[Resolved] Transmission downshift at highway speeds and then it wigged out.

[Domino77]

I understand the storied history of the 10R80 Transmission and it's quite a nail-biting read. Well, I have had an experience that I felt I had to share or see if anyone has had the same experience. I have searched the forum and not found anything similar. For reference she's a 2022 Ranger FX4 (2.3L) my upgrades are as follows: Ford Performance tuner, MSD Ignition coils, TurboSmart Blow-off valve, CVF Intercooler, CVF Downpipe, C&L throttle control, K&N induction, Borla catback. Also, suspiciously coincidental before this incident I changed the trans fluid (added Lubeguard), filter and put on an aftermarket PPE trans pan.

Basically, I was headed down the highway and went to pass another vehicle. As I accelerated a bit more aggressively than normal the transmission downshifted as I notice it does when I am a bit more aggressive with the throttle, but this time the downshift felt significantly harder. As it downshifted I has halfway into the next lane and everything went haywire. The truck shuttered, almost braking to a stop in the middle of the highway and the instrument cluster went crazy, pre-collision sensor went off so many things happened at once combined with my instant fear of the worst I did not recall everything that happened within that second. Within the following seconds it recovered somewhat and it shifted like it was slipping the rest of the way home, it went into 10th and stayed there unless I came to a complete stop (I was in stop and go traffic at this point). It would shift down to 1st then it would shift up through acceleration like each gear was slipping and seemed to shift up and down erratically like it was just all confused. This did kick on the check engine light. I let it sit overnight and it seemed to shift more reasonable the next day, but not a 100%. That was a week ago and things seem to be 80-90% better and the check engine light went off (maybe I am just being over analytical now noticing all the nuances). It seems to, on occasion, shift hard throughout normal driving while city driving. I have considered using the Forscan to set the trans to re-learn (can I even do that? I assuming I can?) or maybe my Ford Tuner does this as well I am meaning to look into these options. If you read this far I appreciate it, let me know what you think or if you had something similar happen.

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[ScarzRanger21]

If it were me, I’d definitely take it in. When it comes to engines or transmissions, I don’t trust myself enough to start messing with stuff. Idk what forscan enables you to do but I wouldn’t even want to do that in fear of messing something up worse.

Granted, my wife’s truck was still under warranty, but I immediately took it in for service at the first sign of trouble. Knowing how temperamental the 10r80 transmissions can be on these trucks, I wouldn’t hesitate to get it looked at as soon as possible. If there IS something wrong with it, I would think that driving it more is only going to make things worse.

If the truck simply needs a reset and needs to “re-learn” how to shift, that’s one thing. If your transmission is actually damaged and you keep driving it, it’s only a matter of time before it self destructs and leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Just my two cents…

 

[RangerBill]

I understand the storied history of the 10R80 Transmission and it's quite a nail-biting read. Well, I have had an experience that I felt I had to share or see if anyone has had the same experience. I have searched the forum and not found anything similar. For reference she's a 2022 Ranger FX4 (2.3L) my upgrades are as follows: Ford Performance tuner, MSD Ignition coils, TurboSmart Blow-off valve, CVF Intercooler, CVF Downpipe, C&L throttle control, K&N induction, Borla catback. Also, suspiciously coincidental before this incident I changed the trans fluid (added Lubeguard), filter and put on an aftermarket PPE trans pan.

Basically, I was headed down the highway and went to pass another vehicle. As I accelerated a bit more aggressively than normal the transmission downshifted as I notice it does when I am a bit more aggressive with the throttle, but this time the downshift felt significantly harder. As it downshifted I has halfway into the next lane and everything went haywire. The truck shuttered, almost braking to a stop in the middle of the highway and the instrument cluster went crazy, pre-collision sensor went off so many things happened at once combined with my instant fear of the worst I did not recall everything that happened within that second. Within the following seconds it recovered somewhat and it shifted like it was slipping the rest of the way home, it went into 10th and stayed there unless I came to a complete stop (I was in stop and go traffic at this point). It would shift down to 1st then it would shift up through acceleration like each gear was slipping and seemed to shift up and down erratically like it was just all confused. This did kick on the check engine light. I let it sit overnight and it seemed to shift more reasonable the next day, but not a 100%. That was a week ago and things seem to be 80-90% better and the check engine light went off (maybe I am just being over analytical now noticing all the nuances). It seems to, on occasion, shift hard throughout normal driving while city driving. I have considered using the Forscan to set the trans to re-learn (can I even do that? I assuming I can?) or maybe my Ford Tuner does this as well I am meaning to look into these options. If you read this far I appreciate it, let me know what you think or if you had something similar happen.

You could use Forscan and get the DTC codes. This will be helpful for trouble shooting. Otherwise, take it to a dealer.

 

[rang19ca]

You really should take it to a dealer. I think that the more you drive it, the more damage it could cause. Do not clear or erase any codes. Take it in with the codes active. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[ctechbob]

You said you changed the fluid.

You probably overfilled it, foamed the fluid and caused all kinds of issues.

Had you been monitoring temperatures you would have seen a temp spike and you may have blown fluid out the vent.

If you kept driving, you might have caused some damage. Usually if you back way off when it happens it is no harm no foul, but it is possible other things happened.

10R80's are extremely sensitive to over-filling, especially at highway speeds.

 

[Racket]

I hope the Ford tunecwas dealer installed. I'd take tge C&E throttle controller off before going to the dealer and I've never heard anyone really recommend the MSD coils. I hope it is really just the transmission fluid level though.

 

[airline tech]

Yes - too many factors here -Modified-
Without checking for any logged codes.
I do not think it’s transmission related , it’s control related.

 

[Dereku]

When I did mine I was 3/4 qt over filled. It quickly over heated on a highway run, puked some out and slowly cooled off. It dropped a few gears as well. Sounds too full. Monitor those temps at all times. All those mods deserve gauges.

 

[Domino77]

Yeah, I'm guessing the dealer would either not want to mess with it or harass me about all the mods. I am kind of suspicious if the precollision went off. Although I did not elaborate earlier but about 6 different warnings and notifications came up on the screen in addition to the precollision. I was several cars behind the car in front of me and would not expect precollision to go off. In the acceleration it may have detected a collision at that speed even though I was changing lanes.
I know it's all my fault my need for horsepower consumed me.
Yeah, the fluid is a tricky thing. I installed the Mike's Build Shop fitzstick and it is really hard to read the fluid level its practically clear. I will recheck as I have been. I measured what came out but then when I changed the filter at least another quart came out that I could not measure (my fault going into it with half knowledge). I put in 7 quarts before it showed up on the fitzstick. I believe it takes 9 quarts completely empty that's what I have read here. Also, nothing has choked out at least that I have noticed.
Thanks for all the input. I will report back after I check the codes with Forscan the code that threw is resident just not showing anymore on the dash light. and forgive me I am a 1990 Mustang guy and well a 2022 vehicle is a lot smarter and more electronic.

 

[airline tech]

I was kind of wondering if the (AEB) triggered, but with you having shifting issues after the event - I shifted away from it.
My thoughts are:
Trans Fluid Level (Incorrect) and triggered a fault and that fault is now limiting performance.
AEB actually triggered, and since you were in an aggressive throttle with mods added, the truck became confused and triggered a code.

Hopefully, it will have a code logged in memory for a direction.

 

[Glocker]

Had the same thing happen to me. The general belief is the dealership may have overfilled the fluid and it "burped".

 

[PapaBill]

If it were me, I’d definitely take it in. When it comes to engines or transmissions, I don’t trust myself enough to start messing with stuff. Idk what forscan enables you to do but I wouldn’t even want to do that in fear of messing something up worse.

Granted, my wife’s truck was still under warranty, but I immediately took it in for service at the first sign of trouble. Knowing how temperamental the 10r80 transmissions can be on these trucks, I wouldn’t hesitate to get it looked at as soon as possible. If there IS something wrong with it, I would think that driving it more is only going to make things worse.

If the truck simply needs a reset and needs to “re-learn” how to shift, that’s one thing. If your transmission is actually damaged and you keep driving it, it’s only a matter of time before it self destructs and leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Just my two cents…

Oh just for a six speed manual Tranny. Out lives anything and everything else.

 

[Domino77]

Thanks, its actually running much better and I eased into it up to 80mph and it shifted normally. But now after reading everything here I'm afraid of the over filled fluid and I should not be driving it. Perhaps it is just a small amount of overfill to effect it in the instance of rapid acceleration and the sloshing that happened in that acceleration. The new PPE pan is a pain to drain, it's a short plug and I'm afraid it will fall out and will probably lose a ton of fluid and have more to refill again ugh getting the right level seems to be a delicate art.

 

[Domino77]

Oh just for a six speed manual Tranny. Out lives anything and everything else.

Never rebuilt my T-5 in my 1990 mustang 280,000 miles and it shifts all my added horsepower just fine with 3.73's too. I wish the Ranger was manual. No option for it in 2022 apparently. Dealer may have lied? I do not have a good relationship with them.

 

[airline tech]

The benefit of the FitzStick - is you can fit a tube do down it to suck the fluid out, (IF NEEDED)

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