Yes I have searched! I have a 2004 V6 3.0 auto ranger, it has only happend twice and it happened when it was rather cold out like under 20 F. The truck didnt want to go into drive or reverse until some gas was given. No codes and the tranny fluid color is red. 44,000k miles........ ideas? Thanks.

 

You said the tranny fluid color was ok, but how was the dipstick level reading????

Has the tranny fluid & flter ever been changed in the 44K????

I had similar intermittent shifting problems about two years ago, with my 99 Ragers 5R55E & 94 Taurus AXODE trannies & both of them get the scheduled severe service filter & fluid change intervials & I'm easy on my equiptment, so I reasoned it must be some sludge or varnish hanging things up.

I tried a half can of Seafoam "Trans Tune" in the Taurus & it responded favorably in about one week, so I added the other half can & watched the color of the fluid closely, until the shifting problem ceased.

Then did a drop the pan filter change & full fluid pump out with new Motorcraft Mercon. It's been close to two years now & it's behaving ok. The color of the fluid never changed, nor were there any abnormal tranny pan deposits, or debris to be found & the tanny innards were squeeky clean inside, no varnish or sludge to be found anywhere.

Same kind of shifting problem began with the Ranger shortly there after, so I dosed it the same way as the Taurus & when it's shifting cleared up, did a filter change & full fluid pump out with Motorcraft Mercon-V. It too is still shifting ok.

So in both of my cases, the shift delay of going into gear, seems to have been deposit related & I keep both of my Ford rides well maintained. Seems these trannies are very sensitive to deposits & maybe the Motorcraft fluid isn't as robust as it needs to be.

Anyway the Trans Tune worked both times. It's just a detergent, to tidy things up inside, no seal swelling additives to get after "O" rings, plastic or composit parts, seals, or gaskets, & is freindly with the tranny clutch pack material & metal parts.

I've also used it in both vehicles P/S systems, that had developed off center "shudder" & after they cleared up I flushed them with new fluid. This was about a year ago.

So if you think it might be a deposit problem, maybe consider trying the Seafoam Trans Tune, at the recommended treat rate & see what happens.
Most autoparts stores carry it. Just don't get crazy & dump a whole load of detergent in there & break things up too fast & cause other problems, we want any dposits to be slowly dissolved, put in suspension, so they'll be removed with a fluid change, or so the tranny filter can catch them.

Just some recent expierences I've had & results obtained, for consideration.
Let us know what you do & how it goes.

 

I never put the additives in there. Transmission fluid is a carefully engineered fluid, and if it starts to break down, it should be replaced.

 

That's a good practice, but in this case, pawpaw changed to fresh fluid after the Seafoam had done it's work. Seems to have worked...