Last week I purchased a used 02 Explorer Limited with 60K miles. The automatic transmission was annoying me to the point of taking it back (all upshifts were delayed about a second, downshifts tended to bang into gear, and the tranny would kind of buck coming to a stop). First I checked this forum for possible fixes to the problem and saw a post about reprogramming the ECM by the dealer.
I took it in and the service guy said "I own an 03 and it does the same thing." I told him that was not an acceptable answer and either attempt to fix it or I'll complain to Ford. The service manager then got involved and researched the issue. There is a service memo from Ford (not a bulletin) that describes problems with trans. shift points and an EPROM software update should be attempted before opening up the transmission. He then downloaded the latest software and didn't charge me because of the previous discussion with the service guy.
This transmission now operates perfectly. Shifting is ultra smooth and all of the previous issues are gone just from the software update. If your Explorer is giving you fits, I highly recommend doing this before attempting other forms of repair. Good luck!

 

Have you had any more issues with your shifts. My Explorer suffers from slow upshifts, and I think the engine even revs a little between shifts. Did the new program fix this? Also, I think that I read about someone getting a clunk when shifting in and out of reverse after having the tranny reprogrammed at the dealer. Do you now have this problem?

Thanks for the info, I am thinking about having this done to mine, but I am out of warrany. It is a 2002 that was purchased in 11/01. I just bought it 2 months ago.

Craig

 

I have had no issues since having the ECM shiftpoints reprogrammed. All previous problems are gone (delayed shifts, thumping on downshifts and thump into reverse). It feels like a new transmission and almost as smooth as my Town Car. What I had done really seems to be the fix for these transmissions, and I highly recommend having it done. Call the dealership for a quote, but it can't be more than $150 and takes about 15 minutes.

 

Thanks for the info. I am glad that you aren't having any more issues. I always thought that it was the computer because it shifted better after disconnecting the battery. Once it relearned, it started having these delayed shifts again.

Do you know what RPM your tranny shifts at if you give it about 1/4 throttle. Mine waits until about 4k. This is great if you are over 1/2 throttle, but it sucks when you are just giving it a little bit of gas. Is this another issue that will be resolved with a reprogram?

Thanks,
Craig

 

Near 2K at 1/4 throttle. The ECM controls shiftpoints, so the reprogram should fix it. Even at moderate throttle I have never reached more than 3.5K

 

Another key for that transmission, replace or have the fluid replaced with the UPDATED Mercon V fluid. This one comes in the black bottles. I work for Ford dealership, and we are now getting a lot of concerns like this, that is related to a wrong based fluid in these transmissions

 

Also see post on page two of this forum "Ford Mulls Explorer Recall" dated 12/04/04. I posted my experiences with this issue several months back and what I had found to be the fix, which in my case was replacing the solenoid and the transmission fluid which cured the problem with the weird shifts and the delayed engagement going from Reverse to Drive. Now my 2004 is at the dealer with a grinding in the front end and a leaking front half shaft. I was told I need a part but that it will be 1-3 weeks as they have to pull the part off the assembly line. As to the bucking in the front end when I make hard turns in parking lots, my answer was that they are aware of the problem but haven't come up with a fix yet. This is my third Explorer but I'm starting to think Japanese.

 

The Explorer is my wife's, so I don't get to drive it that much. I will try to take it out over the next couple of days and write down exactly how it shifts. I have not noticed the delayed reverse, but I usually wait a little bit before taking off in the new gear. I have heard the clunking in the front end and my wife said that she does hear it quite a bit. I sounds like when you are locked in to 4wheel drive and try to turn on pavement. If I can get the clunking to repeat, I might try to disable the auto 4x4 by pulling a couple fuses and see if it goes away. I also want to disconnect the battery and see if the shifting changes. I think that the thing shifted better when we first got it and I drag raced it a couple times. I had also had the battery disconnected to install the fog light kit. The manual states that the tranny my shift firmer after disconecting the battery until it "relearns" how to shift. Unfortunataly, it seems to learn how to shift like crap. If the delayed shifts go away after a battery disconnect, then I would definitely say that a reprogram should fix it.

Craig

 

Pull the part off the assembly line?? I have worked at the local ford dealership for a few years, and i never heard of that, nor do i know how you get that information. Fords ordering system only tells whether its in stock, who has the part (depot), and/or if its on backorder. Sounds like a stalling tactic that the dealer is using to put you off, or maybe pass you to another dealer??? Plus I dont see how a part for a 2004 is still on the assembly line and not available seperatly, we are ready for 05's

 

Here is a link to a forum on the Ranger side talking about the slipping shifts.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...02#post2193202

Does my 2002 Explorer have this valve-body gasket problem, or does it just need to be reprogrammed. I think that I have an early Explorer b/c the original owner purchased it in November of 01. It is a 4.6 4X4 w/ tow package.

Craig

 

Also, how do we get ahold of the TSB's? I would love to read all of these and see exactly which models and years were affected.

Craig