Had a problem develop with the colder weather to my new to me 2011 F150 with the 5.0 and 6R80. The reverse indicator will not light when selected and of course, this means no reverse motion. Problem clears up when the transmission warms up and Code P0705 is present.

Now, I know this is covered under an old recall, (12C23), but my truck is outside the date range. There also is an extended warranty under 19N01 and I have an upcoming appointment to see if my truck qualifies.

I know this is symptomatic of a failing transmission range selector switch which is part of what Ford calls the lead frame assembly inside the 6R80 transmission. It's not impossible for a DIY repair, but it appears that getting the part is quite difficult. My Ford dealer says it took several months to get the part over this last summer. A couple of on line checks shows it out of stock from most vendors. Part # is AL3Z-7G276-D

Any leads on where to get this part?

 

https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/parts...&filter=(40262)

Call and ask if it's in stock, the web page didn't indicate either/or. I've spent many a $$ at that website, quality genuine Ford parts

 

Thanks. Live chat did not provide a firm answer.

We can only check if a part is available for purchase and not if it is in stock because we do not stock the items at this location. This is just a customer service center located in Southern California, and parts ship directly from dealer warehouses throughout the US.

Good to know they will provide the genuine item and they can ship to Canada which also is important.

 

These 3 dealer links will allow me to add it to the cart, so they may have some. I've ordered online from the first two and picked parts up at the Barrhaven location because it's 20 mins from me on the other side of Ottawa.

Transmission Control Module Connector AL3Z-7G276-D | Barrhaven Ford Parts Depot

Transmission Control Module Connector AL3Z-7G276-D | Discount Ford Parts

AL3Z-7G276-D - Transmission Control Module Connector - Eastgate Ford Parts CA (eastgatefordpartscanada.ca)

 

Well, this just got a whole lot more interesting.

First, thanks for the leads on finding the part. I will have parts headed this way ASAP>

On to the problem. As described, the problem very closely follows what is described in 12C23, but my truck falls outside the date range. I will give my dealership full props for suggesting the extended warranty, 19N01, may apply and investigating that for me. Turns out, they believe my problem may lie elsewhere. Namely, I may have a failing pump. Effectively, the answer is replace the transmission.

I won't discount that theory because there is a chance that may be the case, but my symptoms are the lack of reverse and the indicator when cold and code P0705, which indicates a transmission range selector problem. There are no leaks, shifts are firm and smooth, there is no noise or whine as you may expect from a failing pump and my fuel mileage has not changed. Typically 13L/100KM or better. So, I am going to go ahead and change the lead frame as I believe this is the real problem. Watched this video and it looks fairly straightforward.
I do have some additional symptoms. There were a few occasions this past summer where I suspected the neutral safety switch may be adjusted too close in the Park position. Of course, this is part of the transmission range switch which is part of the lead frame. I also did some driveway testing to see when the problem registered as a code and found the dashboard kind of lost it's mind if I shifted into the 1/2/M positions. Lost all indication on both the PRDM12 display and the 1 to 6 gear indicator. Display reset and all worked properly when I shut off the key and immediately restarted. Also had an incident where the 1 to 6 gear indicator did not come on in normal driving.

I'll post the outcome after my new parts are installed.

 

Here's an off-the-wall thought.

In the early 2000s, the two star-drive bolts holding the gear-select assembly in place were prone to backing out, leaving the shift lever a bit loose and gear select position a mystery.

I have no idea if it affects 2011s, but it's a fairly easy thing to check. Those bolts backing off a bit could give you most of the symptoms that you've described.

 

Well, it's time for an update;

First, on finding the lead frame, there is a very surprising trend here where the Canadian sourced parts are much less expensive than the price in the U.S.A. The links provided by 2011 aka Ticky bears this out and it really was not much more to order from the local Ford dealer. Still, it would seem that parts are back ordered till who knows when? You really don't know till you place the order.

So, the trip to the dealer looking for possible warranty came to naught. I will give the dealer credit for examining this without cost to me. As it turns out, my truck is outside the build date range on 12C23 and I did not have the necessary codes present for 19N01. I did have a code P0705, (Transmission range selector), but I did not have P0720, P0722, or P0731, which are codes for the output shaft speed sensor. The dealer told me I had a failing transmission pump and had referred me to a local transmission rebuild shop. They attached a laundry list of parts which are present on TSB 14-0217. This TSB is focused on delayed shift engagement, (which is not a symptom I experienced or mentioned). I had some concerns about this and discussed the matter with the owner of the rebuild shop.

So, a little more on 12C23, this recall really covered two issues, both centered around the lead frame. One issue was the TRS switch, which is integral to the lead frame and how it would lose reverse, (the symptoms I experienced). The other, and potentially more serious problem was the output shaft speed sensor, also integral to the lead frame and intermittent failure could result in an unplanned drop into first gear at highway speeds which could lead to loss of control of the vehicle. Clearly, the latter issue was the concern in 19N01.The service writer at the Ford dealer clearly took some liberty in interpreting my symptoms as "delayed shifts", but that became their answer and the transmission shop owner had conversation directly with the dealership and was left with the impression that they had ordered parts and this was a warranty job. I had a different set of answers from the dealership and fortunately, the transmission shop owner and myself had an extended conversation about the issue before any work was done and these matters were cleared up. No parts on order and no warranty.

This particular transmission shop has an extremely good reputation in the area, although their service can be rather pricey. So is putting fuel in my truck, but I digress. I have a fairly extensive background in electronics and I am familiar with the types of sensors used in the lead frame for the range selector switch and the speed sensors. The shop had previous experience with the 6R80 transmission and suggested that the problem was reliably solved by thoroughly cleaning all the metallic debris that results from normal transmission operation from the lead frame sensors. Same solution for the TRS switch as for the speed sensors. We agreed on a fluid change along with cleaning of the lead frame. Took care of the potential leak at the connector shell and replaced the main pump transfer tube while all was apart. I have had the truck back for several days and it has performed flawlessly.

The transmission shop recommends fluid changes every 50K km. I believe Ford does not spec a transmission fluid change interval, but it seems apparent that the metallic component in the sludge that invariably builds up with wear can wreak havoc on those hall effect sensors inside the transmission pan, on the lead frame.

End tally, fluid and filter change, connector shell and transfer tube replaced, lead frame not changed, but cleaned. Because the 6R80 cannot be fully flushed via the cooler lines, the shop recommended that I change fluid again in 20K km. The truck currently has 119K km.

 

Thank you for the detailed explanation of the repair. Though mine has not been a problem this will be something I remember if i do encounter trouble.