I’m sorry for your stress, lol. I really appreciate the help though. A lot. Let me tell you everything in order because maybe you’ll notice something that I’m missing.
1. The car kept stalling.
2. Had the mechanic change valve covers because he told me that’s what the problem was
3. Same thing happened.
4. Read a lot and had a friend help me investigate.
5. Found injector had broken pintle cap.
6. Replaced and car ran fine.
7. Hard shifting.
8. Trans rebuilt.
8. Ran okay but stalled twice while reversing.
9. Engine smoking.
10. Found valve covers themselves were warped and went in to change but ended up rebuilding engine.
11. Ran great for 3 days until trans cooler leaked.
Now these next 4 happened at the same time.
12. Replaced cooler and lines.
13. AAA reversed polarities.
14. Attempted to fix driver door speaker.
15. Overdrive button broke (just the little plastic piece that you push on the side of steering wheel).
16. Current issue.
17. Replaced PCM.
18. Realized how crappy my luck has been with this car.
All of this took place within the last two years.

Ariana,

The cooler lines weren't replaced because of a leak or cooler failure that would have run the transmission dry, correct?

I agree. You haven't had much luck with it. Every time you fix one thing, something other breaks.

Let me know.

Joe

No, i caught it right as it began. It started with the car parked in my driveway and I didn’t drive it after I saw it. Very little leaked out, but either way I filled the cooler and the transmission while it was at operating temperature before I tried to drive it.

Hi,

How could I have expected less? LOL Then I am back to a pressure issue. By chance, did you contact the shop to see if they will let you borrow theirs?

Joe

No, because tomorrow I’m planning to drop my transmission to change my rear main seal. That same shop told me not to leave the sleeve on when I installed the rear main even though everyone else said to leave it. I listened to that shop and it’s already leaking really bad just sitting in my driveway. Instead of pulling the engine again I’d rather just drop the transmission because I hear it’s way easier. And then I’ll buy the trans pressure tester. I found one for about $45.00 and it had 4.7 stars on the company’s website, so hopefully it’ll be okay.

My God, girl, you never stop. LOL Let me know how things turn out for you. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe

Apparently, I have to rebuild my engine again. The drive plate has worn down teeth and the bell housing have marks from it. I was told that means my crank and thrust bearing need to be replaced and that also is what caused my rear main seal to leak. I paid the machine shop that ended up screwing up my heads to grind my crank because they assured me, I could still use it because nothing was wrong with it. It all makes sense now because I had to replace the drive plate during the rebuild because it had a slight indent which I'm told was a contributing factor to my transmission needing to be rebuilt in the first place. So, I don’t really know what to do. I can’t afford to rebuild my engine again or to put a rebuilt one in. I just don’t know what I’m going to do at the moment.

Ariana,

If they cut the crank, did you use oversized bearings to match their cut? Also, how much in and out play is there at the crankshaft pulley?

Let me know.

Joe

Is cutting the same as grinding? Because they never said anything about cutting. All they said was $90.00 to grind the crank so I said okay, if it needs it then do it and then they told me I could use standard size bearings and everything which is why they didn’t bore the block and only honed it.

Ariana,

Grinding is the same. If they removed any of the surfaces, the original size would have allowed more clearance. Most times, the cranks are ground to .010, .020, .030, and even 0.40. If the crank was ground, I would have thought at a minimum a .010 oversized bearing would have been required.

If in fact the crank needed ground, I would have expected them to grind a specific amount to, you would know what size bearing was needed. If they took nothing, it didn't need ground.

Joe

So, they either lied and stole my money by not grinding it but telling me they did, or they set me up for failure from the beginning by grinding it and getting standard bearings? And actually, they got them for me. I just paid for them and then installed them after they gave me the block back.

Ariana,

I never heard of doing it that way. I just sent a question to two other techs here that I trust to see if they ever heard of it. I suspect they are going to laugh at me. LOL

I will let you know what they say.

Joe

No matter how long you’ve been doing anything in life, I have found that you should never stop asking questions and always remain teachable. Life would be boring if you knew everything. I ask a lot of questions always have and always will. So hopefully they won’t laugh at you they’ll just see it as an opportunity to tell you something you don’t know. I have never understood what is so funny about someone not knowing something lol. The best thing I have ever heard was a quote from Einstein. He said, “The important thing is to never stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” So, in my opinion no one should laugh just because you haven’t heard of something and are inquiring about it. Sorry if they do and thank you for risking it, lol.

Ariana,

I couldn't agree more. Also, I was correct. Crankshaft grinding always requires an oversized bearing. I've heard of having the crank polished which would allow the OEM size bearing, but not grinding.

Love the quote. Also, one of his quotes that always worried me is this, " "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones". Ugh!!!

Let me know how you make out with the crankshaft. If they did grind the crank, then we need to know what size the bearings should have been.

You take care of yourself. I wish you were a neighbor. LOL

Joe

Okay, wait. That sounds familiar so maybe that’s what they did. Whatever it was, it cost $90.00. I’ll have to take my skateboard over there tomorrow and ask them because they didn’t answer when I texted them today. Twice. Lol. Although, I do have a couple of theories. I had trouble with the woodruff key on my harmonic balancer. Looking at the pulley now, it looks banged up and it shouldn’t be because I only drove my car for a few days. My theory is that it’s my harmonic balancer behind all of it. I think it being damaged is causing the crank wobbling which made the flywheel hit the bellhousing. It probably also caused my oil leak. A leak which I thought was coming from my rear main only to find out that it’s actually coming from the back side of my upper oil pan. I found that out when I dropped my transmission the other day. My other theory is that either the crankcase, the oil pump drive that gave me so much trouble plus a valley full of oil, my leaking valve cover(all fixed except for the upper oil pan), or a combination of all 3, caused oil to leak onto the harmonic balancer which softened the rubber and caused it to chip off which made the crank wobble and made the flywheel imprint itself onto the inside of the bellhousing. If that's the case, then changing the balancer should fix the problem. That would spare me from having to figure out how to pay for parts for another rebuild. Are either of those theories plausible?

And yes, I wish I was too because then I’d finally have someone to help me figure this car out because it’s different when it’s right in front of you, lol. I’m about to see how much a tow would cost for across the country, lol.

Ariana,

Anything is possible. It is so hard to determine (like you said) when the car isn't in front of me. LOL

It's 2:00 AM here. Heading to bed so I can get up and do job #3 just so I can pay for gas. Ugh!!!

Take care of yourself,

Joe

I tried to send you a private message. Did you get it?

Ariana, I didn't receive anything. Have you made any progress with the Explorer?

Let me know.

Joe