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Transmission Performance Questions & Concern


cafpaf

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I have a 2017 Reserve with the 3.7 engine and am having some concerns and questions about the performance of the transmission.  Specifically at low speeds.  When in traffic or when starting out and then having to slow immediately by taking my foot off the gas the transmission obviously downshifts.  However, in this scenario it does so with what I would describe as a thud and/or a jolt.  I have never had this occur before in all of the vehicles I have owned.  It also does this on occasion when applying the brakes while going downhill and here in southwestern PA we are always going uphill or downhill. So that is my concern.  Now here are the questions. First is anyone else experiencing this issue?  Second, does anyone know if there are adjustments that can be made to the transmission what would potentially solve the problem?  I have not discussed this as yet with the service folks, but I have the feeling that they are going to tell me that either they could not duplicate the issue or that it is operating normally.  Please feel free to weigh in.  Thanks. 

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(1) No.

(2) Tranny adjustments can be made both mechanically & via software programming.

 

A test ride with a dealer service rep should be able to verify what you're experiencing and/or an assessment of your TCM (Transmission Control Module) may correct the issue if required.

 

Edit to #1: On one or two occasions with a cold engine just after gently accelerating forward (after backing out of my garage) and changing my mind to check my curbside mailbox, the tranny did a nearly inconspicuous thud precisely at the 1-2 shift point. I believe the tranny programming is caught at an awkward moment of sorting out conflicting upshift-downshift commands by my change of intent. I've never considered those occurrences to be an issue. 

Edited by Cosmos36
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Spoke with the service manager at my dealership, Benson Lincoln, here is Pittsburgh regarding the problem I am experiencing.  He tells me that this is NOMAL as the transmission is between shifts and that it is a common complaint.  He also tells me that there is nothing for Lincoln/Ford regarding reprograming at this point.  He told me to drive it some more and that if it gets worse to bring it in and they will road test it.  I don't know what that will prove if there is nothing to be done.  I have been driving a LONG time with many different vehicles and I have never experienced this issue.  I really like my vehicle, but in my experience this just does not seem normal.  This really takes the  bloom off the rose. 

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As a follow up to my earlier post, does anyone know exactly what can they check regarding the transmission operation and what adjustments, if any, can be made.  It would seem that if the transmission does not "throw and code" they will do nothing.  What exactly can they check without a code?  What can they adjust and/or reprogram?  Can they set the transmission codes back to what they were when it left the factory.  I want something done but I don't want to act like I have no idea what I am talking about when I press this problem with the dealer.  My initial plan is to have them give me a loaner for a day or a weekend to see if what I am experiencing is "normal" and if not I want to move forward with service.  Thanks for the help.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just a quick update for those of you who may be interested.  I had the car back to the dealership and although they found no codes, they reset the keep alive memory (what ever that is) and reset the transmission tables.  Two days in it seems to be better.  I will just have to keep an eye on it to see if it stays that way.  Keeping in mind that a little knowledge is dangerous and according to a YouTube video, it would seem that the same thing can be accomplished by disconnecting the battery for fifteen minutes or so and them warming the car up to normal temp and driving it normally (not aggressively) for about ten to fifteen minutes so that the PCM can relearn the shift points etc.  

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As I understand it (and I'm far from being any kind of expert) is that the ECU (Engine Control Unit) uses three different types of memories.

 

The first is an non-volatile (permanent) memory (in the form of an EPROM) that stores the VIN, default settings for the engine and drivetrain, milage, etc.

 

The second is a volatile memory that's is powered only when tbe car is running. It stores only those items needed during its current trip. It goes dead and is cleared when the car is shut off.

 

The third type is the keep alive memory. This is powered directly from the battery.

It holds the learned transmission shift points, sensor calibrations and the like. I believe that there is also a large, perhaps 1mF capacitor, used as a backup to maintain the memory when the battery is disconnected. The capacitor is the reason you would need to keep the battery disconnected for several minutes (don't know the exact amount of time, I would imagine 15 minutes would be sufficient).

 

As they chose to maintain the KAM they probably did so to keep your learned settings while changing the transmission settings to the new values. This allowed you to be able to drive the car smoothly right after service.

Edited by enigma-2
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Thanks enigma 2.  That sort of makes sense to my limited mind.  To be clear, they reset the Keep Alive Memory.  In any case, it does seem to be better.  If I have a problem in future, I guess, I could just disconnect the battery and start over again.  

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  • 4 months later...

Well, I am back to having the same shift problems.  I considered disconnecting the battery, but it will go in shortly for its first oil change and I am going to ask them to do what they did in July.  Does anyone know what the process entails to reset the Keep alive memory and also reset the transmission codes?  Is this a few minutes of programming or do you think that they will just do the battery thing?

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  • 2 months later...

I have a 2016 Lincoln MKX with a down shift problem from 2nd to 1st. It clunks or bangs. After taking it to a dealer in Edmonton (Waterloo motors) they put on 30 Kilos trying to find the problem and said they couldn't replicate problem. As a result they charged me over $250.00 and did nothing.(car is still under warranty) I also have a jerky brake problem and I am afraid to take it in again and be charged for nothing. This would have been noticeable in their 30 kilometer "test run". We will see if they can fix wind noise on passenger of vehicle first. Very very disappointed in Fords luxury brand. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

very 

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...  As a result they charged me over $250.00 and did nothing.(car is still under warranty) ... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What?  Never heard of such thing.  These guys needs a kick in the nuts.

 

Short of calling your Credit Card company to have the charge reverse, get in touch with the regional manager.

 

There is no way you should be paying for a "No Fault Found" while the car is under warranty.

 

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  • 2 months later...

My vehicle goes in for service tomorrow morning.  As I'm getting a harsh two/three shift under light throttle I'm going to talk to them about this again.  I really don't think that they have anyone qualified to handle the problem.  

 

Here's a video from FordTechMakuloco that explains it in more detail: 

 

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  • 2 months later...

Well, I am back with this problem.  I have not been on the forum for a while but I do not know where else to turn for help.  I love the car, but the transmission sucks.  I can feel every shift.  It shifts with a bump, or a jerk, or at times it actually feels like the car was rear ended or the transmission is going to fall out of the car.  It is dramatically worse on the down shifts.  As soon as I let up on the gas even a little, it down shifts with a jerk.  At lower speeds between 0 and 30 it is absolutely awful.  Great when you are in stop and go traffic or even going down a grade. Last evening I drove my wife's nine year old Lexus RX and I could not tell were or when it shifted..  The dealer hooks up his little magical machine and tells me that there are no codes so it must be working as it is supposed to work.  BS.  I have been driving a LONG time and I have never had a problem like this.  At least not one that is persistent. The last time they reset everything, it was OK for a week or so but then gradually it became worse.  Within two weeks it was just as bad as before everything was reset.  I was going to disconnect the battery to do this myself but after seeing how he battery was installed it is really a pain.  It seems that the negative terminal of the batter is under the lip of the cowling and it is more than difficult to access.  I called the dealer to see if there was some special tool or trick to disconnecting the battery I was told that it was a poor design and just a PITA to do. I have a 2017 with the standard engine and everything else is operating fine.  Does anyone out there have any suggestions?  I would sincerely appreciate any help.  I Thanks!

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I had a 2014 MKX before buying my 2016. Both transmissions have been perfect in every respect. I can barely tell when it shifts after the first two shifts unless I am looking at the tach. So, obviously there is something very wrong with yours.

I sure hope they can get their act together and fix the issues you have.

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Just an update to my earlier post, when my vehicle was in for its six month service, I also told the Lincoln Concierge about the problem.  The service tech wasn’t able to replicate the problem so she asked if I could stop by and go out with the service tech.  Well it only took about two blocks for the problem to appear. Seem they were going too fast.  They reprogramed the TCM and everything has been just peachy since then.

 

So ANYONE who say's this is normal is NUTS. 

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Does anyone know what model of transmission is in my vehicle or how I can find out.  As I said, I have a 2017 with the standard engine and transmission.  I am ready to go back to the dealer and start a minor war if I must.  

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Does anyone know what model of transmission is in my vehicle or how I can find out.  As I said, I have a 2017 with the standard engine and transmission.  I am ready to go back to the dealer and start a minor war if I must.  

 

In your owner's manual, look up Transmission Code Designation in the index for the page number that describes how to confirm what tranny is in your vehicle. It's will be either a 6F50 or 6F55.

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