Ford Diagnostic Information

Thermal Element Function

4R/5R55E/5R55W/S/N

Some technicians may be confused as to how the hydraulic cooler bypass systems works on some Ford transmissions.

There has been times when the thermal element or fluid cooler bypass sleeve may stick and cause internal components to fail without setting any temperature related codes.

This same problem may also cause an intermittent lockup code P0741

Some after market reprogramming kits may supply a block to keep the fluid cooler bypass stroked in the normal temperature position.