Best case scenario for DTC P0741

[Jennifer Fradella]

09 Expedition King Ranch (not EL), 3rd owner. Truck came from Southwest Texas. 133,158 miles the day I bought it and at the time of servicing. I live in Southeast Louisiana.

1st owner drove it to 122,000 miles then traded it in. 2nd owner bought it in 2015 and put an entire 11,000 miles on it while living in a retirement community, then passed away and willed it to his brother, who I then bought it from.

Bought about 5 weeks ago. Same day I bought it, brought it to shop for a tune up. Had the throttle body cleaned, spark plugs changed, radiator flushed, transmission serviced(changed out all the fluid, did not flush, they used the ford transmission service kit).

Green wrench light came on maybe 4-5 different, and random times:

**Mainly after driving 30-45 min, and on cruise control 65mph on the interstate.

**Has also come on another time while driving in town at regular speeds after driving that same amount of time.

**Has also come on after driving on the interstate, then stopping in front of a mall to drop my daughter off.

I have had the code checked 3 different times. 2 times when the light was on, it pulled the same code. 1 time with no light, it pulled no code.

I have asl run a vehicle history report while no light, and normal report. With the light, have it checked out report.

Wrench goes away when you turn off the truck.

Bringing it to transmission shop on Wednesday. Runs fine. Don’t want to feel like I’m looking for a problem, but trying to prevent one & hoping for the best case scenario.

Thanks in advance.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stamp11127]

Well...... the transmission control module may be located inside the transmission like the 2007's. If the module is bad it will be in the neighborhood of a grand. Hopefully it is just the solenoid that failed.

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

Well...... the transmission control module may be located inside the transmission like the 2007's. If the module is bad it will be in the neighborhood of a grand. Hopefully it is just the solenoid that failed.

Thank you so much for replying. I just would like to think I bought a good vehicle. I’d like it to last for years to come.

I’ve never driven an SUV until now, and my 3 year old son loves it, too. He calls it his monster truck bec he sits so high up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1955moose]

I call mine the green giant! Estate green Eddie Bauer with a 2 inch lift. Big chrome 20's. The fact that I am a little large myself, and my 5800 lb street sled running through San Fran, always gets people to look. Even Police look all the time, thank goodness I look like a motorcycle cop! Helps sometime , just nod at them, with the what's up look!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[Trainmaster]

Improper fluid level can give you this code intermittently. What hack changed the fluid? The level has to be checked and adjusted when the transmission is at operating temperature and the less schooled automotive service donkeys often don't know this and fail to fill the transmission to the proper level.

Another simple possibility is that the plug is loose, corroded or damaged and that just plugs into the outside of the transmission case.

Otherwise the pan would have to be removed from the transmission and the solenoid and its wiring checked. Either the wiring harness outside or inside the transmission could be bad or the solenoid might be bad. If either has to be replaced, it shouldn't cost much if the shop's honest. A good shop can check the wiring.

The transmission doesn't have to come out, just perhaps the pan removed.

Here in New York, virtually every shop will try to sell you a rebuilt transmission. Pass on any such diagnosis and find another shop. Avoid the franchise shops; many only sell rebuilt transmissions and have no idea how they work or how to make repairs.

Jennifer, you have a good car that will keep you and your little guy safe for many years to come...

- Eddie

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

In the best case, the plug is loose, corroded or damaged and that just plugs into the outside of the transmission case.

Otherwise the pan would have to be removed from the transmission and the solenoid and its wiring checked. Either the wiring harness outside or inside the transmission is bad or the solenoid is bad. If either has to be replaced, it shouldn't cost much if the shop's honest. A good shop can check the wiring.

The transmission doesn't have to come out, just perhaps the pan removed.

Here in New York, virtually every shop will try to sell you a rebuilt transmission. Pass on any such diagnosis and find another shop. Avoid the franchise shops; many only sell rebuilt transmissions and have no idea how they work or how to make repairs.

I believe the shop I’m bringing it to is an honest one. It’s a local transmission shop here where I live in Louisiana.

Does this just happen over time?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobmbx]

I believe the shop I’m bringing it to is an honest one. It’s a local transmission shop here where I live in Louisiana.

Does this just happen over time?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Things do fail as a function of time. A failed solenoid as indicated by the DTC is well within the realm of possibility for the age and mileage on your truck. I think most of us car veterans are suspicious of repairs based on a single symptom (in your case, a code with no apparent performance issue). I think we would prefer a physical change in the trucks behavior and then use the DTC to confirm our own experience-based diagnosis.

How many of these are you experiencing? I realize you just bought the truck and may not have a history to compare these with, but....oh well.

What are the symptoms of the P0741 code?

• Check Engine Light is on
• Increase of fuel consumption
• Symptoms that resemble those of a misfiring condition
• Car may stall out after driving at high speeds
• Car is unable to shift into high gear while at high speeds
• It is rare, but sometimes there are no symptoms present

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

Things do fail as a function of time. A failed solenoid as indicated by the DTC is well within the realm of possibility for the age and mileage on your truck. I think most of us car veterans are suspicious of repairs based on a single symptom (in your case, a code with no apparent performance issue). I think we would prefer a physical change in the trucks behavior and then use the DTC to confirm our own experience-based diagnosis.

How many of these are you experiencing? I realize you just bought the truck and may not have a history to compare these with, but....oh well.

What are the symptoms of the P0741 code?

• Check Engine Light is on
• Increase of fuel consumption
• Symptoms that resemble those of a misfiring condition
• Car may stall out after driving at high speeds
• Car is unable to shift into high gear while at high speeds
• It is rare, but sometimes there are no symptoms present

Maybe a decrease in fuel consumption? I feel like when I have taken off, a time or two, the RPMs sped up faster than the gas? No stalling, nothing else.

Should I should just leave this alone or let them check it out in case?

The light has not come on in about a week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Trainmaster]

Why do things break? Ask it when you find out what's wrong. If the outside wiring's messed up it could have been hit with something, or the plug could have leaked water and corroded. If the inside wiring's bad it could have been a manufacturing defect or been messed with when the pan was removed.

Things wear out, they break. Sort of like we do -- some of us sooner than others.

And there are a thousand more parts on that car just waiting to break. Some will, and some never will.

-Eddie

 

[Trainmaster]

If the shop's honest, ask them to check it out. Ask them to check the fluid level too. If you tell them it hasn't given you trouble in several weeks, they'll probably check the fluid and look over the external wiring and plug for a few bucks if anything.

I doubt anyone would tear the thing apart on the basis of an intermittent problem that hasn't surfaced in awhile. You can relax.

-Eddie

 

[bobmbx]

Maybe a decrease in fuel consumption? I feel like when I have taken off, a time or two, the RPMs sped up faster than the gas? No stalling, nothing else.

Should I should just leave this alone or let them check it out in case?

The light has not come on in about a week.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can you tell if your TC is locking or not? Thats what the solenoid controls.

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

If the shop's honest, ask them to check it out. Ask them to check the fluid level too. If you tell them it hasn't given you trouble in several weeks, they'll probably check the fluid and look over the external wiring and plug for a few bucks if anything.

I doubt anyone would tear the thing apart on the basis of an intermittent problem that hasn't surfaced in awhile. You can relax.

-Eddie

Thanks for replying with possibilities.

You’ve been a better help at easing my mind for now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stamp11127]

What causes the P0741 code?

• Faulty TCC
• Faulty torque converter lockup solenoid
• Internal short in the TCC solenoid
• Wiring to the TCC solenoid that is damaged
• Faulty valve body
• Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM)
• Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
• Damage of the wiring harness to the transmission
• Restricted hydraulic passages from dirty transmission fluid

Never found anywhere stating low fluid would cause this. Wouldn't hurt to change fluid and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[JExpedition07]

Transmission issues can be so hard to diagnose in these vehicles. I was having erratic shifting and quirky behavior and it was a wheel bearing, yes that's right a wheel bearing. My mechanic explained how the abs sensor was giving a squirly signal and until it locked itself out the ECM was making my tans act up. Been better ever since. I was just watching a. FordTechmakuloco video and he says you should have the transmission memory deleted on these trucks after a wheel bearing replacement to relearn the shift points.... my point is ANYTHING can throw off these transmissions lol.

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

Transmission issues can be so hard to diagnose in these vehicles. I was having erratic shifting and quirky behavior and it was a wheel bearing, yes that's right a wheel bearing. My mechanic explained how the abs sensor was giving a squirly signal and until it locked itself out the ECM was making my tans act up. Been better ever since. I was just watching a. FordTechmakuloco video and he says you should have the transmission memory deleted on these trucks after a wheel bearing replacement to relearn the shift points.... my point is ANYTHING can throw off these transmissions lol.

Do you think it’s just trying to “adapt” to my driving? It didn’t appear to be driven much while the 2nd owner had it. Was retired military, living in a retirement home in Texas, then died.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

What causes the P0741 code?

• Faulty TCC
• Faulty torque converter lockup solenoid
• Internal short in the TCC solenoid
• Wiring to the TCC solenoid that is damaged
• Faulty valve body
• Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM)
• Faulty Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
• Damage of the wiring harness to the transmission
• Restricted hydraulic passages from dirty transmission fluid

Never found anywhere stating low fluid would cause this. Wouldn't hurt to change fluid and keep your fingers crossed.

I had the transmission fluid changed already. Wrench came on that evening. I have no idea if it’s ever come on prior to that bec I had just bought it.

I prob should have waiting to get all that maintenance done until I had driven it a little longer, rather than the day I drove it home. Really aggravated with myself now for doing that so soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bobmbx]

I had the transmission fluid changed already. Wrench came on that evening. I have no idea if it’s ever come on prior to that bec I had just bought it.

I prob should have waiting to get all that maintenance done until I had driven it a little longer, rather than the day I drove it home. Really aggravated with myself now for doing that so soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I believe your truck requires MERCON LV tranny fluid. These trannys are highly sensitive to fluid type, and if the wrong fluid is used the effects can be strange. Check your receipt and make sure they used the correct fluid. And by wrong fluid, I mean anything other than Motorcraft MERCON LV.

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

Can you tell if your TC is locking or not? Thats what the solenoid controls.

Idk how I would be able to tell. How would I be able to tell? It’s driving normally when the light appears.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jennifer Fradella]

I believe your truck requires MERCON LV tranny fluid. These trannys are highly sensitive to fluid type, and if the wrong fluid is used the effects can be strange. Check your receipt and make sure they used the correct fluid. And by wrong fluid, I mean anything other than Motorcraft MERCON LV.

They did use Mercon LV.

I did also bring it back to the same shop 500 miles later bec I did feel some kind of misfire after taking off (a handful of times) between 1250-1600 RPMs that had not happened prior to the transmission being serviced. (The green wrench appeared right after the 1st time I brought it to them...the very next day as I was driving on the interstate, in the pouring down rain, on top the spillway. But, idk if the light had ever appeared to the prior owner, or if it was just time for it to appear). Who knows.

At this time, they sucked the fluid back out and added a friction modifier, then refilled it with Mercon LV. It has not had that misfire feeling since.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Trainmaster]

Bring it to a transmission shop and have them change the fluid. There should be no "friction modifier" in it and it can cause damage. That can well be your problem. Find shops that know what they are doing. These people are hacks.