I have a 97 Aerostar w/ 4.o v6 and the 5R55E transmission. The van has 189k on it and the trans was rebuilt several years ago at 118k. All of a sudden, one evening it decided not to go into reverse. We were lucky that the driveway we were in was on an incline and we coasted out into the street. I parked it for a few days and tried again, the first time it wouldn't engage; the next time it did, after a few seconds. It has been this way ever since. When the tranny is cold, it will sometimes engage, but rarely if it is warm. While driving it around today, I also started listening to the shift points while in Drive. 1st to 2nd seemed OK, but 2nd to 3rd did not occur until at least 35-40 mph. Since there is no tach, it sounded as if the RPMs were in the 3K-4K range. I then took it out on the freeway and the 2-3 shift was again at about 45mph and it stayed in 3rd until about 70 mph without shifting into 4th or OD. Coming back from that appointment, around town it stayed in 2nd consistantly to 40-45 mph and only a few times did it decide to shift into 4th or OD. I have been pretty good about keeping the trans fluids changed with the last change done at EZ Lube at 150k.

Does anyone out there have any experience with this kind of problem. I have been reading on this site about various problems with this transmission and would like an idea of which way to proceed. I know it is due for a fluid change but I don't want to waste the $100 to have someone do that if I have to get into it and change out some parts internally. Thanks!

1997 Aerostar 2WD 189k
1989 Bronco II 4WD 239k
1991 BMW 318i 242k (blown head gasket)
1988 Volvo 760 Turbo 230k (sitting - needs attention)
1993 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible 225k (weekend car - stole it for $800 w/all dealer receipts since new)
1994 Volvo 850 Wagon 180k (son's ride, we just dropped a used engine in it)
1987 Volvo 240DL Sedan 250k+(?) (son's 1st car, FI problem, he wants the state to buy it as a gross polluter)
and finally......
1999 Pinnacle 2910 Class A Motorhome 41k (Ford E53 V10 chassis)

 

go to the top of the page and click on Articles/Specs. in the transmission section you will find an article that address your problem and the fix.

 

Third and reverse use the same drum (direct drum). It sounds like the problem will be with that drum, don't waste your money on a fluid change its probably time for a rebuild