4th gear slip- 88k miles Update: Transmission Replaced

[GreyAreaRanger]

So, as the title states, my 19 Ranger has been slipping in fourth gear lately and sometimes when shifting out of fourth. Even when it's fully warmed up. I have only noticed it in fourth, though it has become more frequent lately. The fluid and filter were changed back in May, and it's been shifting perfectly until early October after I changed the EGR pressure sensor in early June. If I read correctly, this slipping is indicative of the CDF drum but I thought I would ask to see if there might be any other possible issue prior to having it checked out under the extended warranty. The truck is a RWD if that makes a difference at all.

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[Msfitoy]

Have you checked your trans fluid level lately?

 

[got3fords]

Have you checked your trans fluid level lately?

This, also throw in a bottle of LubeGuard Platinum. Cheap to try.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Have you checked your trans fluid level lately?

I have not, but I haven't had any noticeable leaks either. Wouldn't I have other issues besides fourth gear slipping if the fluid was low?

This, also throw in a bottle of LubeGuard Platinum. Cheap to try.

Not familiar with that product. I generally steer away from fluid additives, though, as I have heard some real horror stories about them.

 

[got3fords]

Not familiar with that product. I generally steer away from fluid additives, though, as I have heard some real horror stories about them.

I do too, but this product has a ton of positive reviews. And I vouch it works.
https://www.lubegard.com/products/platinum/

 

[TJC]

I do too, but this product has a ton of positive reviews. And I vouch it works.
https://www.lubegard.com/products/platinum/

LubeGard Platinum (along with a fluid change - both done at 18K miles) cured my transmission problems.

Now at 25K with nary a problem since. Shifts smooth as silk!

The issues were so severe that if this stuff didn't work, the truck was being sold. This was literally the last straw.

If you go this route, install the Fitzstick. It makes the fluid change simple. Well under an hour with no mess. No crawling under the truck either.

Use this $16 pump. Pull out the fluid and replace with the exact amount (including the LubeGard)

 

[harringtondav]

Is it slipping or delaying (jumping to neutral before) 4th? My 98 Gen I Durango did this. Try driving through the entire range in "S" mode and see if 4th sticks. I don't know the innards of the trans, but maybe a solenoid is sticking or failing.
BTW, love the Aussie in your profile pic. ....best darned breed in my mind.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Is it slipping or delaying (jumping to neutral before) 4th? My 98 Gen I Durango did this. Try driving through the entire range in "S" mode and see if 4th sticks. I don't know the innards of the trans, but maybe a solenoid is sticking or failing.
BTW, love the Aussie in your profile pic. ....best darned breed in my mind.

It's definitely slipping. I went through a couple of transmissions on the Toyota I had, and it's one of the reasons I won't own another. I haven't tried it in Sport mode, but I use the tow haul mode a lot with traffic, as I don't like the constant changing of gears when left on regular drive. It isn't as noticeable if I am more aggressive on the throttle, but there is a longer pause when going in the fourth gear compared to others.

Edit: Aussies are great dogs and very similar, but she is a Border Collie. Everyone thinks she's an Aussie, and I completely understand why. She gets to ride shotgun a lot when I have spare time to take her somewhere

 

[harringtondav]

It's definitely slipping. I went through a couple of transmissions on the Toyota I had, and it's one of the reasons I won't own another. I haven't tried it in Sport mode, but I use the tow haul mode a lot with traffic, as I don't like the constant changing of gears when left on regular drive. It isn't as noticeable if I am more aggressive on the throttle, but there is a longer pause when going in the fourth gear compared to others.

Edit: Aussies are great dogs and very similar, but she is a Border Collie. Everyone thinks she's an Aussie, and I completely understand why. She gets to ride shotgun a lot when I have spare time to take her somewhere

I was referring to the SelectShift thumb button on the shift lever while in Sport mode/ Manual shifting position. ...thinking if you can try to force the shift, both up and down, you may see something telling about the issue.

Yes, I noticed the your dog's tail, but thought she is an Aussie that didn't have her tail docked. I wondered about a Border Collie, but have never seen any other than black and white.
She's the same Blue Merle as my Aussie Zeke who is almost a full time shotgun rider. ...passenger window is a little smeared but I live with it.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

I was referring to the SelectShift thumb button on the shift lever while in Sport mode/ Manual shifting position. ...thinking if you can try to force the shift, both up and down, you may see something telling about the issue.

Yes, I noticed the your dog's tail, but thought she is an Aussie that didn't have her tail docked. I wondered about a Border Collie, but have never seen any other than black and white.
She's the same Blue Merle as my Aussie Zeke who is almost a full time shotgun rider. ...passenger window is a little smeared but I live with it.

I hadn't thought of the manual option in it. My last truck was a manual, so I was happy with not having to change gears in this one. I will try this out when I head out later for some errands. I need to find someone who has a level driveway to recheck the fluid level, as the one I would normally use is on an incline.

My parents have two Border Collies that are the traditional black and white colors. I wanted mine to stand out a little more when I brought her over for a visit. I have been thinking of getting her a little brother when I start my new job in January but we shall see.

 

[Dereku]

thats what mine did and 500 miles later kapoof. Check the fluid, mine was black and super thin.

 

[gtyates]

So, as the title states, my 19 Ranger has been slipping in fourth gear lately and sometimes when shifting out of fourth. Even when it's fully warmed up. I have only noticed it in fourth, though it has become more frequent lately. The fluid and filter were changed back in May, and it's been shifting perfectly until early October after I changed the EGR pressure sensor in early June. If I read correctly, this slipping is indicative of the CDF drum but I thought I would ask to see if there might be any other possible issue prior to having it checked out under the extended warranty. The truck is a RWD if that makes a difference at all.

Are you noticing during the 3-4-5 upshift this slipping? Do you also see it on the tach? Mine was doing this. My dealer diagnosed it, using the TSB, as the main control board and valves. They replaced it, updated software, and truck shifts great now. I have driven about 1100 miles since the repair. Cost was around $1400, but mine was covered by my extended warranty. I have 77k+ miles on mine. I am actually very happy with my truck.

 

[ctechbob]

I have not, but I haven't had any noticeable leaks either. Wouldn't I have other issues besides fourth gear slipping if the fluid was low?

Not familiar with that product. I generally steer away from fluid additives, though, as I have heard some real horror stories about them.

I'm in the same boat as you (skeptical), but LG is a standup company and there have been several 10R80's that I've been tracking that have been 'cured' by it. It seems to help keep the valvebody freed up and moving properly.

Ford has all but admitted the valve body it crap in some way, and the aftermarket has updated several of the valves due to wear issues, so anything we can do to keep them moving freely and clean will help matters.

Clean fluid and a little bit extra help goes a long way.

Of course, none of that will help if there is a real 'hard problem' happening (mainly thinking the CDF bushing here), but it is a fairly cheap try before you let people start tearing into the trans.

 

[TJC]

When my transmission was acting up, the issues were primarily in shifts 1-6. After the first fluid change at 18K miles everything cleared up except for a slightly harder than normal shift in 4th.

To be sure things were 98% better after that first fluid change and 10 oz of LubeGard.Platinum. After 1K miles I decided to change the fluid again and this time I went with 18oz of LGP. This did the trick and 4th now shifts normal as well.

I taken two 1300 mile long trips since, 650 miles each way nonstop except for gas - 10-12 hours at a time. Every thing smooth and normal.

I have driven the truck more in the last 6 months than I had in the last 3 years. It sat as I didn't trust it - the transmission was acting up so badly that we were ready to unload it.

I'm now at 25K, and it is time to change the engine oil. I am also going to change the transmission fluid for a 3rd time to get the new fluid ratio to 87.5%. The first fluid change got me to 50%, 2nd raised it to 75% (where I am now) and 3rd will get me to 87.5%. I will be adding 18 oz of LubeGard Platinum in it again.

With the MBS dipstick installed, the fluid change can be done in 30 minutes with minimal fuss. It is easier to do than the engine oil change! Just be sure you measure what comes out and put the exact amount back in. I marked up 2 plastic 1 gallon milk jugs at 1 quart intervals and let the fluid flow directly into them, stopping at the 4 quart mark on the first jug. If you let the truck sit overnight, you can get over 7 qts out.

FWIW, the fluid from the first change at 18K miles came out watery and black as coal! Not a hint of red. It looked a lot like dirty diesel engine oil.

This is my experience with LubeGard.

YMMV.

 

[GreyAreaRanger]

Are you noticing during the 3-4-5 upshift this slipping? Do you also see it on the tach? Mine was doing this. My dealer diagnosed it, using the TSB, as the main control board and valves. They replaced it, updated software, and truck shifts great now. I have driven about 1100 miles since the repair. Cost was around $1400, but mine was covered by my extended warranty. I have 77k+ miles on mine. I am actually very happy with my truck.

Yes, mainly on the upshift, but primarily in the fourth gear. I did feel it slip in 2nd today and will get the occasional slip on the downshift. I do see it in the tach as well as feel it. It's bad enough that it feels similar to me hitting the brakes and then accelerating again. The momentum is enough to make you lean forward without meaning to. It does it in sport mode, manual mode, and tow haul.

When I purchased the truck, I also got an extended warranty on it and pulled the paperwork out to verify that it covers transmission, which it does. If all goes well, I plan to take it to the dealer while I am on my cruise next month and before I start the new job in January.

Edit: I absolutely love this truck, just disappointed in the idea of needing trans work already. Starting Monday, it'll be at the body shop from when I got hit by the idiot trying to go straight in a turn-only lane while I was turning in the outside turn lane earlier this week. Minor damage overall and still driveable, just now how I thought I'd spend Thanksgiving week.

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