I have a 2003 250 diesel pickup . Started having trouble with the transmission when in towhaul. My 20 mph brake was down shifting hard, so I took it to the ford dealership and they disabled it. Told me it was a ford fix. I liked the transmission the way it was. Has anyone else had this problem???? I can't get anything else done with it. It has an automatic transmission and they told me to shift it manually. I bought a automatic, because I didn't want the hassle.

 

Here are some Ford bulletins that apply to your truck. A "flash" might fix the problem.

TorqShift Harsh/Slipping Engagements, Upshifts, and/or Downshifts:
If these symptoms are experienced after the batteries have been disconnected, then it is due to the transmission adaptive strategy being cleared from the computer. This may occur when the vehicle is delivered new from the factory as well. Warm the engine and transmission to operating temperature. Perform three series of upshifts at light, medium and heavy throttle. Perform three sets of gear engagements (N-R, N-D, D-R, R-D) with the brake pedal firmly depressed and waiting three seconds between each engagement. Peform these steps once in normal mode and once in tow/haul. Broadcast Message 1196

White/gray Smoke, Cold Start Performance Issues, Harsh 3-2 Downshift:
Trucks built before 9-30-03 may exhibit excessive smoke, rough running or misfire after extended idle or poor performance after a cold start, typically at altitudes above 5,000 feet. A harsh 3-2 downshift or a buck/jerk on accelerator tip-in/tip-out in tow/haul mode may also be present. To correct, reprogram the truck's computers with Running Change 7. Broadcast Message 1364; SSM #17437

2003 6.0 Driveability/TorqShift Shift or Engagement Concerns:
This is now covered by Customer Satisfaction Program 03B06. It applies to trucks build through 2-23-03. The program will be in affect until 12-31-05. Ford is authorizing a free oil and filter change under this program until 12-31-03.
Some trucks may exhibit a rough surging idle in drive or reverse when cold , poor throttle response when cold, or low power after extended idling cold. Other symptoms may include harsh shift engagements, harsh 2-3 upshift, 5-3 downshifts and cold 3-5 shift flair. There is a revised calibration for the PCM, FICM and TCM--all must be reprogrammed as a set using WDS version 24.6 or higher.

 

WELCOME to the site, please read the Guidelines… Check out the list of forums and make sure you read the headings and Read First: notices in each forum.
check out the 6.0 Bible…..
http://dan.prxy.org/Truck/6L_bible_html/html/TOC.html
Good luck

Enjoy FTE

 

According to area representative, there is not anything to remedy this problem except disabling the brake. This is what the engineer at Ford says to do. I think they should give me a new transmission if they can't repair what I bought to begin with. Am I wrong?? Give me some feedback please!!

 

I'm confused?
At certain speeds-rpm's if you jab the brake pedal with tow-haul on its going to be hard as opposed to soft.
Was it knock your teeth out kinda hard slowing down?

Are you saying that the dealer totally disabled the tow-haul engine brake function?
The fact that they actually had the nerve to tell you shift manually is proof that they don't deserve to work on your vehicle.
Go to another dealer if you can.

 

That is not fair! How do you get to post links that work and we can't?

 

HA HA, Read it SUPER MODERATOR he has all the power of the FTE world,

He's just flexin his muscles,

 

Yes, they disabled it and yes it was knock your teeth out hard when it shifted. The mechanic said the engineer at Ford told them to disabled it, that that was the only fix available.

 

I like making sure you guys have all the great stuff...........at your disposal

 

The logic you are being given falls apart in that most all of us have the same transmission that functions perfectly. Drive another 6.0 to confirm in your mind that yours is in fact defective and then demand your transmission be brought up to standard. I can't imagine a Ford engineer saying in effect it can't be fixed when most work just fine.

 

I drove the truck for a year towing 5th wheel camper. No problems whatsoever until this past July. It has been in the shop twice for this. The first time they did disable the brake. Didn't do anything the second time, but try and pacify me. We have talked to area rep and called Michigan. Can't get past our area rep. Everyone involved has said this is a Ford fix. I can't understand it or either. Love Ford trucks, love new truck, but starting to wish I kept my 96 power stroke!!

 

In Missouri where I live - three times for the same thing and the lemon law kicks in. The dealer even has to present you with your lemon law rights upon delivery. I have such a good dealer it would probably never come to something like that. In consideration of your complaint maybe they will give you a great deal on trading up to an 05 - nice improvements.

 

I appreciate the info, but the lemon law is more complicated in Indiana where I live and Ford says the problem is fixed, so the lemon law will not apply. The brake was disabled via computer at the company according to my mechanic at the dealership where I bought the truck. According to Ford the problem is solved. Does anyone know if the same transmissions are being used in the 04 and 05's?

 

From 03 to 05 IMO the trany is the same

 

Try the techs over on http://flatratetech.com/6literpowers...ultimatebb.cgi They are pretty good and talk with Ford on a weekly basis. Give them as much info as possible on the symptoms.