Auto Trans Downshift When It Shouldn't - Drivetrain Tech - Tech Section

Not logged in - Login | Register

Posted: Sat Oct 18th, 2025 11:33 pm

Quote

1^st Post

mhoward
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!

Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017

Location: Evansville, USA

Posts: 2751

Name: Michael ...

Occupation: Technology Manager ...

Interests: Trucks / Guitars & Music / Things that go BANG ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2751

Member's Gallery

Okay, all you auto-trans gurus out there. 2003 Ranger Edge / 3.0L / 5r44e Auto / 2WD.

June 01 2024, complete drain, filter, valve body gaskets, fresh Motorcraft Mercon V fluid with band adjustments. 20K on this trans service with no issues.

Earlier this week, trans is starting to act up in the following manner: 2nd gear at 40 mph @ 2500 rpm, (mild pull) the trans will suddenly downshift back into 1st gear, causing the RPMs to shoot up to around 4000. If I manually shift into 2nd gear, it straightens right out -= OR =- hit the gas and it will shift back into 2nd and on through the rest of the gears. This is an INTERMITTENT problem; doesn't always do this. Doesn't matter if it is warm or cold. I can drive aggressively and it performs flawlessly with smooth, firm, positive shifts through all gears. There is no slippage in any gear... just this annoying occasional downshift. My thoughts are a failing shift solenoid, but since I'm not a transmission guy, that is just a (not so educated) guess based on some very loose logic. As I said, the trans was serviced about 16 months ago and the fluid is full, clean and red with no smell other than that of trans fluid. In my mind, I have ruled out the pump due to the problem is intermittent.

My plan is to connect to the truck with ForScan Extended License and see if it will show me any DTCs or possibly some livestream data on shift points, etc.

Do any of you transmission guys out there have a suggestion of what could be the problem?

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Sun Oct 19th, 2025 05:45 pm

Quote

2^nd Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

Posts: 6482

Name: Jim ...

Occupation: 5 axis cnc programmer ...

Interests: RBV's ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 6482

Member's Gallery

My silver one, same basic setup did that AND if I was going up a slight incline it wouldn't shift to the next gear until later in the rpm range.

I didn't get a chance to diagnose it because it simply stopped doing it. All by itself.

When it would do it the "OD" light would start flashing then stop and stay on. Is your overdrive light coming on?

____________________
00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! JalapeÃ±o
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
The future belongs to those who show up.

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Tue Oct 21st, 2025 01:10 am

Quote

3^rd Post

mhoward
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!

Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017

Location: Evansville, USA

Posts: 2751

Name: Michael ...

Occupation: Technology Manager ...

Interests: Trucks / Guitars & Music / Things that go BANG ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2751

Member's Gallery

SOMETIMES, the OD light will start flashing. Once it starts, it doesn't stop until I shut the truck off and restart it later.

It has gotten much worse since I posted on Saturday. It now does it EVERY time it hits that 35 to 45 mph mark and sometimes even at 50 mph. The behavior made me think shift solenoid, but now I'm not so sure. I took off from work this evening and started out in shift position 1. I held it in 1st gear all the way up to 45 mph and the tach didn't reach 4000 rpm like it does when it screws up, so what is it REALLY doing? I'm about ready to light a match to this thing and buy a Chevy...

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Tue Oct 21st, 2025 02:58 pm

Quote

4^th Post

mhoward
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!

Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017

Location: Evansville, USA

Posts: 2751

Name: Michael ...

Occupation: Technology Manager ...

Interests: Trucks / Guitars & Music / Things that go BANG ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2751

Member's Gallery

Okay, ForScan shows a P1702 DTC. The internet says a Ford P1702 code is a faulty Transmission Range Sensor (neutral safety switch). I replaced that back in April 2025 because it was getting sloppy and not turning on my backup lights/park assist sensors/rear view camera. It has been working just fine, and still does as far as starter interlock and the aforementioned reverse options. I contacted the entity I purchased it from and they are sending me a new replacement one. So, I will replace that and see what I get. At least that won't cost me anything but 20 minutes of my time. Wish me luck...

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Thu Oct 23rd, 2025 11:50 pm

Quote

5^th Post

mhoward
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!

Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017

Location: Evansville, USA

Posts: 2751

Name: Michael ...

Occupation: Technology Manager ...

Interests: Trucks / Guitars & Music / Things that go BANG ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2751

Member's Gallery

Well, the plot thickens!

My eBay seller decided they don't owe me a replacement TRS, so I ordered one from Amazon. Will be here Friday.

I have noticed a couple of issues that point even harder at the TRS. I have auto-locks enabled on my truck. When I go somewhere like work or whatever, and arrive and park; the auto-locks actuate when I put the truck in Park. Hmmm... Also, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that sometimes when reversing, my backup camera would be just black; no image. Other times it works fine. Yep, the camera is enabled by the TRS...

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Fri Oct 24th, 2025 05:48 am

Quote

6^th Post

JAMMAN

Owns A Torsen

Joined: Mon Sep 18th, 2017

Location: Grove City, Ohio USA

Posts: 6482

Name: Jim ...

Occupation: 5 axis cnc programmer ...

Interests: RBV's ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 6482

Member's Gallery

I'm following, this is ending up to be quite a trip!

____________________
00 XLT 4WD RCSB 3.GO! JalapeÃ±o
01 XLT 2WD RC Steppie 3.0 auto Silver
The future belongs to those who show up.

Already liked -

Quote

Posted: Sun Oct 26th, 2025 01:36 pm

Quote

7^th Post

mhoward
Hey look ~ they ~ bounce!

Joined: Sun Oct 22nd, 2017

Location: Evansville, USA

Posts: 2751

Name: Michael ...

Occupation: Technology Manager ...

Interests: Trucks / Guitars & Music / Things that go BANG ...

Status:

Offline

Reputation:

Reputation Points: 2751

Member's Gallery

I got home Friday from work. I grabbed the necessary tools and some cardboard to lay on and began removing the old TRS. Got it off and cleaned up the shaft with sandpaper/wire brush (although it wasn't really that rusty). I put a thin coat of grease on the shaft to aid in a smooth installation and maybe prevent future rusting. Just as I crawled out from under to wait for the part to arrive, the Amazon truck pulls up. Perfect timing! LOL Less than 10 minutes later, I had the TRS installed and tested for proper start function in Park and Neutral. Took it for a test drive...

Unfortunately, the problem remains. :-(

I hooked my laptop back up and the P1702 code is gone. But there are no other codes, so ForScan thinks my tranny is just fine. Ugh!

This morning, my offer was accepted for a full set of 6 shift solenoids on eBay, so those will be here mid to late week. Also have a filter and gasket coming from Amazon, so guess what I will be doing Friday night?!

I hate transmission issues. Apparently transmission DTCs don't mean squat.

____________________
-- Michael

2003 Ranger Edge / Extended Cab / Flareside / 3.0L FLEX / 5r44e Auto / 2WD / 8.8 LS 4:10 / Sonic Blue Pearl

So many mods... so little time...

Already liked -

Quote

Current time is 07:00 pm	Top
Ford-Rangers.com Ranger Forum > Tech Section > Drivetrain Tech > Auto Trans Downshift When It Shouldn't
Users viewing this topic