2005 Ford Expedition Logo
Alex Barrios Posted on Jul 01, 2013

Transmission not engaging 3rd or 4th gear

Former Police Vehicle. 140K miles. The Transmission was running smooth with nice colored Trans Oil. No Clunking or sounds warning of any potential issues. Worked fine one day and the next, when placed in Drive it shifted normally from 1st gear to 2nd but when the motor should shift into 3rd it simply does not engage. No codes have come up on computer. The motor whirs as if in neutral. Generally if the start was soft this happens around 20 mph. If gassed after a stop (higher revs), it generally does not engage after 50 mph. In either case the car is not responsive to gas until the speed drops under 20 mph. If gassed (enough revs) I can force engagement but can feel a slight thunk and then eventually loses the gear again. I took it to a trans mechanic (with whom I haven't worked with before) and essentially said this is typical in 04's and need to replace/rebuild transmission. As there were no warning and no codes listed, just looking for additional options before replacing complete transmission. Thank you (Alex)

  • Alex Barrios Jul 02, 2013

    Thanks I appreciate the candid answer. I failed to mention that the vehicle runs with the overdrive off though it obviously peaks at around 50 mph. With everything in mind, should I consider exploring the TCC Solenoid or the Overband? Just two potential suggestions found while exploring ome other Trans issues. Thanks again.

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1 Answer

A

Anonymous

The symptoms & mileage is enough to tell
you it is time for a rebuild
Being a former police vehicle ,I would have
rebuilt the trans as soon as I got it,working okey
or not.
Forget advice that is typical unless you understand
the context the word was using in.

Testimonial: "Peter, thanks for the candid answer. I failed to mention the vehicle can operate in limited capacity with the overdrive off. In your opinion is it worth even exploring the TCC solenoid or the overdrive band? Only asking because they seem to be ideas/solutions provided to other posts with somewhat similar questions thank you again. "

  • 2 more comments 
  • Alex Barrios Jul 02, 2013

    Peter, thanks for the candid answer. I failed to mention the vehicle can operate in limited capacity with the overdrive off. In your opinion is it worth even exploring the TCC solenoid or the overdrive band? Only asking because they seem to be ideas/solutions provided to other posts with somewhat similar questions thank you again.

  • Anonymous Jul 02, 2013

    You diagnose the trans issues most certainly

  • Anonymous Jul 02, 2013

    Bands are internal & unless they break your not pulling a trans & taking it apart for band issues,they don't wear or need adjustment. You should be able to tell if you have Lock-Up or TTC Apply by your Tach Rpm & dragging the brake to release it

  • Anonymous Jul 02, 2013

    You could clean the valve body but you will loose the check balls with trans in vehicle,you could change the pressure control & shift solenoids but it sounds like it is not up shifting & you have to know how many miles are on on that Unit (Trans) It may have gone though several trans rebuilds or swaps as a commercial use veh

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 6 Answers
  • Posted on May 07, 2009

SOURCE: 92 FORD T-BIRD 5.0L SPORT TRANSMISSION problem

3RD GEAR IS THE DIRECT CLUTCHES . WHEN THE GROMMET BROKE YOU LOST LINE PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN BURNING THE CLUTCHES .THE ONLY FIX IS TO REBUILD OR REPLACE TRANNY.BAD DESIGN BY FORD .YOU CAN FIND A BRONZE ONE AFTERMARKET

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Anonymous

  • 453 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 10, 2009

SOURCE: 92 ford explorer. runs great. replaced vaccum

Sounds like the filter in the trans is plugged up. Should flush trans every 45,000 miles and replace filter and fulid. Its easier to take it in to a shop and have it done they use high pressure flush which will clean out the whole thing for about $200.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Sep 18, 2009

SOURCE: 1997 Ford Taurus, Won't Shift Past 3rd Gear

The forward clutch control valve has a retaining clip that is known to break on these tranny's. This can prevent it from shifting into 4th gear. Good news, the part is five bucks. Bad news, it's in the valve body which takes a few hours to get to. I fixed mine in about 8 hours thanks to great step by step instuctions I found online. Search for "valve body removal taurus tranny". If it's not the retainer clip then it could be one of the solenoids on the valve body. I believe there's one just for 3rd and 4th gear. Good luck

airjoc

Rob Sinbad

  • 709 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 22, 2009

SOURCE: I have a 1966 Ford Falcon with a C4 transmission.

I would begin by replacing the filter if its not new, 2 possibility of issue, faulty shifting module or defective transmission rebuilt. just because it has been rebuilt does not mean the individual work on it did a good job. the less cost effective way is to locate used modulator from ebay or junk yard, if that does not rectified the issue than more likely it will be the tranny. the bad part is that I dont know of a company offer a bench test for the tranny modulator.

johnngrimes

  • 35 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 19, 2010

SOURCE: Hi,

The weld on the manual lever is known to break loose. First, with the wheels off the ground, with the lever in the park position, does the drive shaft lock in park? If yes or no sometimes, drop the trans pan. I bet the nut on the lever camd loose.

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