Issue Summary:

• This month, we start off with some complaints on Ford 4R44E/4R55E/5R55E units. Delayed engagements and/or slipping may be caused by a missing extension housing lube orifice plug. Insufficient oil to the forward-clutch circuit can cause delayed forward engagement on 4R44E/4R55E units, and no forward engagement in the overdrive range may be because a bore plug in the valve body was installed backward.
• A lack of clutch capacity for the overdrive clutch in a Ford E4OD may cause premature failure of the overdrive clutch.
• We also have some information on Ford E4ODs with missed shifts that scan tools reveal as “No Codes Present.”
• Defective thermostats can cause no converter-clutch applications on Honda Civics and Accords.

Some vehicles equipped with the 4R44E/4R55E may exhibit delayed engagements in forward & reverse and/or a slipping condition.

One cause may be that the extension housing lube orifice plug may have been left out of the valve body causing a loss of line pressure.

Remove the valve body and ensure that the extension housing lube orifice plug is in the proper location, as shown in Figure 1.

Note:

In the event the extension housing lube orifice plug is lost or missing and has to be replaced, the orifice size is 0.020 in.

Some vehicles equipped with the 4R44E/4R55E may exhibit delayed forward engagement.

One cause may be an insufficient volume of oil fed to the forward clutch circuit.

• (1) Remove and discard the forward engagement control-valve spring as shown in Figure 2.
• (2) Replace the pressure-regulator spring with a yellow pressure-regulator spring from the valve body of an A4LD transmission as shown in Figure 2.

Note:

If the yellow pressure regulator spring from an A4LD valve body is not available, some aftermarket A4LD valve-body kits contain a PURPLE pressure-regulator spring that can be used in place of the yellow A4LD pressure-regulator spring.

Some vehicles equipped with the 4R44E/4R55E may exhibit a no forward engagement condition in the Overdrive range but will move in manual 2nd, Low, and Reverse.

One cause may be that the bore plug that retains the forward modulator valve in the valve body was installed backward.

Remove the valve body and inspect the forward modulator control valve line-up and ensure the retaining plug between the forward modulator control valve spring and the EPC boost valve is installed correctly as shown in Figure 3.

Some vehicles equipped with the E4OD transmission may exhibit premature failure of the overdrive clutches, especially heavier loaded vehicles.

The cause may be not enough clutch capacity for the overdrive clutch.

Install three clutches in the overdrive clutch pack by purchasing a thinner, 0.320-in.-thick backing plate to replace the previous 0.490-in.-thick backing plate. The three-clutch backing plate is available under OEM part number F3TZ-7B066-A. See Figure 4 for both two-clutch and three-clutch stackups.

• Overdrive Clutch Backing Plate (3 Clutch) . . . . . . F3TZ-7B066 – A
• Overdrive Clutch Backing Plate (2 Clutch) . . . . . . E9TZ-7B066 – B

After rebuild, any vehicle equipped with the E4OD transmission may exhibit a condition of “missed shifts” on 2nd, 3rd and/or 4th gears. The scanner reveals No Codes Present, and when manually shifting with an aftermarket shift box the same condition exists.

The cause may be one or more of the accumulator regulator valves sticking, all of which are located in the accumulator valve body. See Figures 6 and 7. The hydraulic diagrams in Figure 5 will illustrate the hydraulic effect of a sticking accumulator regulator valve.

Remove the accumulator valve body and inspect the accumulator regulator valve for the particular shift that you are concerned with. If the 1-2 shift was missing, and you have a 1991 model or later, ensure that the spring-loaded screen is in the case under the main spacer plate. If none of the accumulator valves seems to be sticking. it may be necessary to replace the complete accumulator valve body. Ensure that you install the proper accumulator valve body for the model that you are working on, as they will not interchange. The 1989-1994 models are identified with “E9” or “F4” in the casting number, and 1995-1997 models are identified with “F5” in the casting number. See Figures 6 and 7.

A complaint of no converter-clutch application on 1996-97 Honda Civics (except HX Models) and 1996-97 Honda Accords (except V-6 Models) when the weather is cold.

The vehicles received marginally defective thermostats from the factory that will keep the engine from reaching normal operating temperature in cold weather, which in turn will inhibit converter-clutch application.

Perform the following test procedure according to Honda factory bulletin 97-025:

• (1) Wait until engine has cooled, then connect scan tool to the OBDII Data Link Connector located under the driver’s side of the dashboard next to the kick panel on Civic Models (See Figure 8), and in the center console on Accord Models (See Figure 9), then follow scan tool menu instructions until data is displayed on the scan tool.

• (2) Start engine and drive vehicle while observing engine-coolant temperature on the scan tool.

• (3) Engine temperature should reach 176° F (8° C) within 10 minutes of driving.

Note: The values in step 3 are calculated when outside temperature is below 30° F (-1° C).

• (4) Continue driving to ensure engine reaches normal operating temperature.

• (5) If steps 3 and 4 have failed to reach the desired values, replace the thermostat (See Figures 10 and 11) and refill radiator with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.

• (6) Drive vehicle again and check the scan tool data to see whether engine-coolant temperature has reached normal operating temperature and that the TCC solenoids have turned on.

• Honda Thermostat and Gasket Kit. . . . 19301-P08-316

February 2000 Issue
Volume 17, No. 2

• Ford 4R44E/4R55E/5R55E: Delayed Engagements And/Or Slipping
• Ford 4R44E/4R55E: Delayed Forward Engagement
• Ford 4R44E/4R55E: No Forward Engagement In The Overdrive Range
• Ford E4OD: Premature Overdrive Clutch Failure (Increased Capacity)
• Ford E4OD: Missed Shifts
• Honda Civic And Accord: No TCC Application