LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Ford >> 2015 >> Explorer Limited, 3.5L Eng VIN 8, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 1 (Automatic Transmission - 6F35) >> Description And Operation >> Electrical System - 6F35 >> Component Description

Component Description

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

Sensors and Switches 

The TCM controls the electronic functions of this transmission. The TCM receives input signals from engine and transmission sensors and uses these inputs to control line pressure, shift time, TCC and shift solenoids.

Item  Description 
TFT Sensor This sensor is located in the transmission solenoid body. It is a temperature-sensitive device called a thermistor. The resistance value of the TFT sensor will vary with temperature change. The PCM monitors the voltage across the TFT sensor to determine the temperature of the transmission fluid. The TCM uses this initial signal to determine whether a cold start shift schedule is necessary. The cold start shift schedule allows delayed shifts when the transmission fluid is cold to help warm the transmission fluid. The TCM also inhibits TCC operation at low transmission fluid temperatures and adjusts line pressure for temperature.
TR Sensor The TR sensor has a 6-pin electrical connector. The TR sensor is located on the inside of the transmission at the manual control lever. The TR sensor sends a signal to the PCM to start the vehicle in PARK and NEUTRAL. The TR sensor opens/closes a set of 4 switches that are monitored by the TCM to determine the position of the manual control lever.
TSS Sensor This TSS sensor is a Hall-effect pickup that sends a signal to the TCM that indicates transmission turbine shaft input speed. The TSS information is compared to engine RPM to determine TCC performance. TSS is also compared to OSS to determine shift quality and clutch performance.
OSS Sensor The OSS sensor is a Hall-effect pickup, located on the transfer shaft drive gear, that sends a signal to the TCM to indicate transmission output speed. The OSS is used for shift scheduling. OSS is also compared to TSS to determine shift quality and clutch performance.

Solenoid Body 

The solenoid body contains 7 solenoids: 5 shift solenoids (SSA, SSB, SSC, SSD and SSE), 1 TCC solenoid and 1 LPC solenoid. The TFT sensor is located in the solenoid body. The solenoid body is serviced as an assembly.

The solenoid body has a unique strategy data file that must be downloaded to the TCM. There is a 7-digit solenoid body identification and a 13-digit solenoid body strategy for each solenoid body. When a new solenoid body or transmission is installed, the scan tool must be used to get the solenoid body strategy data file and download it into the TCM.

If the TCM is replaced and the TCM data cannot be inhaled or exhaled, the solenoid body identification and solenoid body strategy must be downloaded into the TCM.

This transmission uses 3 types of solenoids: On/Off, normally low and normally high. On/Off solenoids open or close hydraulic passages based on the voltage signal it receives. Normally low solenoids provide hydraulic pressure proportional to supplied current. A normally low solenoid will not provide pressure without current, while it will supply high pressure with high current. Normally high solenoids provide pressure inversely proportional to supplied current. Normally high solenoids provide full output of pressure with no current and very low pressure with high current.

ON/OFF Solenoids 

GFD35548Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Item Description
SSE Normally closed solenoid that blocks SOL FEED pressure from the SSE circuit. When energized, pressure from the SSE circuit positions the multiplex shift valve to direct CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low reverse clutch.

Normally Low Solenoids 

GFD35549Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Item Description
SSA SSA blocks SOL FEED pressure from the SSA SIG circuit when low current is supplied. When energized, SSA SIG pressure positions the CB1234 clutch regulator and boost valves to direct CB1234 SUP pressure to apply the forward clutch.
SSC SSC blocks SOL FEED pressure to the SSC SIG circuit when low current is supplied. When energized, SSC SIG pressure positions the CB26 clutch regulator valve to direct CB26FD/CB1234FD pressure to apply the intermediate clutch.
TCC The TCC solenoid is used in the transmission control system to control the application, modulation and release of the torque converter clutch. The TCC solenoid blocks SOL FEED pressure to the TCC SOL SIG circuit when low current is supplied. When energized, TCC SOL SIG pressure positions the TCC reg apply and control valves to direct REG APPLY pressure to apply the torque converter.

Normally High Solenoids 

GFD35550Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Item Description
SSB SSB feeds SOL FEED pressure to the SSB SIG circuit to position the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator and boost valves to apply the direct (3, 5, R) clutch. When energized, SSB blocks SSB SIG to position the direct clutch (3, 5, R) regulator and boost valves to release the direct (3, 5, R) clutch.
SSD SSD feeds SOL FEED pressure to the SSD SIG circuit to position the CBLR/C456 regulator and boost valves to apply either the low/reverse clutch or the overdrive (4, 5, 6) clutch. When energized, SSD blocks SSD SIG to position the CBLR/C456 regulator and boost valves to release either the low/reverse clutch or the overdrive (4, 5, 6) clutch.
LPC The LPC solenoid is used to apply resistive force to the main regulator valve to adjust line pressure. Line pressure is inversely proportional to the current supplied to the LPC solenoid. As current decreases, line pressure increases.