I have a 2007 Escape XLT with the 3.0L V6. It takes around 4,000 rpm to make it hit second gear and it doesn't go into over-drive at all. After a few minutes of driving the "over-drive off" light on the dash comes on. No one has turned the over-drive off it just doesn't go into over-drive. The car has 174,000 miles on it and the transmission has around 116,000 on it. The transmission was replaced new under warranty by Ford at 57,000 miles. Anyway, I've done some research and it can either be the transmission control module that needs to be reprogrammed or a shift solenoid or two that need to be replaced. I've worked on all kinds of rear wheel drive cars and trucks over the years and still do but I avoid these little sideways motored monsters if at all possible, however I hate to let it sit up unused. Good news though, we parked this thing and my wife got an F150 Eco-boost. Yay me!!! It's get better mileage than the Escape did. So anyway, the Escape still runs fine and doesn't act like it's slipping or anything like that. I was wondering if someone with some Escape experience might want to share their wisdom and knowledge concerning this situation. Thanks in advance and any help would be appreciated.

 

There are two ways to approach this. The better way is to get the codes read so that we know where the problem is. The other way is to get a list of all the parts that could possibly cause a problem. Then you start replacing them until you fix it, or more likely, run out of money.

To read the codes the best way is to download Forscan from www.Forscan.org. It's a free download. You will need an ELM327 to attach your phone or laptop to the OBD-II port. I bought mine at Amazon for less than $30. You could also take it to a good independent shop or a Ford dealer to read the codes. The places that read codes free CANNOT read the transmission codes that you need. Post the code numbers here and we can help diagnose what's wrong.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm familiar with the Forscan and the ELM327 adapter as that's the direction I was leaning toward going based on my research. I'll do that and post the trans codes when I get them. Thanks again.

 

I'd go put on a limb and speculate that its a broken O/D Band. Pretty common failure for the CD4E. IIRC, it will post a P0732 & a P0734 code pair. My 07's first tranny at least had the courtesy for the band to fail just before it went out of warranty... Of course, it only made it to 105K before it failed completely. The replacement now has another105K on it so I guess, with my luck, it will also die.

Good news is that, if it's the band, 1) it's a inexpensive fix and 2) it can be done without dropping the transmission.