S5 Solenoid Replacement - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

batfastard · 07-20-2004, 00:55

Well I've tried over at the other forum, so I guess i may as well try here too :-)

I have an EBII auto with a harsh 1-2 and 3-4 gear change.

The most likely culprit is the S5 solenoid.

So, I have the solenoid, now how is it installed?

Apparently the Valve Body needs to come out. Is this a big job? Lots of small intricate parts ready to leap out at the first provocation? My Gregory's manual is next to useless for this job.

Waiting with baited breath...

RaceCraft · 07-20-2004, 01:19

nope just a few torque screws and your away.. always try and keep the valve body parallel to the ground.. there are a few small nylon balls floating around but if you keep the shim on the top and keep it flat you'll be ok

batfastard · 07-20-2004, 01:21

Cool, thanks for the tip.

Any idea what the torque settings on those bolts are?

gregaust · 07-20-2004, 01:24

15 Nm

batfastard · 07-20-2004, 01:41

Champion!

Thanks for that!

Moses · 07-20-2004, 04:49

S5 will not fix your 3-4 harsh shift. It will only affect 1-2 shift quality. may be a bit too premature to blame S5, make sure band adjustments are correct first, and check for large amounts of metal in bottom of pan, you may find that there is internal wear from either high mileage or if you find copper in the pan it could be the radiator cooler that has let go causing the wear.

batfastard · 07-20-2004, 20:17

While talking with a tech from the local ford dealer, he suggested resetting the trans computer.

this actually fixed the 3-4 shift, but not the 1-2 shift.

the reset works like this:

start the car, leave handbrake on.

shift to N and switch to POWER mode
shift to 1 and switch to ECONOMY mode
shift to 2 and switch to POWER mode
shift to 3 and switch to ECONOMY mode
shift to D and switch to POWER mode.

If that doesn't work, try doing the same thing, but starting in ECONOMY mode rather than POWER mode (and then 1/POWER, 2/ECONOMY etc) - he couldn't remember which one you're supposed to start with.

INJECTED250 · 07-21-2004, 04:02

The most common cause of harsh shifts is the vps (variable pressure solenoid) solenoid, its at the rear drivers side of the auto, there about 200 dolars new, and most of the time wont show up on a scanner.....
but it could be any thing causing it, but id say most likely its this

Dellboy999 · 07-21-2004, 04:07

batfastard · 07-21-2004, 15:34

ok - great photo, thanks for that.

now the S5 is at the top left by the looks of it.

how do you get the fscker out?