Transmission does not work in reverse?

2010 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

85,000 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

TF43

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Have the vehicle listed above, VIN 1FMEU3BE3AUF03175
Transmission Tag: 9L2P 7000 CA
5R55S
Problem: No Reverse
All Forward gears engage.
Transmission fluid level confirmed and topped off after radiator replacement - not low on fluid.

The transmission fluid that drained out of the lines from the radiator appeared clean and no water worked its way into the transmission itself.
Transmission fluid looks nice and red yet, and no grit felt in it.

Had a scanner run on it, no codes found related to the transmission. The mechanic that scanned the system questions some voltages. When in all forward gears the voltage for torque lockout would drop to zero, which appears normal, but reverse would remain at around 5 volts. If I'm explaining that correctly. No PO7 related codes were present.

When shifting through the gears, the scanner was picking up the correct gear selection, so figure the range sensor would be okay at that point.

Out of ideas at the moment.

Jul 16, 2022 at 3:24 PM

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It sounds like the transmission is burnt up; I would replace it with a rebuilt unit. here is a video that can help with instructions below to help you with your car:

https://youtu.be/3vJAojsrfuU

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Jul 17, 2022 at 11:20 AM

TF43

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What puzzles me is the fluid doesn't smell or appear burnt. It has all working forward gears. I'm going to pull the pan and check for grit in the pan itself, try another filter and go from there before I have to pull it out.
If the tang on the band snapped off, where do they normally fall into? You'd hear it rattling around wouldn't you??

Jul 17, 2022 at 3:24 PM

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It should end up in the pan but not always, I don't think you would hear the part rattling.

Jul 18, 2022 at 9:47 AM

TF43

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Is it possible for a faulty range sensor to cause no reverse?
All forward gears work correctly, 1st, 2nd 3rd, all forward gears will engage.

Aug 12, 2022 at 2:22 PM

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yes, this is possible, here is the location and how to replace it so you can check it out. Let me know what happens.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Aug 13, 2022 at 11:15 AM

TF43

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Installed a new Range Selector with no change. I do not have that alignment gauge, but there is a marking for neutral. The line that is embedded on the part...installed per what was found on YT about installing with the alignment markings...
Still no reverse. So, I suppose it is either burnt up in the reverse clutches.
What are the odds of a failed solenoid pack, or sticky solenoid?? When you shift into reverse it feels like it wants to go, but then it lets go. A friend put his scanner on it and mentions something about a slip ratio
"The slip ratio that I was getting a reading on in reverse. All forward gears would read zero when brake was applied, But Sunday after shifting it P, R, N and back a couple of times Rev went to zero. Only for a very short time, then would read around 1.5 / 1.8 volts??"

Image (Click to enlarge)

Aug 15, 2022 at 12:03 PM

TF43

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Just to add, you answered some questions from Dann Stark about the same transmission. He's the mechanic that has been helping out with this thing. Conclusion appears to be reverse clutches burnt out. Just my luck, sigh. thanks for all the input. Guess it is find another transmission locally, if available, or search car-parts.com and ship one in.

Aug 15, 2022 at 5:38 PM

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Yep, it's all you can do, at least we tried to save it and the money; sorry it didn't work out. Here is how to do the removal and replacement:

This video can help as well

https://youtu.be/3vJAojsrfuU

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Images (Click to enlarge)