Transmission or DPFE sensor

[JLC04]

I took my ranger in because it was shifting funny from 3-4 and 6-5. They called back and said it's the DPFE sensor and it has water in it. I ordered a new one from Levittownfordparts and replace it myself a few months back because it bucking really bad. That fixed that problem. This isn't the first time it's been in the shop for it shifting weird. Last time the drained and replaced the fluid and filter. What do you think?

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[RedlandRanger]

I took my ranger in because it was shifting funny from 3-4 and 6-5. They called back and said it's the DPFE sensor and it has water in it. I ordered a new one from Levittownfordparts and replace it myself a few months back because it bucking really bad. That fixed that problem. This isn't the first time it's been in the shop for it shifting weird. Last time the drained and replaced the fluid and filter. What do you think?

How many miles do you have?

One idea would be to get a FitzStick and do another fluid change, and include lubeguard platinum in the change. It has worked well for others.

The DPFE sensor is very specific - it is bucking, not really a shifting issue. I think they feel different.

 

[JLC04]

51,300 miles
I was bucking until I replaced the sensor. Now it's like a hesitation between 3-4 and sometimes a hard shift from 6-5. The last time I was having the shift problem, they replaced the filter and fluid. You shouldn't have to replaced transmission fluid every 20,000 miles.

 

[JLC04]

And they want $337 for a 5 minute sensor replacement that i can get for $98 online.

 

[JLC04]

And they want $337 for a 5 minute sensor replacement that i can get for $98 online.

I told them not to replace it, I'll order another or see if Levittown has some kind of warranty on their parts.
Why would condensation build up in that sensor?

 

[TJC]

Order just the sensor from Rock Auto for $18. And change your fluid adding LubeGard Platinum. Drive it until you start to get a hint of misbehavior, and change the fluid again.

Did they change the filter the first time around? If not replace the filter as well.

Do it now before things deteriorate too far.

You shouldn't have to change the fluid that often but you do. If you do not have a BMS dipstick order it now, and a cheap transfer pump from Amazon. Do a quick search, you'll find a link for them for ~$16. Takes 30 minutes to change them fluid dulling it out the dip stick tube... with no mess, and you can put exactly the same amount back in.

My transmission began acting up at 5K, by 12K I was afraid to take it any distance and pretty much parked it for a couple years. At 18K I was ready to unload it. Finally took the advice I am giving you and it cleared it all up. I followed up with a 2nd refresh, and things got even better. I'm at 25K and will be changing it one last time this week when I do my oil change. Then I am going to let it ride until it starts acting up or 50K , when I will replace the filter and install the PPE Deep pan.

Dealer didn't do squat for me when I took it in. I never went back.

 

[ctechbob]

I told them not to replace it, I'll order another or see if Levittown has some kind of warranty on their parts.
Why would condensation build up in that sensor?

The last few DPFE sensors I've ordered from RockAuto have been the Motorcraft part with the writing scrubbed off. I've ordered a few of them now and just put them on the shelf for when needed since they go in and out of stock pretty often.

I've actually added it to my list of 'things to do every 30K' at `$20 I'm just going to replace it on a schedule and not think twice.

And yes, what @TJC said about the fluid.

 

[gtyates]

51,300 miles
I was bucking until I replaced the sensor. Now it's like a hesitation between 3-4 and sometimes a hard shift from 6-5. The last time I was having the shift problem, they replaced the filter and fluid. You shouldn't have to replaced transmission fluid every 20,000 miles.

This sounds like the issue I was having. This is part of the TSB, but I suspect your control board/valves are bad. That was my issue. My extended warranty covered it, but if you have to pay for it the cost is around $1500. For me this has totally resolved my shifting issues. I have also had the "bucking" problem and the dpfe sensor replacement fixed it. These are 2 very different issues. Tell your shop that you are seeing this on upshifts and downshifts and, if you look at your tach as it happens, you will see rpm's jump around at the same time. The TSB is 24-2101.

 

[ctechbob]

This sounds like the issue I was having. This is part of the TSB, but I suspect your control board/valves are bad. That was my issue. My extended warranty covered it, but if you have to pay for it the cost is around $1500. For me this has totally resolved my shifting issues. I have also had the "bucking" problem and the dpfe sensor replacement fixed it. These are 2 very different issues. Tell your shop that you are seeing this on upshifts and downshifts and, if you look at your tach as it happens, you will see rpm's jump around at the same time. The TSB is 24-2101.

Problem is, as far as I know (granted, I don't have any kind of inside baseball information) Ford still hasn't done anything to update the valve bodies to keep it from happening again. They're just replacing them with more of the same. (Or at least not since early 2023), GM Meanwhile, is on their 2nd gen VB's.

https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resourc...-gen-1-2-allison-10l1000-identification-guide

 

[gtyates]

Problem is, as far as I know (granted, I don't have any kind of inside baseball information) Ford still hasn't done anything to update the valve bodies to keep it from happening again. They're just replacing them with more of the same. (Or at least not since early 2023), GM Meanwhile, is on their 2nd gen VB's.

https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resourc...-gen-1-2-allison-10l1000-identification-guide

My replacement is the new design. The part number is slightly different than the original factory unit. I am very happy with my truck since the replacement. I bought mine with around 40k miles on it, but honestly it has never shifted as smooth as does since the repair.

 

[ctechbob]

My replacement is the new design. The part number is slightly different than the original factory unit. I am very happy with my truck since the replacement. I bought mine with around 40k miles on it, but honestly it has never shifted as smooth as does since the repair.

Sure enough, they are on to the 'c' part


JL3Z-7A100-C is the 'new' valve body,

JL3Z-7A100-A was the 'old' one.

Wonder what they changed.

Too bad it requires messing around with programming. For $400 I'd try one.

 

[gtyates]

Sure enough, they are on to the 'c' part


JL3Z-7A100-C is the 'new' valve body,

JL3Z-7A100-A was the 'old' one.

Wonder what they changed.

Too bad it requires messing around with programming. For $400 I'd try one.

Part of the TSB is that they reprogram as well. While I wish Ford would cover this under their own warranty program, I was grateful I had purchased an extended warranty, so cost to me was only $150. But the 10R80 transmission has proven to not be one the better decisions Ford made. Our Explorer has the 10R60 and we have had zero shifting issues with it and it is now close to 60k miles. The current Ranger (2024) uses the 10R60.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

One idea would be to get a FitzStick...

FitzStick is a must. Checking the level smoking hot with the factory dipstick, what are the chances the dealer gets this correct, or possibly makes the level worse than it was ?

My 2020 used to have an occasional wonky shift. Installed my MBS super FitzStick and discovered the level was 3/4 qt low from the factory. Corrected the level, been good since.

 

[Moran43]

I took my ranger in because it was shifting funny from 3-4 and 6-5. They called back and said it's the DPFE sensor and it has water in it. I ordered a new one from Levittownfordparts and replace it myself a few months back because it bucking really bad. That fixed that problem. This isn't the first time it's been in the shop for it shifting weird. Last time the drained and replaced the fluid and filter. What do you think?

I’m having the same exact issue I haven’t taken it in yet. I was thinking it might have been the fluid.

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