Six-solenoid set for the Ford 5R55E, 4R44E and 4R55E automatics in 1997-2011 Ranger, Explorer and Mazda B-series trucks.
If your Ford Ranger, early Explorer or Mazda B-Series pickup is slamming into second, refusing overdrive, or lighting the check engine light with a shift solenoid code, the electrical side of the valve body is usually the first place to look. This is a complete six-piece solenoid set for the 5R55E and its relatives, the 5R44E, 4R55E and 4R44E. It covers the 1997-2011 Ranger, the 1997-2001 Explorer, the 2001-2005 Explorer Sport Trac, the 1997 Aerostar, and the Mazda B2300, B2500 and B4000 trucks built on the same case. You get four small on/off shift solenoids and the two larger solenoids that run line pressure and converter clutch apply, so you can replace the whole electrical set in one pan drop instead of guessing which coil is weak.
The 5R55E grew out of Ford's A4LD, and unlike the later 5R55W and 5R55S it does not use a one-piece solenoid block. Each solenoid is its own part, seated in a bore on the valve body and held by a bracket. The computer switches the shift solenoids on and off in combinations to stroke the shift valves, pulses the EPC solenoid to set line pressure for every load and throttle position, and modulates the TCC solenoid to lock and release the converter clutch. When a coil weakens or a seat wears, the computer still sends the right command, but the valve it feeds never moves fully, so the shift arrives late, harsh, or not at all. The pieces in this kit have aluminum bodies, molded plastic connector ends and port O-rings already fitted.
Keep in mind that this family has hydraulic failures that look electrical. Worn servo bores cause slipping and ratio codes such as P0735, and worn valve body bores leak pressure no matter how good the solenoids are. New solenoids will not cure either one.
Start at the case connector. Look for bent or green pins and fluid wicking up the harness, then measure each solenoid's resistance through the connector and compare the readings to each other. A coil that reads open or far off its partners is your culprit. Next, check line pressure with a gauge. Low or unstable pressure with good electrical readings points toward the valve body itself, not the solenoids. Our 5R55 harsh or delayed shifts walkthrough goes through the order of tests so you can separate solenoid, valve body and servo problems before spending money.
The listing covers the 5R55E, 5R44E, 4R55E and 4R44E in the 1997-2011 Ranger, 1997-2001 Explorer, 2001-2005 Explorer Sport Trac, 1997 Aerostar, 1997-2010 B2300, 1998-2001 B2500 and 1997-2010 B4000. Ford used more than one of these transmissions in the same truck lines, so read the tag on the driver side of the case to confirm which unit you have. Before installing, lay each old solenoid beside its replacement and match the body shape and connector. It does not fit the 5R55W or 5R55S used in 2002-up Explorers, Mountaineers, Mustangs and the Lincoln LS; those take a bolt-on solenoid block. If you are not sure, send us your year and VIN. Everything we carry for this family is on the 5R55 parts page.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
If your Ranger has the five-speed automatic, it is the 5R55E family this kit is listed for, which covers 1997-2011 Ranger. Check the tag on the transmission case to confirm, or send us your year and VIN and we will check it.
No. Explorers and Mountaineers from 2002 on use the 5R55W or 5R55S, which has a single bolt-on solenoid block instead of individual solenoids. This kit is for the 1997-2001 Explorer and the other 5R55E-family trucks listed.
Six pieces: four small on/off shift solenoids and the two larger solenoids that handle line pressure control and torque converter clutch apply. They come with the port O-rings already installed.
Mercon V automatic transmission fluid. Replace the filter and pan gasket at the same time and check the level hot with the engine running.
Check the harness and case connector first, then test line pressure. If pressure is low or unstable, the valve body bores are likely worn and need a repair kit or a remanufactured valve body. Ratio codes like P0735 often point to servo bore wear, which solenoids cannot fix.
