04' Ford Explorer - 4.6l Automatic 4x4 - 138,000 miles... While driving today my transmission hesitated a long time between 2-3 gear and RPM went higher than normal. After coming to a stop a taking off again, long hesitation, slams into 3rd gear, check transmission warning came on and OD light on dash was blinking. I drive it home and pull the code: P0745. I drop the pan and find a piece of metal 1/4 wide x 1/2 long. Does this mean a complete trans rebuild?

 

P0745 Ford - Pressure Control Solenoid Malfunction - OBDII Engine Light Trouble Code | AutoCodes.com

 

A rebuild I'm afraid.
That chunk of metal belongs somewhere.
Have them sleeve the solenoid bores while they are in there.

Known design flaw.

 

Our '04 explorer had a new Ford trans installed 7 months ago with 52k miles. It was recalled it's first year for wrong trans fluid used at factory, wife didn't drive much so wasn't damaged 'enough' to be replaced, they did change fluid twice under warranty for shifting issues.... then it stopped going in to gear.... dealer tore it apart unable to repair all bores scored and needed new trans. $4k no discount from prior issues since it was 11 years old now..

Wife likes my diesel excursion with 145k miiles more now since I've barely spent $4k on all my upgrades..

 

Wow... that sucks!


I just dropped $2795 on a remanufactured trans with 3yr/50,000 mile warranty.


Can I vent for a minute?...


I love Ford's, own 3 of them. My '96 Explorer was by far my best vehicle I've ever owned. God I miss that thing!


My '04 Explorer is the biggest piece of junk I've ever owned! Every problem I've ever read about on this forum has happened to my Explorer, and then some. Let go down the list...


Problems that shouldn't have happened:


1) Overhead console mounting bracket dry rotted and came crashing down while driving.
2) Both sun visor brackets dry rotted and fell apart.
3) Rear hatch panel is cracked.
4) Left rear coil spring broke
5) Radio volume controls on radio don't work. Must use controls on steering wheel and they only work half the time.
6) CD player broke. 3 disks stuck in unit. Won't eject.
7) Heat doesn't work worth a crap. "Very little" heat up front, zero heat in the back.
8) Transmission crapped out at 138,000 mile (w/regular maintenance performed). When I sold my '96 w/218,000 miles, trans was still running strong.
9) Passenger side heated seat won't turn off.
10) Parking break release handle dry rotted and fell apart.
11) Driver side seat recline handle dry rotted and fell apart.
12) Small wire attached to starter corroded preventing the car from starting.


Problems from regular wear-and-tear...

1) All 4 wheel bearings shot at <100,000 miles
2) Upper ball joints dry rotted at <100,000 miles
3) Alternator went at 137,000 miles (All Ford alternators seem to go around the 130,000 mile mark.
4) Left rear brake caliper froze up.
5) I think I'm starting the hear the rear diff. making some noise.


As you can see, a lot of cheap, low quality materials were used in the 2004 model year Explorers.


Thanks for listening, I feel better now, I think?

 

I just reused your list.... but will add...
driver front wheel bearing replaced a year ago..