Just bought a 2006 E360 w/ 5.4L engine.

When in "Drive" the AT engagement from Neutral to 1st will not engage smoothly unless you accelerate very slowly (too slow for city traffic). Otherwise RPMs go up in Neutral and it engages first gear about 1-2 seconds later with a hard kick.

Sometimes when stopped while in "Drive", you can feel first gear keep trying to kick in (even though my foot is on the break and the van isn't moving). It gives small kicks repeatedly as it tries to engage then reverts to Neutral.

Manually shifting to 1st gear and starting that way from a full stop usually works normal, allowing quick smooth acceleration at normal speed.

Once you get ~5 MPH all shifting into upper gears seems perfect 95% of the time.

Sometimes on the highway (60-75Mph) when coasting it will sporadically down shift then immediately upshift returning to the gear it was in.

Most of the time when I floor the acceleration on the highway to overtake, it smoothly downshifts to give move power, then upshifts when I let off (just like it should). But one time it appeared to downshift 2 gears so it hit hard, and I opted to immediately let off the accelerator pedal at which point it promptly returned to a smooth higher gear.

Today driving it from UT to NM the Overdrive OFF light flashed for ~75 miles. After stopping the car & shutting off for 15 minutes, this never happened again for the next 240 miles.

I've been driving the van in the city for 3 days, and the Overdrive OFF light never flashed then either.

Any idea what the problem could be?

 

By the way, using the Overdrive button to quickly disable it while descending steep roads, correctly & smoothly downshifts. Pressing it again afterward to re-enable Overdrive also works correctly & smoothly. This was true even while the Overdrive light was blinking.

 

No, but the computer has an idea. That's why the OD OFF light flashed. That means a transmission error code has been stored in the computer's memory. You need the proper scan tool to read these codes. The auto parts stores that read codes free CANNOT read these codes. You need either a good independent shop or a Ford dealer to read them. Without the codes all anyone can do is guess.

 

How many miles are on it? Just curious.

 

156,000

I called a few shops who want $75-175 to give me the diagnostic info from the tranny.

One recommended I make sure the fluid isn't low. I've never checked my trans fluid before, but it doesn't appear to be low.

Just for kicks I stopped by AutoZone to let them try to read the diagnostic info. Initially they couldn't get any reading. Turned out the fuse powering the computer diagnostic connector was blown. Replaced it and their reader then worked, but there were no diagnostic codes stored.

I don't know whether that's because the fuse was blown (maybe the codes couldn't be stored), or because as you say the free diagnostic readers can't read these messages.

The other suspicion is whether he couldn't read it because the Overdrive OFF light is no longer flashing.

Any more ideas on this would be appreciated. One tranny shop told me they charge $2,600.00 for a new tranny for these vans.

But I've heard others say it's closer to $1,500.00.

 

The 4R70W has a problem with 2-3 accumulator problems as far as I know. I remember it is a TSB. That is the extent of my knowledge.

In my experience if the light is flashing, do not turn off the truck, go get it read immediately. I never had codes when my light was off, but I caught it when the light was flashing and it gave P1756 and P1761 and a couple others if I remember correctly.

I think, however if you want to keep your van a while, go for a rebuild. Mine was rebuilt at 168k and is doing well. My overdrive was burnt out, 2-3 accumulator was shot and the torque converter clutch was shuttering. My TCIL was flashing and would stay like that for a while then go away and come back. I paid $2500. That was my original transmission rebuilt, a new converter, new fluid, and a PCM update, then making sure it all worked correctly and a 2 year warranty.

 

see post # 2
he is the trans EXPERT
regular scanners can not read the codes

 

Alrighty then. That will be my next step next week.

If the tranny does need rebuilt/replaced, do you recommend I have a pro shop rebuild it, or have them buy a rebuilt/refurbished one? Is there a benefit to one of these approaches over the other?

I've been told by two reputable lower-cost mechanics that putting a new tranny in would cost ~$1,500.

But the shop I called yesterday who exclusively specializes in ATS said $2,600.00 to rebuild it. And one of the last posts here was someone who paid even more than that.

I want to make sure we do it right the first time, as we just bought this van and plan to run it for 5-10 years to lug our family around.

But I also don't want to overpay just because I'm paying for the "brand" of a shop who has built a good reputation over time (well, according to Google reviews, they may not be so great anyway, but there are only a few and I take it with a grain of salt, as the shop has been around many years and almost exclusively does ATS work).

Anyway I'm pretty ignorant here, so your recommendations on what I should require of any mechanics who do the work would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
-
Doug

 

SMH.

The OD light does not need to be flashing to read codes. The codes stay in memory for about a month after the last time the light flashed. Those who will tell you that the light has to be flashing are just trying to cover up that they are not able to read the codes.

 

Cool. I'll see about taking it in to a shop Monday. In your experience are most professional auto mechanic shops able to read the tranny codes, or usually only shops who specialize in trannys?

 

Most professional shops can read transmission codes.

 

K. Thanks!

 

If you've never checked the fluid level, how can you make a statement about its appearance?

 

Google. YouTube.

 

Ok how's the fluid level on my van?