TorqShift Tranny - Hard downshift

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Sep 21, 2008 | 10:55 PM

carmk

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Nov 2005

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TorqShift Tranny - Hard downshift

I have an 05 Excur Limited with the 6.0PSD and TorqShift transmission with 40K miles. When towing my travel trailer (well within weight limits), it will occaisionally downshft VERY HARD from 2nd to 1st as I am about to come to a stop. The downshift literally shakes the truck. It only occures when hooked up to the trailer and when the OD is off. If I leave the OD on, then it does not happen.

Took it to Ford a while back and they could not find the problem. No codes, no lights, nothing. I had the trailer hooked up and was able to replicate the problem. Still, they were unable to find out what was happening. They said to "drive it till a light comes on or it breaks"!! Just what I want to hear from my trusty Ford dealer!

Has anybody else had this problem? It started about 2500 miles ago. Again, only happens when I have the trailer hooked up and the OD off.

Any transmission experts out there?

Sep 22, 2008 | 01:12 AM

weekendwarriorfsw32

Master of Strokes

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 6,808

Likes: 25

From: CA

First off on the TorqShift transmission there is no O/D when you push the button it turns on something called Tow Haul and what that does is when you brake it down shifts to help slow you down I think this is what you feeling.

Sep 22, 2008 | 01:46 AM

Monsta

Sit. Stay.

Joined: Oct 2001

Posts: 18,308

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From: Washington State

I'm with Nick on this one.

The downshift to first with the Tow/Haul can be kinda harsh depending on the speed in which it downshifts. My only experience is 5500 miles on a motorhome that was equipped with the Torqshift so I cannot attest to yours being normal or not.

Sep 24, 2008 | 10:58 PM

carmk

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Nov 2005

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Nick and Monsta -

Thanks for the clarification. Agree that that the OD Off is really a Tow Haul mode.

But I still think I have a problem. The downshift from 2nd to 1st is REALLY hard now. It jolts the truck. I am sure I have a problem since it only started doing it late this summer . I have towed with my Ex for two summers and this is happening new.

I am going to try the Ford dealer again...but don't have much faith in them.

Anybody else with the TorqShift experience this?

Thanks

Sep 25, 2008 | 07:56 AM

Mark Kovalsky

Frmr Ford Trans Engr

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 24,740

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From: SE Florida

Before trying the dealer disconnect both batteries for about 10 minutes. This will clear the keep alive memory. I suspect your trans has "learned" itself into a hole that it can't find a way out. It happens once in a while. This may eliminate your problem for another two years.

Sep 25, 2008 | 09:33 PM

bmenzel

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 209

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From: Cocoa, FL

Mark,
Would it make any sense to disconnect the batteries and clear the keep alive memory every 6 months or so? Maybe some of the things the truck's ECM has learned should be re-learned? Just a wild thought.