crandle
Campbell River, BC, Canada
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I need some advice. We have an '05 Tioga Class c on a Ford 450 V-10 Chassis with only 10,000 miles on it. I have developed transmission trouble here in Mexico. When I stop at a light, the transmission stays in high gear. I don't know if it does it all the time as I hardly notice it unless I am on a hill or want a faster start for some reason. I can get around the problem by moving the shifter to 1 or 2 to force it into a lower gear but it does not do it by itself.
Is this something that will be OK until I get home (we are headed south to Chiapas), or should I try to get it fixed here? We are in Puebla right now.
Is this an adjustment or will it necessitate tearing the transmission down? Any opinions?
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Turtle-Toad
Wherever I park (orig Kingston, WA. USA)
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Sounds to me like a vacuum problem. I'm not sure, but believe that the actual shifting is done by a vacuum modulator, normally mounted on the tranny. This is something that does not require tearing down the tranny and should be fixable by just about any good mechanic in Mexico. It could be as simple as a cracked vacuum hose.
The newer engines (like my V10) have an electronic module that controls the shifting, this also is easily replaced. Of course the electronic module gets inputs from various other things on the engine to determine when to shift; so if it's not a vacuum leak or a bad module, it may take some investigating to find the culprit.
As long as you don't lug the engine down, you shouldn't damage anything bu driving it until you can get it fixed. Just keep an eye on the tach.
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Crandle manually down shifting should be OK from my understanding but others with specific knowledge should be along to help you. With the electronics in transmissions today a solenoid, etc can fail yet mechanically still be sound. Hopefully it is a surface level problem so they do not have to tear down the transmission.
When we changed the filter in our old 1992 4L80-E transmission I was taken back by the oil pan full of wires running to different parts. With out question E stood for electronics. 
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camping man
Central Fla.
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It really needs a scanner on it to see if the solenoids are getting a request from the ECM to down shift, seeing you can manually do it says they might not be. Maybe the ECM is not getting a correct reading from the input and output shaft speed,or throttle position sensor. Your solenoids seem to be working if you can force it into a gear, their just not getting the request from the ECM, probably one of the inputs.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Some advice should it give out for real and need replacement. Go for entire tranny, do not allow them to rebuild it for you. Did that, spent 6 weeks at Ford dealer waiting for parts (some not ordered, some wrong part ordered) and for the rebuild which was no good. This was on a 1999 F-350 PS with automatic. Hope it doesn't get to this point.
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thomasinnv
where ever i stop
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try disconnecting the battery for 20 minutes and see if it fixes the problem. i have seen this happen before and resetting the pcm took care of it. no guarantees, but it doesn't cost anything to try it.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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My recommendation is to take it to the closest dealer for a scan and an inspection. Here in Monterrey to run the scan is around 800 pesos. You can then have them repair it or take it somewhere else, say a transmission specialist. I am not a mechanic but I can help with the other stuff, PM me if you want.
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moisheh
North America
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Follow Cris's advice and have a Ford dealer. There must be lots in Puebla. DO NOT TAKE THIS TO ANY OTHER SHOP. I have heard so many horror stories about trannies that were rebuilt in Mexico. None were any good. I suspect it may be due to cleanliness. An AT is a hydraulic system. Hydraulics do not tolerate dirt! Leaving a tranny on a bench outside in Mexico is a recipe for disaster. A Ford dealer can scan your ECM and have a quick answer. However unless the required parts ( if any are needed) are the same as say a Ford PU you will be waiting a long time for parts from the USA. If parts have to come from Mexico City you are in the right part of Mexico. I hope it all works out.
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moving from RVing in Mexico and South America to Tech Issues to see what the regulars over there can contribute.
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Cutlers
Home
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Have a shop service the transmission. Once they drop the pan, you will be able to see if the oil is discolored or has metal in it. If the oil looks good have them change the filter and install new ATF. If the oil has metal in it or a strong metallic look, you're looking at a new or rebuilt trans. This trans is shifted electronicly so a shop with a scan tool is a good place to start. Also, before you do anything, check the trans oil level. If it is low and you continue to drive you'll be looking a trans replacement.
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