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Violent downshifts

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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:03 PM
  #1  
zracer34's Avatar
zracer34
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Violent downshifts

I have a 2005 Ex. with 6.0L PS...87,000 miles. Recently when pulling a trailer in tow mode, the transmission downshifts violently from third to second, and second to first, but only in tow mode. Feels like the tranny's going to fall out on the road or break a driveshaft. The dealer says that everything checks out. I have had the transmission serviced every 25k miles. Anyone experience this?
 
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:41 PM
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I had this same thing happen to me. 2005 Ex 6.0 PSD - same vehicle. Same scenario - towing a trailer in Tow/Haul. It would only happen when towing and in T/H. Hard downshifts between 2nd and 1st. It started at 36,250 miles - right after the warrenty ended!!

I took mine in. Dealer said the same thing. They could duplicate it but could not identify the problem. Told me to continue driving it until the transmission stopped working, it put out a code, or the engine light came on.

At 49,500 miles I took it back to another dealer as I have a 3,500 mile tow trip coming up and wanted it to get fixed. 2nd dealer figured it out. It was 3 of the transmission selenoids that had gone bad. They took a few days to fix them and now all is great. Cost me $1100. No code, no light - they opened the tranny up and took a look. Identified it right away. I recommend you have them do this. It is the exact same scenario. It will cost you some money but well worth knowing your tranny is working correctly.

Too bad this has to happen to a tranny that is supposed to be built for tough hauling.

Let me know if you have more questions. I am very willing to help a guy with the same problem get it fixed quickly.
 
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Old May 10, 2009 | 10:06 PM
  #3  
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gr8scott72
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From: Summit, MS
Originally Posted by carmk
I had this same thing happen to me. 2005 Ex 6.0 PSD - same vehicle. Same scenario - towing a trailer in Tow/Haul. It would only happen when towing and in T/H. Hard downshifts between 2nd and 1st. It started at 36,250 miles - right after the warrenty ended!!

I took mine in. Dealer said the same thing. They could duplicate it but could not identify the problem. Told me to continue driving it until the transmission stopped working, it put out a code, or the engine light came on.

At 49,500 miles I took it back to another dealer as I have a 3,500 mile tow trip coming up and wanted it to get fixed. 2nd dealer figured it out. It was 3 of the transmission selenoids that had gone bad. They took a few days to fix them and now all is great. Cost me $1100. No code, no light - they opened the tranny up and took a look. Identified it right away. I recommend you have them do this. It is the exact same scenario. It will cost you some money but well worth knowing your tranny is working correctly.

Too bad this has to happen to a tranny that is supposed to be built for tough hauling.

Let me know if you have more questions. I am very willing to help a guy with the same problem get it fixed quickly.
How about part numbers of the 3 solenoids so he doesn't have to spend $1,100? Are they listed on your receipt?
 
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Old May 11, 2009 | 01:51 AM
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I thought these things were warrantied..
 
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Old May 11, 2009 | 07:58 AM
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Thanks.

I'm going to call the dealer.Maybe this will ring a bell with them.
If you have the part numbers that would be great.
 
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Old May 11, 2009 | 09:29 PM
  #6  
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Mark Kovalsky
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Originally Posted by bigdog55
I thought these things were warrantied..
Not forever.

Before July, 2006 they were warrantied for 3 years or 36,000 miles. After that date the warranty improved to 5 years or 50,000 miles.
 
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Old May 11, 2009 | 11:54 PM
  #7  
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I do not have the part numbers. The job seemed pretty big - it was their heavy duty tranny tech that performed the work. Not sure how skilled you are, but it would be too much for the average backyard mechanic.

Good luck getting it fixed.
 
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