Transmission slipping and rough shifts

[ccasanova22]

Yes, just drain and fill. Be that through pumping it out or with a drain plug.

I usually just drain and fill regularly and have had no issues.

But there are folks that believe in unhooking the cooling lines from the radiator, starting the engine to pump 1 quart out, then add 1 quart, then start engine again - isn’t this just a glorified “drain and fill” or are there benefits to letting the engine pump more fluid out?

Id think 4 quarts drain and fill x 2 would be equal to 8 quarts using the engine to pump it out, no?

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[Stevedbvik1]

I usually just drain and fill regularly and have had no issues.

But there are folks that believe in unhooking the cooling lines from the radiator, starting the engine to pump 1 quart out, then add 1 quart, then start engine again - isn’t this just a glorified “drain and fill” or are there benefits to letting the engine pump more fluid out?

Id think 4 quarts drain and fill x 2 would be equal to 8 quarts using the engine to pump it out, no?

5G Rangers don’t have fluid lines to the radiator so this isn’t an option. They have a side mounted cooler on the transmission and the fluid feed is internal.

 

[jayroderusprime]

I got mine booked mid-month to address shifting issues, though it was tough to notice. Had some weird shifting during towing (Tow mode was on!) and then more issues came during colder weather this fall, intermittent throughout. Was originally troubleshot using an older TSB 23-2250 in September. Symptoms were confirmed, service advisors reassured me the majority just need a main control valve body overhaul with new parts to stop sticky valves. Parts were on backorder, along with other TSBs I wanted done.

SO, that TSB was revised in November, which cuts the reading a bunch and narrows down the model list slightly. TSB 23-2350 is the new number, worth a read for anyone who got work done the past couple years. I also notice changed steps applicable to the vehicle's production date, and if you are low enough on the odometer, a full transmission swap can be approved if the dealer doesn't want to do any heavy work.

I will know more in a couple weeks!

Update:

Dealer had the main control overhauled, plastic pan replaced due to cracking, filter replaced, filled and test drive done to their satisfaction. Odometer in/out on the work order shows only 2km, so I wasn't ready to take that 'test drive' seriously.

Initial drive leaving the dealer was notably better shifting from 5-10, modulating quickly between gears on demand. Then I started to pick the behavior apart with my weekend driving. Regardless in drive or sport, 3rd gear flares on acceleration after the shift is done, happens every time. 7th will stick a lot, lagging uphill and needs some good throttle to kick down. random hard up/downshifts. I am aware skipping gears 2 and 4 are a normal behavior in pattern when accelerating, the issue is purely 3 and 7 and what they are doing.

Found these two youtube videos really helpful describing what the 10R80 is doing inside and out.

Driving:
Teardown:

Ill be pursuing full transmission swap after giving them all the details next visit, waiting on diff bearing parts anyway. Happy that I am still driveable.

 

[9zero1790]

Update:

Dealer had the main control overhauled, plastic pan replaced due to cracking, filter replaced, filled and test drive done to their satisfaction. Odometer in/out on the work order shows only 2km, so I wasn't ready to take that 'test drive' seriously.

Initial drive leaving the dealer was notably better shifting from 5-10, modulating quickly between gears on demand. Then I started to pick the behavior apart with my weekend driving. Regardless in drive or sport, 3rd gear flares on acceleration after the shift is done, happens every time. 7th will stick a lot, lagging uphill and needs some good throttle to kick down. random hard up/downshifts. I am aware skipping gears 2 and 4 are a normal behavior in pattern when accelerating, the issue is purely 3 and 7 and what they are doing.

Found these two youtube videos really helpful describing what the 10R80 is doing inside and out.

Driving:
Teardown:

Ill be pursuing full transmission swap after giving them all the details next visit, waiting on diff bearing parts anyway. Happy that I am still driveable.

let us know how it goes best of luck!

 

[Msfitoy]

Update:

Dealer had the main control overhauled, plastic pan replaced due to cracking, filter replaced, filled and test drive done to their satisfaction. Odometer in/out on the work order shows only 2km, so I wasn't ready to take that 'test drive' seriously.

Initial drive leaving the dealer was notably better shifting from 5-10, modulating quickly between gears on demand. Then I started to pick the behavior apart with my weekend driving. Regardless in drive or sport, 3rd gear flares on acceleration after the shift is done, happens every time. 7th will stick a lot, lagging uphill and needs some good throttle to kick down. random hard up/downshifts. I am aware skipping gears 2 and 4 are a normal behavior in pattern when accelerating, the issue is purely 3 and 7 and what they are doing.

Found these two youtube videos really helpful describing what the 10R80 is doing inside and out.

Driving:
Teardown:

Ill be pursuing full transmission swap after giving them all the details next visit, waiting on diff bearing parts anyway. Happy that I am still driveable.

Reliving my PTSD...

 

[TORQUERULES]

Reliving my PTSD...

I am just musing about all the a**holes who used to go on these threads and try to say it was in everyone's head, this is normal, this happens to just a very small number of trucks, etc.

If it is this bad on a forum of just a few total owners, imagine how bad it really is. Not everyone with issues is on this forum.

 

[TJC]

I believe it is worse than most think. The majority of drivers simply ignore the inconvenience of a poor performing part until the issue can no longer be ignored.... stranded on the side of the road or other too severe to ignore issues.

I took my truck out after letting it sit for a week in an unheated garage. Temps dipped to low 20's at night, but warmed to the low 40's in daylight.

Started the truck, and proceeded out the driveway. Going slow, not over 30mph and heard some unfamiliar noises coming from "down under".

I stopped the truck, then proceeded very slowly watching the transmission shift through the gears. I could clearly hear each shift solenoid engage and each one took a second or two to do so as the transmission progressed through the gears. A second or so after each solenoid did its thing the transmission would shift to the next gear. This is new to me... and concerning.

Once the truck warmed up all was fine. Has anyone else noticed this behavior when cold?

I also heard the dreaded HVAC door solenoid ticking on the drivers side for 20 seconds or so when I turned up the heat. This on a 2020 Ranger with 20,200 miles on it.

Wife looked over at me, and said it's time to sell this thing! "Don't make me tell you I told you so..."

Sigh.... she may be right!

But I am giving it one last try before admitting defeat. Fluid change, PPE deep pan, and a transmission additive.

There is a lot to like about the truck, but there is no denying that Ford clearly cheaped out in some areas (the bean counters won out over the engineers), and caved to gov requirements in several other critical areas.

 

[Msfitoy]

I am just musing about all the a**holes who used to go on these threads and try to say it was in everyone's head, this is normal, this happens to just a very small number of trucks, etc.

If it is this bad on a forum of just a few total owners, imagine how bad it really is. Not everyone with issues is on this forum.

As more owners put on higher mileage, they find out what I did...95K was my slam bam moment...

What a bunch of whiners...?

 

[9zero1790]

I believe it is worse than most think. The majority of drivers simply ignore the inconvenience of a poor performing part until the issue can no longer be ignored.... stranded on the side of the road or other too severe to ignore issues.

I took my truck out after letting it sit for a week in an unheated garage. Temps dipped to low 20's at night, but warmed to the low 40's in daylight.

Started the truck, and proceeded out the driveway. Going slow, not over 30mph and heard some unfamiliar noises coming from "down under".

I stopped the truck, then proceeded very slowly watching the transmission shift through the gears. I could clearly hear each shift solenoid engage and each one took a second or two to do so as the transmission progressed through the gears. A second or so after each solenoid did its thing the transmission would shift to the next gear. This is new to me... and concerning.

Once the truck warmed up all was fine. Has anyone else noticed this behavior when cold?

I also heard the dreaded HVAC door solenoid ticking on the drivers side for 20 seconds or so when I turned up the heat. This on a 2020 Ranger with 20,200 miles on it.

Wife looked over at me, and said it's time to sell this thing! "Don't make me tell you I told you so..."

Sigh.... she may be right!

But I am giving it one last try before admitting defeat. Fluid change, PPE deep pan, and a transmission additive.

There is a lot to like about the truck, but there is no denying that Ford clearly cheaped out in some areas (the bean counters won out over the engineers), and caved to gov requirements in several other critical areas.

this is exactly what i do. i know it has problems. but ford and the dealers will do nothing about it for me and i cannot afford a transmission out of pocket. so im just driving it and ignoring it. I pray that when it does leave me stranded im not in the boonies.

 

[TJC]

I feel you! I am there as well.... simply trying to make the most of a bad situation. Wife tells me to stop throwing good money after bad, cut the losses and move on. She may very well be right. But I have one last card to play. She has agreed to let me try.

 

[Msfitoy]

this is exactly what i do. i know it has problems. but ford and the dealers will do nothing about it for me and i cannot afford a transmission out of pocket. so im just driving it and ignoring it. I pray that when it does leave me stranded im not in the boonies.

That's what I did...but the problems got worse and worse until it was just undrivable...I didn't want to have it completely fail on the way to work and then add towing fees to the insult...best to schedule an appointment with the shop...mine tooks over a month for a slot...you don't want to have it towed and then end up with your truck sitting at the shop for a month waiting for your turn...

 

[9zero1790]

That's what I did...but the problems got worse and worse until it was just undrivable...I didn't want to have it completely fail on the way to work and then add towing fees to the insult...best to schedule an appointment with the shop...mine tooks over a month for a slot...you don't want to have it towed and then end up with your truck sitting at the shop for a month waiting for your turn...

i agree but cant pay for it either way so im stuck. funny how when i bought it i felt my 4g ranger was getting old and having a new one with a warranty would be the smart way to avoid problems.

 

[landiscarrier]

I am just musing about all the a**holes who used to go on these threads and try to say it was in everyone's head, this is normal, this happens to just a very small number of trucks, etc.

If it is this bad on a forum of just a few total owners, imagine how bad it really is. Not everyone with issues is on this forum.

I think I might have been one of those a$$holes! LOL. I am now having a possible issue. I do get the lag between gears (where it seems like it's in neutral) and occasionally a very hard BANG typically in 1 or 2 or 3rd gear. Happened the other day and I swore I got rear ended! I currently have 76k on my 19' with the extended warranty up to 125k. Oddly when I turn off all the anti slip and traction control it shifts pretty smooth. I am tuned by Unleased with Turquerules tune from Feb/March of 2023.

 

[Msfitoy]

I think I might have been one of those a$$holes! LOL. I am now having a possible issue. I do get the lag between gears (where it seems like it's in neutral) and occasionally a very hard BANG typically in 1 or 2 or 3rd gear. Happened the other day and I swore I got rear ended! I currently have 76k on my 19' with the extended warranty up to 125k. Oddly when I turn off all the anti slip and traction control it shifts pretty smooth. I am tuned by Unleased with Turquerules tune from Feb/March of 2023.

Beginning of the end...same old story...

Everything was butter smooth until that one day driving away from home...1st ok...huge gap shifting into 2nd...WAM! WTF!?!?!

 

[TJC]

i agree but cant pay for it either way so im stuck. funny how when i bought it i felt my 4g ranger was getting old and having a new one with a warranty would be the smart way to avoid problems.

re: 4G Ranger

That was EXACTLY my thought. After reading a few horror stories I had my 4G rebuilt from the ground up... just in case.

It is still a gas hog, but it won't leave me on the side of the road! Only the diffs and xfer case are original. Had Jasper rebuilt engine , transmission and driveshaft installed. All suspension, brakes, AC compressor, shocks replaced. I am still on the original exhaust, but it will last a few more years. Cost me 50% of what I paid for it new, but it has proven to be a wise investment. The installing mechanic told me if I ever wished to sell it to contact him first.

Fuel pump check valve is acting up, but it is a mere nuisance and will be replaced when I have the time.

Wife won't let me sell it for any amount of money.

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