10R80 transmission “stuck” between gears

[TORQUERULES]

So I thought I would try something a couple of mornings this week. On the first shift in the morning, on Monday, I accelerated to just before getting to the shifts that are wonky (first shifts when cold), and stopped the truck (it never got the chance to shift into those gears). I then immediately started going again and let it shift through all the gears and there were no wonky shifts. Yesterday (first shifts/cold), I tried accelerating quickly up until it got to those shifts, and then let off letting it shift from 3-4-5 while coasting, and those shifts were smooth and quick. No issues at all going forward. With my tune it does not have wonky first/cold shifts in the 3-4 or 4-5 shifts all the time, but sometimes it does. Kind of depends on throttle application and its mood that day. I think my experiment is enlightening though.

All of this makes me thing the main culprit, if not the only, of this issue (weird first shifts when cold) is part of Ford's baked in PCM strategy that might take a complete rewrite to fix. Ford's reflash does not help as it comes back, and a tune like mine will help, especially after those first shifts, but it can still remain in some form.

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[9zero1790]

Mine will be in to the dealer tomorrow. Hold my beer boys.

hope it goes. i am interested to see what they say.

 

[9zero1790]

So I thought I would try something a couple of mornings this week. On the first shift in the morning, on Monday, I accelerated to just before getting to the shifts that are wonky (first shifts when cold), and stopped the truck (it never got the chance to shift into those gears). I then immediately started going again and let it shift through all the gears and there were no wonky shifts. Yesterday (first shifts/cold), I tried accelerating quickly up until it got to those shifts, and then let off letting it shift from 3-4-5 while coasting, and those shifts were smooth and quick. No issues at all going forward. With my tune it does not have wonky first/cold shifts in the 3-4 or 4-5 shifts all the time, but sometimes it does. Kind of depends on throttle application and its mood that day. I think my experiment is enlightening though.

All of this makes me thing the main culprit, if not the only, of this issue (weird first shifts when cold) is part of Ford's baked in PCM strategy that might take a complete rewrite to fix. Ford's reflash does not help as it comes back, and a tune like mine will help, especially after those first shifts, but it can still remain in some form.

i had similar results. I did a tune and the shifts were better and only occasional shift issue after until it slowly became more frequent. my guess is it starts out as pcm issue and then after a while the stress, heat, and delays in shifting smoothly end up making mechanical damage.

 

[TORQUERULES]

i had similar results. I did a tune and the shifts were better and only occasional shift issue after until it slowly became more frequent. my guess is it starts out as pcm issue and then after a while the stress, heat, and delays in shifting smoothly end up making mechanical damage.

Agreed. Guess they really didn't long term test this transmission with actual consumer programming. Or they just didn't care and believe most people will trade before failure and not realize their transmission has always acted improperly.

 

[9zero1790]

i hope the pcm thing fixes it. I plan on picking mine up tomorrow and im hoping for the best. trying not to be a pessimist lol.

 

[Shoran12]

i hope the pcm thing fixes it. I plan on picking mine up tomorrow and im hoping for the best. trying not to be a pessimist lol.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. I’m hoping they can figure out what’s going on with my truck after I drop it off tomorrow. I can’t tell if it’s multiple issues or just one thing. Hate having to burn vacation days at the dealership.

 

[9zero1790]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. I’m hoping they can figure out what’s going on with my truck after I drop it off tomorrow. I can’t tell if it’s multiple issues or just one thing. Hate having to burn vacation days at the dealership.

apparently the transmission issue is really common. the service writer literally laughed when i started explaining. which tells me shes heard it several times before - or she thought i was a dummy lol.

 

[TORQUERULES]

It is sad that this has been a known issue since these came out years ago (before the 5g Ranger, btw) and it has never been fixed. All Fords with this transmission have similar issues. Often some differences between models, but still similar. Chevy owners complain too, just look at their forums. I did some digging, and it is there for them too. Different symptoms sometimes, but still issues and failures.

 

[TORQUERULES]

They need to simplify the programming, take out the adaptive crap and just make it shift with simple parameters like speed, load, rpm, etc. And find a way to manage trans temps better to make it less dependent on a goldilocks temperature to shift correctly and survive.

Oh, and for vehicles with tall tires, like our trucks, 8 speeds is enough. 9-10 are useless IMHO.

 

[AzScorpion]

It is sad that this has been a known issue since these came out years ago (before the 5g Ranger, btw) and it has never been fixed. All Fords with this transmission have similar issues. Often some differences between models, but still similar. Chevy owners complain too, just look at their forums. I did some digging, and it is there for them too. Different symptoms sometimes, but still issues and failures.

You're right I've been slumming over at the Chevy forum trying to get info on the transmission and the new Colorado. "Supposedly" they updated the transmission for this new gen so with production already started (1/25/23) we should be getting some feedback on the updated ones in a few months. One thing they did was they updated only certain models with certain updates. There's a video in the link where it explains this but basically he says the higher hp/tq motor in the Z-71 and ZR2 feel perfect while the lower ones feel better but still could use some improvement. I do agree 8 speed is definitely the way to go with these!

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/02/did-gm-fix-the-2023-chevy-colorado-8-speed-transmission-video/

 

[JasonTremor]

You're right I've been slumming over at the Chevy forum trying to get info on the transmission and the new Colorado. "Supposedly" they updated the transmission for this new gen so with production already started (1/25/23) we should be getting some feedback on the updated ones in a few months. One thing they did was they updated only certain models with certain updates. There's a video in the link where it explains this but basically he says the higher hp/tq motor in the Z-71 and ZR2 feel perfect while the lower ones feel better but still could use some improvement. I do agree 8 speed is definitely the way to go with these!

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/02/did-gm-fix-the-2023-chevy-colorado-8-speed-transmission-video/

They are using the 8l45 version in the low power 2.7 and the revised version they are calling the 8l80 in the mid and high output 2.7 trucks. I had the 8l45 in my 2019 Colorado ZR2 V6 and it shifted flawlessly when compared to the 10r80 in our Rangers.

 

[AzScorpion]

They are using the 8l45 version in the low power 2.7 and the revised version they are calling the 8l80 in the mid and high output 2.7 trucks. I had the 8l45 in my 2019 Colorado ZR2 V6 and it shifted flawlessly when compared to the 10r80 in our Rangers.

I read and watched the video a few weeks ago, you're right I forgot they used two different transmissions. It was then engine I had on my mind which is one 2.7 but tuned (and also a few other things on the work truck) differently as you go up in models. What's nice is if you get the Trail Boss you can get it flashed for $500 I think and it'll bring you up to the same specs as the ZR2 310 hp/430 tq.

 

[Shoran12]

apparently the transmission issue is really common. the service writer literally laughed when i started explaining. which tells me shes heard it several times before - or she thought i was a dummy lol.

Well truck won’t be looked at for three days or so. Had to do some convincing to get me a rental car. Enterprise gave me a Frontier X. I asked the guy before leaving the dealership if they’ve been having a lot of transmission issues since they’re so backed up. He said with the 10 speeds yes and gave me a look.

 

[ishman1995]

Good evening,

My 2022 4x4 Tremor with stock tires and gearing has developed an interesting transmission issue: it seems to get “stuck” between gears at times and no amount of throttle (gentle application or heavy throttle) seems to get it out of this state until the trans decides to apply power again.

Originally I had very hard shifts when cold, neck snapping and unnerving (almost like you got hit by somoene) but a complete “lack of power” is something new that’s cropped up.

At 5-10mph, rolling through a neighborhood, the unit sometimes acts like it’s not even hooked up to the drivetrain, which is dangerous if you have to cross an intersection. The “slip” has now lasted for many seconds and even up to 5-10 seconds while the software (assuming Torque Management) appears to be “limiting” until it can figure out what to do.

What follows is either a hard shift, no shift at all until the next lower gear “catches” due to slowing down from coasting, or a proper re-engagement into gear.

This doesn’t happen when warm, only in the first 5-10 miles of driving.

Has anyone had this exact issue before?

I've had a similar issue. I believe it is just dirty used tranny oil. The service interval says 150k miles but that is straight bs. No transmission should ever go that long without a fluid change especially if ever towing or riding it hard. I posted a picture with the color of my tranny fluid which smells completely burnt let me mind you. This is after 62k miles. I plan on changing fluid, filter, and having it flushed ASAP.

 

[Msfitoy]

I've had a similar issue. I believe it is just dirty used tranny oil. The service interval says 150k miles but that is straight bs. No transmission should ever go that long without a fluid change especially if ever towing or riding it hard. I posted a picture with the color of my tranny fluid which smells completely burnt let me mind you. This is after 62k miles. I plan on changing fluid, filter, and having it flushed ASAP.

What method did you use to take this reading? Cold running or full temp running?

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