Bad 3-5 flare/reverse issue
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 6
Bad 3-5 flare/reverse issue
On my 03 with 215k miles, no tune, stock besides exhaust.
This morning on my way to work I had a really bad 3-5 flare in shifts dropped the kids off of the in-laws and truck wouldn’t go into reverse. Cycled the shifter from drive to reverse a couple times and finally got it.
fluid is clean-no codes.
Bad direct drive solenoid? Or should I start pricing out a new trans?
zero issues prior to this.
This morning on my way to work I had a really bad 3-5 flare in shifts dropped the kids off of the in-laws and truck wouldn’t go into reverse. Cycled the shifter from drive to reverse a couple times and finally got it.
fluid is clean-no codes.
Bad direct drive solenoid? Or should I start pricing out a new trans?
zero issues prior to this.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
My SWAG is that your direct clutch is damaged, but it could be a sticking solenoid. If it is a sticking solenoid it should have a code set for that.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 6
That is because people don't do preventive maintenance. They just let it go until it does something like a 3-5 shift flare and won't go into reverse. So then they decide to do the overdue maintenance, but new fluid and filter can't fix the damaged clutch and the trans fails. Now they blame the fluid and filter change when the real reason is all those miles of neglect. You can't fix a broken transmission with new fluid.
My SWAG is that your direct clutch is damaged, but it could be a sticking solenoid. If it is a sticking solenoid it should have a code set for that.
My SWAG is that your direct clutch is damaged, but it could be a sticking solenoid. If it is a sticking solenoid it should have a code set for that.
I can completely agree with lack of proper maintenance and new fluid won’t cure the problem. Which is why that wasn’t the first thing I went and did. If I owned the truck since new I wouldn’t have a problem replacing the fluid. But I literally got it with zero proof of anything being maintained on the transmission.
Is it common for this transmission to literally have zero issues then all of a sudden act up over night? I drove the truck home last night and didn’t have any flare issues and reverse worked normally.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,739
Likes: 2,669
From: SE Florida
Nowhere in the specification that defined what the transmission had to do did it say that the transmission had to provide written notice two weeks before a failure. When something mechanical breaks, it breaks. Usually, there is no notice.
When you first got the truck and it was working fine was the time to change the fluid. It is unknown if that would have prevented this failure. I know for certain that it would not cause a failure. Now I think you need to change the transmission.
When you first got the truck and it was working fine was the time to change the fluid. It is unknown if that would have prevented this failure. I know for certain that it would not cause a failure. Now I think you need to change the transmission.
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 6
Ok, drove the truck again last night, and I didn’t have any issues at all.
I have a transmission out of an 03 with around 100k miles on it sitting at the shop. I’ll wait until this one acts up again or completely breaks before swapping it
I have a transmission out of an 03 with around 100k miles on it sitting at the shop. I’ll wait until this one acts up again or completely breaks before swapping it
Trending Topics
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 94
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 6
I have the scan gauge in the truck but as we all know...it’s terrible when it comes to pulling codes
Thread Starter
|
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 6
Just wanted to give an update. Not a single issue with the transmission at all. No flares/ reverse has been working fine. Still no codes. Maybe next time it acts up it’ll be completely blown-maybe it won’t act up again for a while.
either way, I have a spare trans sitting at the shop when the time comes.
either way, I have a spare trans sitting at the shop when the time comes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post