Hi all,
My 2000 Expedition started to shift into 2nd gear late and hard a few weeks ago. All other shifts are smooth and normal. The problem is only noticable when accelerating slowly. The truck has been driven for 75,000 well maintained miles. A trans flush has not helped. Any ideas?
Thanks, Pepster

 

i was reading in my owners manual the other day, and read where if you unplug your battery the transmission will have to relearn the shift patterns. you might try that.

 

i second lbx5's suggestion - nothing better than a simple fix (if that's actually it)

 

I had a similar problem about two years ago when I had approx. 75000 miles on my Exp. I took it to a transmission shop that came very highly recommended by several sources including my mechanic. They determined that I had a broken spring in a valve modulator that cotnrols the shift from first to second gear. Anyway, $300 later the transmission worked fine and continues to work fine. I am now at 90000 miles.

 

Thanks for the reponse and suggestions. I'll try the battery disconnect today but the way my luck has been running lately, I doubt that will solve the problem. I'll let you know what happens.
Pepster

 

Does anyone know if the transmission needs to be removed to fix the "broken spring in a valve modulator that cotnrols the shift from second to third gear?" Is it possible for a home mechanic to do this?

 

I too am interested in the thread. My 2000, with over 100k miles has recently seemed to occasionaly shift late, but not particularly hard. i might try the battery disconnect and see what that gets me.

 

No you do not have to remove it. Most of that stuff is in the valve body, located just inside the pan under the tranny. Not sure about the 4R100 but if you want to read all about the 4R70W then go here; http://www.tccoa.com/articles/

 

98blueexpedition, I have the 4R100 tranny and I also noticed in my previous posting that I should have stated second to third not first to second. The shop that did my transmission did not have to remove the transmission. From what the shop described, I probably could have done the job myself, however I don't like to waste vacation days on projects like that. For one thing I am not sure where I would buy an individual spring like that.

 

I am going to take it in to have them look at it. Thanks for the posts. I'll let you know what happens.

 

By the way 98expeditionXLT, I saw this post was years ago. How is the transmission working? Still going strong i hope!!!

 

Since that transmission repair, I have had no further transmission problems. At the time, the shop owner knew almost immediately what the problem was. I now have 94000 miles on the Exp., don't drive it as much right now because the oldest one is in college and we use her car instead, but when I use the Exp it is to tow a boat or along one of the beaches on Cape Cod. I am due to change the transmission fluid with the next oil change and it will be interesting to see the condition of the fluid.

 

The first place i brought this problem to said i needed a complete Transmission overhaul. Well, they wanted over 2K to do the job. They never mentioned the valve body springs at all., or even investigating it. They charged me $90 for a bogus diagnostic. i would not use these guys again. They are .Smitty's Automatic Transmission Service in Wallingford CT

I brought it to a second place called Eastern Automatic Transmission in Wallingford CT. Mario diagnosed the problem to be the spring. Well $350 Later the transmission works perfect. That price included a transmission/torque converter flush too. Good Guys.

I called the original place back (Smitty's Automatic Transmission Service in Wallingford CT) to let them know what happened and they would not give me a break on the diagnostic fee. He said it was a Band-Aid for the main problem and he stands by his diagnostic. I think that is a load of BS if you ask me.

This site is great and saved me a ton of cash.

Thanks All.

 

98blueexpedition, glad to hear that your transmission problem was not a major problem. Your results also give me a lot of confidence in the repair and transmission shop I have used in the last few years. I complain about the repair shop being somewhat expensive, however I have never had to return to him after a repair.
On another note isn't it amazing that Ford Motor Company cannot even design a compression spring properly. Another example are the suspension springs on the Taurus.

 

Yeah, it is not very encouraging considering the Taurus, but i hope this solves the transmission problem for good.