Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2008 Ford Explorer 2WD V8-4.6LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Transmission Position Sensor/Switch: Service and Repair
Digital Transmission Range (TR) Sensor - 5R55S
Removal
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the selector lever cable shield by prying on the side of the selector lever cable shield closest to the boot, then sliding the selector lever cable shield away from the boot.
3. Move the rubber boot back to gain access to the digital transmission range (TR) sensor electrical connector.
4. Disconnect the digital TR sensor electrical connector.
5. Remove the selector lever cable from the manual control lever.
6. Remove the outer manual control lever.
7. Remove the digital TR sensor.
Installation
1. CAUTION: The digital transmission range (TR) sensor must fit flush against the boss on the case to prevent damage to the sensor.
Install the digital TR sensor and loosely install the screws.
2. CAUTION: Tightening one screw before tightening the other may cause the sensor to bind or become damaged.
NOTE: The manual lever must be in the NEUTRAL position.
Using the special tool, align the digital TR sensor and tighten the screws in an alternating sequence.
^ Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-inch).
3. Install the outer manual lever.
^ Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
4. NOTE: When installing the selector lever cable, make sure that the selector lever cable locking tabs are locked in place and the selector lever cable end is snapped onto the ball stud. Press the selector lever cable into the bracket and listen for the selector lever cable to click in place. Pull back on the selector lever cable to make sure that it is locked into the selector lever cable bracket. Also make sure that the selector lever cable end is correctly installed onto the ball stud. Pull back on the selector lever cable end to make sure that the selector lever cable end is correctly installed.
Install the selector lever cable to the manual control lever.
5. Connect the digital TR sensor electrical connector.
6. Move the rubber boot back over the TR sensor electrical connector.
7. NOTE: If the selector lever cable shield is loose on the selector lever cable, install a new selector lever cable shield.
Install the selector lever cable shield.
8. Verify that the selector lever cable is adjusted correctly.
Removal
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Remove the selector lever cable shield by prying on the side of the selector lever cable shield closest to the boot, then sliding the selector lever cable shield away from the boot.
3. Move the rubber boot back to gain access to the digital transmission range (TR) sensor electrical connector.
4. Disconnect the digital TR sensor electrical connector.
5. Remove the selector lever cable from the manual control lever.
6. Remove the outer manual control lever.
7. Remove the digital TR sensor.
Installation
1. CAUTION: The digital transmission range (TR) sensor must fit flush against the boss on the case to prevent damage to the sensor.
Install the digital TR sensor and loosely install the screws.
2. CAUTION: Tightening one screw before tightening the other may cause the sensor to bind or become damaged.
NOTE: The manual lever must be in the NEUTRAL position.
Using the special tool, align the digital TR sensor and tighten the screws in an alternating sequence.
^ Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-inch).
3. Install the outer manual lever.
^ Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
4. NOTE: When installing the selector lever cable, make sure that the selector lever cable locking tabs are locked in place and the selector lever cable end is snapped onto the ball stud. Press the selector lever cable into the bracket and listen for the selector lever cable to click in place. Pull back on the selector lever cable to make sure that it is locked into the selector lever cable bracket. Also make sure that the selector lever cable end is correctly installed onto the ball stud. Pull back on the selector lever cable end to make sure that the selector lever cable end is correctly installed.
Install the selector lever cable to the manual control lever.
5. Connect the digital TR sensor electrical connector.
6. Move the rubber boot back over the TR sensor electrical connector.
7. NOTE: If the selector lever cable shield is loose on the selector lever cable, install a new selector lever cable shield.
Install the selector lever cable shield.
8. Verify that the selector lever cable is adjusted correctly.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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