2005 Ford Focus Replacing Transmission Solenoids

FOCUS1

MEMBER
2005 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
63,000 MILES

I have a 2005 Ford Focus A/T 4-door ZX4 SE, and its not a lawn ornament.
Okay so truth be known I drive the mountains in Alaska often and since there aren't troopers I drive really fast and hard. Now my tranny started slipping into neutral while in drive, only when I get up to a good speed about sixty. And its not a hard slip but when I slow down ten mph its goes back. A few weeks later I was leaving the store but it wouldnt go into reverse. I pushed it backward and drove it home in drive (not O/D).
Been reading about this problem all day and the OBD2 gave me the P0771 solenoid E performance stuck off code. It was a generic scanner but a good one; my manual says generic readers arent always able to read transmission codes. Was wondering about the accuracy. Any way Im ready to rip into the tranny and replace the Solenoid E & A just to be sure after what I've read. If Im on the right track and the solenoid is the problem, then I have only one question... How do I get to them? Do I have to remove the tranny? What side of the tranny are they on. I dont want to do any extra work to replace these things and I've read that its relativelt easy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
Levi

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,384 POSTS

Hello .. thanks for the donation .. much appreciated

P0771..SSE Functional Failure (Stuck OFF) Mechanical or hydraulic failure of the shift solenoid.

Main Controls

Removal

Remove the fluid pan. For additional information, refer to FLUID PAN, GASKET AND FILTER.
Disconnect the transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor electrical connector.
Remove the fluid filter.
NOTE:It is necessary to note the location of the main control wire harness connectors so they can be connected in the same positions. Connector color letters are cast into the solenoid body.

Remove the ground wire bolt. Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the main control wiring harness.
Solenoid SSC; Color N (Neutral/White).
Solenoid SSE; Color G (Green).
Solenoid SSD; Color L (Blue).
Solenoid EPC; Color B (Black).
Solenoid SSA; Color N (Neutral).
Solenoid SSB; Color B (Black).
NOTE:Note the locations of the 2 long bolts.
Fig. 86: Removing Main Control Valve Body And Accumulators

Remove the main control valve body and accumulators.
NOTE:Each accumulator is equipped with 2 springs. All 4 springs are different sizes.

NOTE:Note the size and location of the accumulator springs to aid assembly.

NOTE:Note the shape of each piston and the piston bore from which the piston was removed. The shape and size will vary depending on application. The piston must be installed in its correct bore during assembly.
Remove the accumulator pistons and springs.

Installation
NOTE:The thin longer springs are for the neutral and drive accumulator.

NOTE:Accumulator bore and pistons are matched by depth; some pistons may have steps. Install the pistons in the same bore as removed.

Install the accumulator pistons and springs.
Accumulator 1 and 2.
Accumulator N and D.
CAUTION:Make sure that the manual valve is in the manual control valve shift lever.

NOTE:Do not fully tighten the main control valve bolts at this stage.

Install the main control valve body.
Tighten the main control valve body retaining bolts.
Tighten the bolts in the sequence shown.
Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
NOTE:It is necessary to connect the electrical connectors in the same positions as noted in disassembly. Connector color letters are cast into the solenoid body.

Install the main control valve wiring harness, connect the electrical connectors and install the ground wire bolt.
Solenoid SSC; Color N (Neutral/White).
Solenoid SSE; Color G (Green).
Solenoid SSD; Color L (Blue).
Solenoid EPC; Color B (Black).
Solenoid SSA; Color N (Neutral).
Solenoid SSB; Color B (Black).
Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Install the fluid filter.
Connect the TFT sensor electrical connector.
Install the fluid pan. For additional information, refer to FLUID PAN, GASKET AND FILTER.

Hope this helps