'11 F150 5.0 6speed auto. 127K miles with no issues. Front trans seal TSB was performed at approximately 20K. This was after it 'puked out' most of the fluid when I took a trip to Chicago, crossed through the Smokey's while using the tow haul feature. Last week I shifted from reverse to drive, engine light came on and I was stuck in 3rd gear "limp mode?" Long story short. Cleaned battery cables and it seemed to shift fine but engine light was still on. This was lunch time. At the end of the day I drove the truck to the dealer, still stuck in 3rd, while on the way my friend following me called me on the cell to pull over, truck was smoking. On the shoulder, engine running, trans fluid pouring from the bell housing. Tow to the dealer, diagnosed as a burnt trans pump and a wiring/power fault to the trans. $2000 repair. I have read several post about 2011 trans "PCM" and wiring problems. Should this be a recall? Did driving in "limp mode" burn the pump? Has anyone else had this problem or one similar?

 

The Pump is damaged because the seal failed. low fluid can damage the pump. the torque converter hub is also going to be damaged as well.................... the electric fault didnt cause that to start with. that is a separate issue. most places dont know or understand transmissions.

 

The electrical issue was first. I just serviced the Trans about 6k ago so I doubt there was a low fluid issue because I did the service myself and by the book. There were no leaks whatsoever. I was just under it before I drove it to the dealer IN LIMP MODE. I have never seen a front seal BLOW OUT and puke all the fluid at once and I drove it about a mile once it started leaking. My question was. Did driving the Trans in limp mode or stuck in third gear somehow over pressurize the Trans and BLOW the seal? Is this Trans so finicky that driving it a mile while it's **** in fluid out burns the pump. I have read posts about the wires in the Trans harness chafing and shorting out causing the "stuck in 3rd gear" issue. This is a defect that Ford refuses to acknowledge. I'm basically trying to justify my suspecion that Ford is at fault.

 

when it started leaking, you shouldnt have driven it. by the book doesnt always solve the problem. the 6R80 isnt known for having problems............. how many miles??

 

I think everyone is getting out of sync here. No pun intended. Here is the sequence of events. Check engine light came on when I shifted into drive, Trans was stuck in third gear. I was driving it to the dealer when the trans started leaking. I wouldn't have known it was leaking if my ride home wasn't following behind me. Therefore, I didn't intentionately drive it while it was leaking, it took about a mile worth of driving for my friend to call and bring my attention to the problem and to get stopped. So, the electrical problem caused the transmission "limp mode" issue and driving it in straight 3rd gear blew the seal and burnt the pump. In other words I'm seeing it as, by design, something minor goes wrong, kicks it into limp mode and allows you to drive it far enough to cause a bigger, more expensive repair. 127000 miles.

 

Usually when a transmission locks itself into a gear, it is to protect the transmission from damage. I don't see how locking into third caused your damage. Personally if my transmission knowingly locked into a gear, I would be calling a tow truck. I wouldn't have traveled one foot unless I was in an unsafe situation.