Transmision 5R55S) Solenoid pack clarification on 06 Lincoln LS

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dylmadbry

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I have a 2006 Lincoln LS Sport (3.9L, V8) with 131,000 miles on it. The car is displaying classic symptoms of the solenoid assembly going bad. A few write ups in here says the solenoid can be replaced and it's not too difficult. And I saw a nice detailed write up on how to remove it on an 04 LS (but he removed the tranny). I'm not experienced but I can follow directions and I am patient. However dropping the transmission was not an option in my garage.

I borrowed a floor jack and 2 more jack stands and got under there. Removed the pan. Fluid had some wear on it but was not bad. Not a shred of metal shavings in the pan or on the magnet. I removed the filter. Got to the solenoid with no problem.

There was no reverse pressure switch to remove, nor a bottom plate. I removed the screws with no problem. It's then I discover the connector comes down through the bore hole into the solenoid. I spent hours trying to get my hand in the very small void above the bore hole and solenoid with no luck. I gave up as I ran out of time this past weekend and had to put everything back together (with a new filter and a new drain plug).

I read the service manual for solenoid replacement on the deneau site and it specifically said to lift up on the solenoid while removing the connector.

It seems impossible to do this without removing the transmission for access. A

Am I missing something very fundamental? Is there a trick to it? Or does the transmission have to be removed on the 06 make of the LS?

Anyone who has successfully replaced this is welcome to offer their thoughts.

Thanks,

Dylmadbry
 
When removing the solenoid block, the very first step before removing any of the pan bolts is to remove the connector. It is a horribly tight fit. I have a ratcheting 10mm wrench that I cut down to fit into that space, and even then it takes some familiarity with it to remove the connector proficiently. It sounds like you already have the solenoid block loose, so you might need to bolt it down in a few places to be able to get to the connector from the top.
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
When removing the solenoid block, the very first step before removing any of the pan bolts is to remove the connector. It is a horribly tight fit. I have a ratcheting 10mm wrench that I cut down to fit into that space, and even then it takes some familiarity with it to remove the connector proficiently. It sounds like you already have the solenoid block loose, so you might need to bolt it down in a few places to be able to get to the connector from the top.
Click to expand...

Definitely glad I read this. Changing my shift solenoid is a spring time project I had planned. I would've done this process wrong as well. Thanks
 
Thanks Josh. How much did you cut your wrench down? I'm thinking of tackling it again this weekend. I could feel the bolt up there. But barely. I have very large hands. I'm concerned I still won't be able to get it. But I really appreciate the response.
 
dylmadbry said:
Thanks Josh. How much did you cut your wrench down? I'm thinking of tackling it again this weekend. I could feel the bolt up there. But barely. I have very large hands. I'm concerned I still won't be able to get it. But I really appreciate the response.
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I think it is a little less than 3" long at this point. I probably could have made it a bit longer, so you may want to try cutting it down a few times to see what fits best. If you can, use one hand to feel the 10mm bolt and hold the ratcheting end in place. Use your other hand to wrestle with turning the wrench. It might be really tough at first, but once you break it loose you will get the knack of it pretty quick. Be forewarned that the bolt will seem to be a foot long; you will be spinning it off a lot longer than you think possible!
 
JoshMcMadMac said:
Be forewarned that the bolt will seem to be a foot long; you will be spinning it off a lot longer than you think possible!
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Yea..... A couple of degrees per turn makes for an extended period of wrenching!!!!! Kind of like that lower, driver's side bolt on the coil cover!
 
LS4me said:
Yea..... A couple of degrees per turn makes for an extended period of wrenching!!!!! Kind of like that lower, driver's side bolt on the coil cover!
Click to expand...

Just finished my coils last night. I left this bolt off, will never go through that battle again.
 
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