Ranger wildtrak 3.2l 6 speed auto gearbox troubles

[Fred86]

Hi all, first time posting here after searching and reading through threads all night.

From the uk and i have a 2017 ranger wildtrak 3.2 with the 6 speed auto gearbox. Only done 35000 miles. Most threads i have came across are problems with 10 speed gearbox.

Maybe a long shot but here goes. Most of the time its fine but 10% of time it doesnt go into gear when put in drive then "check parking pilot", followed by "see manuel" and then alot of extra revs it goes without the parking sensers working and returns to normal and warnings go away later. I thought at first the gearbox was maybe on way out but seems related to the parking sensers, could it be electrical? Also maybe 20% of the time the engine management light comes on at the exact same time. One time it wouldnt move untill i moved it into the low box. When i move the gearstick to drive and the D on the dash doesn't illuminate or sometimes flicker i know it wont move. Sometimes when driving the warning messages come up and the gearbox performs erratically not changing it, until it all returns to normal. Also 3 or 4 times when driving, warning lights up i have had the odd slight thud, similer to a 5 gallon drum rolling forward in the back. When it does it the gearbox it a bit jumpy moving grear selection. When it does it, it takes extra revs to get away, maybe going into a high gear or the low box?

So after i searched for suggestions last night i took the round 3/4 turn plug out the gearbox, cleaned it up and put back in. Took for a run maybe 20 mile and it was perfect on a dry road. This morning done it again although it was pretty wet too, in drive wont move, left it in Drive position, rolled in bellow shook the round and 3 smaller wire connectors. Then it was in drive properly and warning lights off, moved away fine. Not sure if it was just time or if i actually done something. Tried disengaging parking sensers before selecting drive but still does it and trying to drive in sport mode seams to be the same.

I am no expert at all but i dont think its the gearbox alone and more electric fault. Im worried it went and moved into the low box at high speed, etc. I have it booked into garage but not till the 8th of January.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

sFred

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[Kristina]

Hi.
Only really few members here are from Europe, and we have a little different Rangers than they do in the States. (Ok, a "little"? )
I guess you don't have Forscan in your hands to read codes?
Here's a thread about 2.3 EU diesel Wildtrak tranny https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/not-in-gear-problem.23474/,
The 2.0 diesel Wildtrak I had it was 2022 and 10 speed, 10R80.

I don`t fully understand all the issues and symptoms you describe but the truck won't heal by itself and the trouble you have there is not temporary thing for sure. What I think the parking sensors are not related and higher revs are not good, may indicate to automatic transmission failure.
My only suggestion here is to take her in service and be prepared for not good news, examination will give you correct answer.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Hi.
Only really few members here are from Europe, and we have a little different Rangers than they do in the States. (Ok, a "little"? )
I guess you don't have Forscan in your hands to read codes?
Here's a thread about 2.3 EU diesel Wildtrak tranny https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/not-in-gear-problem.23474/,
The 2.0 diesel Wildtrak I had it was 2022 and 10 speed, 10R80.

I don`t fully understand all the issues and symptoms you describe but the truck won't heal by itself and the trouble you have there is not temporary thing for sure. What I think the parking sensors are not related and higher revs are not good, may indicate to automatic transmission failure.
My only suggestion here is to take her in service and be prepared for not good news, examination will give you correct answer.

This is everything I love about the ranger5g forum. Someone can go from “What the heck kind of place, and people, did I just stumble upon?” to dispensing good advice to new members, especially RoW Ranger advice, in seemingly no time flat. ? ?

 

[Cmar]

Your box and engine would be the same as mine ( 3.2 litre i5 diesel, and 6R80 auto) So some things it could be.
Check your battery, condition and connections, if it's on the way out, it will cause the box to randomly go into limp mode. This brings on starting in a higher gear, warning lights, and the thump you describe. Happened to me.
Check the oil level and condition on your auto, the 6R80's didn't seem to have near as many issues as the 10 speeds do, but they did have a few, mostly due to Ford cheaping out on a few of the original ZF parts specifications.
The lead frame in the 6R80 boxes was known to go bad, causing random gearbox shift errors. The part is not horrifically expensive but can be hard to track down as it was rather unfortunately a not uncommon problem. At least it can be replaced without tearing out the box. The valve body was also known to wear leading to sluggish and sticky shifts. This was because the aluminum alloy used was very soft. (although 35,000 miles sounds a bit low for this)
The seal at the back of the box ( the one that seals the round plug you mentioned) has also been known to go bad leaking trans fluid into the plug, attracting dirt and thus bad contacts.
Some of these cars had issues with the lock up torque converter which can cause the thump you described.
Check the seal around the transfer shift motor, if water gets in there it can cause all sorts of funny issues.
Good luck.

 

[Fred86]

Your box and engine would be the same as mine ( 3.2 litre i5 diesel, and 6R80 auto) So some things it could be.
Check your battery, condition and connections, if it's on the way out, it will cause the box to randomly go into limp mode. This brings on starting in a higher gear, warning lights, and the thump you describe. Happened to me.
Check the oil level and condition on your auto, the 6R80's didn't seem to have near as many issues as the 10 speeds do, but they did have a few, mostly due to Ford cheaping out on a few of the original ZF parts specifications.
The lead frame in the 6R80 boxes was known to go bad, causing random gearbox shift errors. The part is not horrifically expensive but can be hard to track down as it was rather unfortunately a not uncommon problem. At least it can be replaced without tearing out the box. The valve body was also known to wear leading to sluggish and sticky shifts. This was because the aluminum alloy used was very soft. (although 35,000 miles sounds a bit low for this)
The seal at the back of the box ( the one that seals the round plug you mentioned) has also been known to go bad leaking trans fluid into the plug, attracting dirt and thus bad contacts.
Some of these cars had issues with the lock up torque converter which can cause the thump you described.
Check the seal around the transfer shift motor, if water gets in there it can cause all sorts of funny issues.
Good luck.

Thanks, i clippedand and cleaned up that round connecter going into transmission and the one on the back of the transfer box. Last 3 trips its been fine.

Untill tonight, driving up a fairly steep and twisty road it came up "see manual" and the wrench/spanner symbol. At that point it wasnt changing gear well and when i moved it into sport/manual mode it wouldn't change gear and tell me the gear selection number either. 1/4 of a mile later all returned to normal.

Think i will try a new battery next....?

 

[Fred86]

Still trying to figure this out. Looks like the transmission range sensor but at £800 and no one is sure i am not sure what to do. Maybe unrelated to parking sensors. One minute drives 100% next time out goes into limp etc. View attachment 204845

 

[Msfitoy]

 

[paul chivers]

Hello thanks for letting me join your forum I’ve been looking and reading these posts as I own a wildtrak 2017 3.2 auto with the same symptoms as others. I have currently taken the vehicle to a gearbox specialist who has changed the valve body, which the truck now drives far better, and now I still have a problem with the parking aid not allowing me to select gears intermittently. Any help would be appreciated, many thanks.

 

[wayne61]

Still trying to figure this out. Looks like the transmission range sensor but at £800 and no one is sure i am not sure what to do. Maybe unrelated to parking sensors. One minute drives 100% next time out goes into limp etc. View attachment 204845

Hi, did you figure out the solution? I have very similar issue, auto recently serviced and looked good. Now chasing electrical connections etc. Any update would be appreciated.

 

[littlelis]

Still trying to figure this out. Looks like the transmission range sensor but at £800 and no one is sure i am not sure what to do. Maybe unrelated to parking sensors. One minute drives 100% next time out goes into limp etc. View attachment 204845

Hi. Did you find the problem with this? Word for word it’s happening to me. I’ve just been quoted $5,000 to put in a new sensor in the transmission. And have been warned it could cost more. I’m at my whits end ?

 

[Msfitoy]

Hi. Did you find the problem with this? Word for word it’s happening to me. I’ve just been quoted £5,000 to put in a new sensor in the transmission. And have been warned it could cost more. I’m at my whits end ?

For that price, you're better off to replace the entire transmission...it comes with a new sensor too!

 

[littlelis]

That’ll be about $7-9,000. I haven’t got that kind of money either. Think I’m just gonna get rid of it. It’s been nothing but a headache. Only 5years old. 46,000 on clock

 

[Loppy]

Had very similar issues. Would get the see manual and spanner. Wouldn't change gear in auto or manual and wouldn't show gear number. Had to stop turn off and restart would be fine for a good while then repeat. Code was faulty speed sensor. This was attached to the lead frame inside the box. Changed lead frame oil and filter and problem solved. 900 euro at local mechanic. 2017 wildtrack 3.2 6 speed auto.

 

[littlelis]

Got a garage to fit a reconditioned one. Saved a bit on that. Just hope I don’t have any more costly problems.

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