Main Control Valve Body - Accumulator Body, Solenoid Body: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: If the transmission has been disassembled to replace worn or damaged parts, and the valves in the main control valve body stick repeatedly from foreign material, the torque converter must be removed and cleaned by using a suitable torque converter/fluid cooler cleaner.

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with an auxiliary battery, both the negative and positive battery cables must be disconnected.

WARNING: On vehicles equipped with a 7.3L engine, both the primary and secondary batteries must be disconnected.

ALL VEHICLES

NOTE: All gasoline vehicles will have new adaptive shift strategies. Whenever the vehicle's battery has been disconnected for any type of service or repairs, the strategy parameters that are stored in the keep alive memory (KAM) will be lost. The strategy will start to relearn once the battery is reconnected and the vehicle is driven. This is a temporary condition and will return to normal operating condition once the powertrain control module (PCM) relearns all the parameters from the driving operating conditions. There is no time frame set for this process. If a concern is present during down shifts or converter clutch apply, it is not the shift strategy and will require diagnosis as outlined in the workshop manual.

The customer needs to be notified that they may experience slightly different upshifts (either soft or firm) and that this condition is temporary and will eventually return to normal operating condition.
Disconnect the battery. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
Remove the transmission fluid level indicator.

Fig 1: Removing Transmission Fluid Level Indicator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Raise and support the vehicle.

7.3L DIESEL

Remove the bolts and remove the heat shield.

Fig 2: Removing Heat Shield
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

ALL VEHICLES

CAUTION: Check the electrical connectors for terminal condition, corrosion and contamination. Repair or install new as required.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Connector

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Disconnect the connector.

CAUTION: Check the electrical connectors for terminal condition, corrosion and contamination. Repair or install new as required.

Fig 4: Disconnecting Connector

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Disconnect the connector.

VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FLUID PAN DRAIN PLUG

Remove the drain plug and allow the fluid to drain.

Fig 5: Removing Drain Plug
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Do not discard the gasket unless damaged. This is a reusable gasket.

Fig 6: Removing Transmission Fluid Pan And Gasket

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the transmission fluid pan and the gasket.

VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FLUID PAN DRAIN PLUG

NOTE: Do not discard the gasket unless damaged. This is a reusable gasket.

Fig 7: Removing Remaining Bolts And Fluid Pan

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Drain the fluid and remove the transmission fluid pan and the gasket.
1. Loosen, but do not remove, the bolts.
2. Remove the front and side bolts.
3. Lower the front of the fluid pan and allow the fluid to drain.
4. Remove the remaining bolts and the fluid pan.

ALL VEHICLES

NOTE: After removal, discard the filter and seal assembly.

Fig 8: Removing Filter And Seal

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the filter and seal assembly by carefully pulling and rotating the filter as necessary.

CAUTION: Be careful not to scratch or damage the aluminum bore. The new seal may leak.

Fig 9: Removing Seal Using Special Tool

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

If the seal remains in the pump bore, remove it carefully with a small screwdriver so as not to scratch or damage the aluminum bore.
Remove the accumulator body bolts and nuts.

Fig 10: Removing Accumulator Body Bolts And Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Prevent the front of the valve body separator plate from sagging and displacing the check balls.

Fig 11: Installing Bolt Into Any Case Threaded Bolt Hole On Opposite End Of Separator Plate

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

If the valve body separator plate is not being repaired:
1. Remove the bolt.
2. Install bolt into any case threaded bolt hole on the opposite end of the separator plate.

NOTE: Do not remove the lower-to-upper main control valve body assembly retaining bolts. Keep the main control valve bodies attached as an assembly.

Fig 12: Removing Main Control Valve Body

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the main control valve body.
1. Do not remove the lower-to-upper main control valve body bolts.
Remove the solenoid body assembly.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the nut.
3. Remove the solenoid body assembly.
Fig 13: Removing Solenoid Body Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the solenoid screen assembly by rotating and pulling it.

Fig 14: Removing Solenoid Screen Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: The steel electronic pressure control (EPC) check ball is spring-loaded under the valve body separator plate.
If replacing the valve body separator plate, remove the bolts and the separating plate reinforcing plate.

Fig 15: Removing Bolts And Separating Plate Reinforcing Plate
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lower the valve body separator plate and the gaskets carefully, to retain the rubber check balls and the steel EPC check ball and spring assembly.

Fig 16: Checking Ball And Spring Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.