Weird downshifting behavior (4th to 3rd)

[FrogDarner]

Hello all,

I got a chance to go up to my local ski area this weekend and drive my Ranger back down the mountain to test out the +/- buttons and feel out what gears it wanted to be in before the snow comes. I experienced a disturbing issue while doing so.

When getting a bit too fast in 4th, and shifting down to 3rd (tried this several times), there is what feels like an acceleration. Not even a momentary "neutral" feeling of coasting downhill, but an abrupt split second "acceleration" before then kicking into 3rd, revving high, and slowing back down.

I haven't experienced this in any other vehicle where it goes faster and feels like I tapped the gas pedal, before downshifting and slowing. This is going to be a problem on the snow (sometimes ice) when it kicks down like that after accelerating.

Anyone experience this? Do I have an issue or is it a Ranger thing? 6, 5, 4, all worked well, it was the shift to 3rd that was surprising.

Thanks

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[mrtimo]

I too experience something like this, but I hadn’t got as far as determining if it was particular to 4th to 3rd. But definitely a thing that I observe. And I share your concern…most of the time that i use engine-braking is coming down the west side of the Sierra in the snow.

 

[RecoilOperated]

Hello all,

I got a chance to go up to my local ski area this weekend and drive my Ranger back down the mountain to test out the +/- buttons and feel out what gears it wanted to be in before the snow comes. I experienced a disturbing issue while doing so.

When getting a bit too fast in 4th, and shifting down to 3rd (tried this several times), there is what feels like an acceleration. Not even a momentary "neutral" feeling of coasting downhill, but an abrupt split second "acceleration" before then kicking into 3rd, revving high, and slowing back down.

I haven't experienced this in any other vehicle where it goes faster and feels like I tapped the gas pedal, before downshifting and slowing. This is going to be a problem on the snow (sometimes ice) when it kicks down like that after accelerating.

Anyone experience this? Do I have an issue or is it a Ranger thing? 6, 5, 4, all worked well, it was the shift to 3rd that was surprising.

Thanks

Mechanically the 10-speed is fairly sound for an in house built transmission; unfortunately they program them like "Baby's First Transmission" and they're prone to all sorts of weird behavior. My F-150 used to lag between 3 and 4 and lurch randomly in higher gears. I had it reflashed to no avail and chalked it up to a bad unit. Now I have a Ranger which acts equally stupid yet in different ways. They've built millions of these transmissions between the F-series, Ranger, and Mustang, I'm not sure why they can't figure it out.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Not sure about this one but it sounds like it may be trying to rev-match for the downshift.

If you don't have hill descent on the truck you can order the console switch for it and then enable the functionality for it in Forscan. When you order they will want you to put in your VIN in to verify. A parts guy will call you in a day or two to verify the part since the truck didn't come with one originally per the VIN. All you have to tell them is that you're adding it to the truck and already have, or will enable functionality with Forscan. The parts guy will verify again that you want the 3 way switch and complete the order for shipping.

They've built millions of these transmissions between the F-series, Ranger, and Mustang, I'm not sure why they can't figure it out.

Cause they still cannot figure out how much transmission fluid to put in it at the factory for starters.

 

[D Fresh]

Not sure about this one but it sounds like it may be trying to rev-match for the downshift.

Pretty sure this is it.

You're probably timing your other downshifts at a lower RPM, thus not feeling it there.

The downshift to 3rd was likely your last so you probably held 4th longer than the others hoping you might want to stay there.

 

[tfisher15]

Hello all,

I got a chance to go up to my local ski area this weekend and drive my Ranger back down the mountain to test out the +/- buttons and feel out what gears it wanted to be in before the snow comes. I experienced a disturbing issue while doing so.

When getting a bit too fast in 4th, and shifting down to 3rd (tried this several times), there is what feels like an acceleration. Not even a momentary "neutral" feeling of coasting downhill, but an abrupt split second "acceleration" before then kicking into 3rd, revving high, and slowing back down.

I haven't experienced this in any other vehicle where it goes faster and feels like I tapped the gas pedal, before downshifting and slowing. This is going to be a problem on the snow (sometimes ice) when it kicks down like that after accelerating.

Anyone experience this? Do I have an issue or is it a Ranger thing? 6, 5, 4, all worked well, it was the shift to 3rd that was surprising.

Thanks

My 2020 does the same thing. I live in a hilly area and at the same exact place each time it will down shift to 3rd and speed up, when going down the hill. I’ve learned to lock out 4th going up the hill so it stays in 3rd and does not downshift going down.

 

[wanted33]

Mechanically the 10-speed is fairly sound for an in house built transmission; unfortunately they program them like "Baby's First Transmission" and they're prone to all sorts of weird behavior. My F-150 used to lag between 3 and 4 and lurch randomly in higher gears. I had it reflashed to no avail and chalked it up to a bad unit. Now I have a Ranger which acts equally stupid yet in different ways. They've built millions of these transmissions between the F-series, Ranger, and Mustang, I'm not sure why they can't figure it out.

I had too laugh Phil. I've got two 10 speeds in the driveway, and that's exactly the way I describe how they work when someone ask. I used to call it quirky, now I just call it stupid.

 

[Apples]

It is indeed rev matching. In order to manually shift the gears, you must be in Sports mode. Sport mode isn't the best for slowing down on steep grades. Rather, keep the transmission in Drive, and use the ± control which limits the maximum gear the transmission can use. Going a bit fast? Just reduce the max down one gear, and presto! It may indeed rev match, but it should be a lot smoother doing so.

By the way, is you use the cruise control, the transmission will automatically down shift, but only when the speed is two or three mph faster than the set speed.

 

[mrtimo]

Not sure about this one but it sounds like it may be trying to rev-match for the downshift.

If you don't have hill descent on the truck you can order the console switch for it and then enable the functionality for it in Forscan. When you order they will want you to put in your VIN in to verify. A parts guy will call you in a day or two to verify the part since the truck didn't come with one originally per the VIN. All you have to tell them is that you're adding it to the truck and already have, or will enable functionality with Forscan. The parts guy will verify again that you want the 3 way switch and complete the order for shipping.



Cause they still cannot figure out how much transmission fluid to put in it at the factory for starters.

Thanks - I am curious about that console switch. I took at a look at the part via your link, but can’t exactly tell where it goes (where is the blank likely to be)? Is it in the steering wheel, or is it near the shifter where the autostop/start button is, or somewhere else?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

It replaces the auto S/S and rear locker switch. Retains those but adds hill descent on the left. Would look like this when installed, minus the terrain management knob for the 2WD . Fairly easy to swap out too. Using a trim tool you pop the console top up and and unplug the harness. There are two plastic clips on the ends and the top row switch assembly pops right out. Insert the new one and plug the harness back in and reset the console cover back into place. This should only take about 2 min to swap the switch. Then activate the system with Forscan.

 

[mrtimo]

It is indeed rev matching. In order to manually shift the gears, you must be in Sports mode. Sport mode isn't the best for slowing down on steep grades. Rather, keep the transmission in Drive, and use the ± control which limits the maximum gear the transmission can use. Going a bit fast? Just reduce the max down one gear, and presto! It may indeed rev match, but it should be a lot smoother doing so.

By the way, is you use the cruise control, the transmission will automatically down shift, but only when the speed is two or three mph faster than the set speed.

It replaces the auto S/S and rear locker switch. Retains those but adds hill descent on the left. Would look like this when installed, minus the terrain management knob for the 2WD . Fairly easy to swap out too. Using a trim tool you pop the console top up and and unplug the harness. There are two plastic clips on the ends and the top row switch assembly pops right out. Insert the new one and plug the harness back in and reset the console cover back into place. This should only take about 2 min to swap the switch. Then activate the system with Forscan.

Awesome - I already added the TM button, so this looks like more of the same

 

[BrendaK849319]

Mechanically the 10-speed is fairly sound for an in house built transmission; unfortunately they program them like "Baby's First Transmission" and they're prone to all sorts of weird behavior. My F-150 used to lag between 3 and 4 and lurch randomly in higher gears. I had it reflashed to no avail and chalked it up to a bad unit. Now I have a Ranger which acts equally stupid yet in different ways. They've built millions of these transmissions between the F-series, Ranger, and Mustang, I'm not sure why they can't figure it out.

I’m driving a 21 Ford Ranger STX. It shakes like crazy at 35-45 mph and acts like it doesn’t know what gear it should be in. This is my 3rd Ranger and by far the worse acting one yet. I do love the seats though! Manual lumber is easier on back surgeries.

 

[FrogDarner]

Pretty sure this is it.

You're probably timing your other downshifts at a lower RPM, thus not feeling it there.

The downshift to 3rd was likely your last so you probably held 4th longer than the others hoping you might want to stay there.

That's exactly what I did, and exactly what I was trying to do. 4th was holding a perfect speed most of the way until it wasn't which compounded the problem as now I was going too fast in 4th, AND when I hit the (minus) button it went FASTER before downshifting to 3rd.

Guess I'm going to have to stay on top of the shift to 3rd and hit it quicker.

 

[FrogDarner]

Thanks everyone for the replies. All good stuff, and good to hear it's not broken, although still frustrating.

Sounds like it's just a thing and I'll need to find that happy RPM in 4th to make the shift down to 3rd smoother without the computer revving the engine, for the time being.

I've read in these forums about the transmission "learning". Is that accurate? I'm at 700 miles, any chance that is contributing? If so maybe it'll smooth out?

 

[FrogDarner]

the "learning" can be completed in a half hour if driving by following a set of parameters.
why people think it takes hundreds of miles is beyond me. most people probably have the task completed the first couple days as they wander the truck around town.

Please send us pics the first snowfall when you come down the hill. video if possible. I'm guessing this is going to be one lit trip down.
Show us the damage, others will chime in with great aftermarket replacement products

I'll probably take it easy the first couple snows given this interesting transmission development, but I also am one to find the limits of things I operate, so.......

Several of my fellow ski patrollers have gone off the side during especially slick evenings. Never made it very far though. Either got high centered and teetered on the edge, or went over and got stopped by a tree in short order. Had a family go over one evening on about a 50 degree slope, made it down about 40 feet or so. Whole family (including the dog if I remember right) got out, climbed up that hill in the snow and flagged down a motorist who came told us. Couple of them got backboards, and got transported.

So, there's a chance I'll have a Ranger story to tell if I push that weird 3rd gear shifting thing. Maybe I'll just strap the action cam headband on just in case.

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