Transmission issue

[David Yunker]

New to the site but can see how useful this will be. I have a 2010 SHO with 11,000 miles. 5 times now I have heard and felt a terrific thunk in the drive-line. It happens like this: cruising along at constant speed 30-40 MPH, let off the gas to slow (just moving with the flow of traffic) then when I press the accelerator (not hard just normal cruising) the transmission will thunk so hard into a gear you think you've been rear ended. Like I say only 5 times in 11,000 miles but its a real bad thunk I'm talking about here. Of course the dealer is unable to duplicate this issue. Has anybody experienced this same problem?

 

[IM Buddy8]

Oh snap yo the Maint and Troubleshooting thread is getting too much action

 

[SpAz]

New to the site but can see how useful this will be. I have a 2010 SHO with 11,000 miles. 5 times now I have heard and felt a terrific thunk in the drive-line. It happens like this: cruising along at constant speed 30-40 MPH, let off the gas to slow (just moving with the flow of traffic) then when I press the accelerator (not hard just normal cruising) the transmission will thunk so hard into a gear you think you've been rear ended. Like I say only 5 times in 11,000 miles but its a real bad thunk I'm talking about here. Of course the dealer is unable to duplicate this issue. Has anybody experienced this same problem?

I haven't been having similar issues but thankfully it hasn't been dropping into gear as hard as yours.... yet.

I asked the dealer to take a look at the shifting yesterday when they had my car and they said the same thing. "Shifting looks fine, we can't duplicate the problem you're describing"

Isn't there a way to force dealers into updating the tune?

 

[luigisho]

There has been updated transmission programs from Ford IIRC, but this is the first time I've heard of a pronounced thunk like you describe. Maybe Kirk will chime in after the convention is over this week. It's a new platform so some of the kinks are just being reported.

 

[LJRuddy]

Oh snap yo the Maint and Troubleshooting thread is getting too much action

I hear ya but think about this... Ford spent a lot of time and money testing these cars. They put them through **** and back to find its faults and its strong points. IMO, Ford did a great job during testing to make this car as reliable as possible out of the box. However, there is NO simulation or test one can put a new platform through that will be as harsh and thorough as the test of time and daily driving. A new platform such as the 2010/11 SHO is bound to leave the factory with some defects that can only be found with time. It happens on 99% of all new models that are built.

 

[LotusDriver]

Like this...

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=104168

Yeah. Been there.

 

[luigisho]

Forgot about the initial clunk. I was recalling the lack of accel and safety issues. O boy. I hope this isn't the same as what happened to yours.

 

[IM Buddy8]

I hear ya but think about this... Ford spent a lot of time and money testing these cars. They put them through **** and back to find its faults and its strong points. IMO, Ford did a great job during testing to make this car as reliable as possible out of the box. However, there is NO simulation or test one can put a new platform through that will be as harsh and thorough as the test of time and daily driving. A new platform such as the 2010/11 SHO is bound to leave the factory with some defects that can only be found with time. It happens on 99% of all new models that are built.

Yeah I know, that's why I like to buy the last year of a body style. Even though you can get that newer body style one year newer for not much of a price difference.. For example best sho's are 91,95,99 It's common sense.. My mom was going to get a ford five hundred the first year it came out because my brother worked at the dealer and would not let her get one until at least the next year..

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

While my tranny works great and seems to shift down quickly, I noticed a thunk today when I floored the car at around 25 mph and my "Brick's" tranny slammed into first and really took off. I also sometimes forget to come to a complete stop when going in reverse and shifting into drive. The "Brick" don't like it one bit and sort of shutters....

 

[bill murray]

Thank You Bob, for that last post.

I will create a thread on a 2,000 mile trip I completed just 2 hours ago but since you mentioned it..........

Twice, I got a bit turned around in trying to enter a specific gas station or restaurant on the trip and did a quick dive into someone else's driveway going forward, obviously, and then slapped the car into reverse.

Backed up enought to do a sort of illegal U turn and slapped it into drive and hit the throttle lightly to get back on the road in the opposite direction while still rolling just the least little bit.

Not good for this trannie. Both times the car shuddered about three times before it would catch and move the car forward. Not sure if this is a software issue or a mechanical issue but it scared the **** out of me because both times I was in the middle of nowhere in the Great Midwest.

Never had that happen on any of many cars. Would be nice to know what causes this particular behavior of our cars.

Bill

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

My EB tranny has a tune for firmer shifts, but never asked Tuner about this issue. Will be doing so. At our IA lake home, we are on a busy street with a slight rise so get lots of surprises from speeders, and need to get out and get going quickly. Guess I have the option of getting hit or potentially rebuilding the tranny at my expense.

Both of my G8 GT's have the rear drive version of GM/Ford design 6 speed Auto and have never done this. BothG8's also have shift tunes as they were a bit mushy and slow.

 

[brokentbing]

I too am dealing with this issue. Have had this happen at take off from stop lights to 65 mph on highway. Have had it in and out of the dealership multiple times with no luck duplicating problem. I even went as far as let them drive my car for the better part of a week, still nothing. Even if they do find the issue what about the long term damage to the trans?
Received delivery of my SHO in Oct. of 09 and now have close to 13,000 miles on it. I do love the car but scares the crap out of us when it acts up.

 

[nogosho]

I had the same issue at 12,000 miles, built in Oct 09. First attempted fix was to replace the fuel pump at the direction of the FSE. Second attempt was to update the codes; that didn't work either. Data recorder used by the shop foreman and they were able to record incident. As a result, the FSE had the dealer replace the transmission relay sensor. I didn't feel safe in the car anymore so Ford is replacing.

 

[IM Buddy8]

I had the same issue at 12,000 miles, built in Oct 09. First attempted fix was to replace the fuel pump at the direction of the FSE. Second attempt was to update the codes; that didn't work either. Data recorder used by the shop foreman and they were able to record incident. As a result, the FSE had the dealer replace the transmission relay sensor. I didn't feel safe in the car anymore so Ford is replacing.

Fords replacing your car??

 

[nynd]

I had the same issue at 12,000 miles, built in Oct 09. First attempted fix was to replace the fuel pump at the direction of the FSE. Second attempt was to update the codes; that didn't work either. Data recorder used by the shop foreman and they were able to record incident. As a result, the FSE had the dealer replace the transmission relay sensor. I didn't feel safe in the car anymore so Ford is replacing.

Seems some of us are experiencing this issue and dealers have no idea how to solve. The FSE's should help but again, replacing parts is what they start doing!

What is this transmission relay sensor?

 

[brokentbing]

Just received a call from the dealer. They talked with their FSE and he suggests replaceing the spark plugs, What??????

 

[nynd]

Just received a call from the dealer. They talked with their FSE and he suggests replaceing the spark plugs, What??????

Spark Plugs? makes no sense... car runs fine at idle.. no misses, its when its in gear you get these symptoms.

 

[brokentbing]

Makes no sense to me either.
Car runs great at idle, just happends when in gear. I will bring it in tomorrow for the change of spark plugs and go through the motions. Maybe if lucky it will act up for them.

 

[esfoad]

Have you tried the latest transmission TSB? Might be a stupid question but I intend to have this done at my next service though I am not experiencing the thunk that you are. My tranny shifts hard when downshifting at low (35-50MPH) speed. The TSB number I have is:
TSB 10-6-4 6F55 transmission with EcoBoost BUMP 3-1 coasting downshift below 10MPH built on or before 3/1/2010
The reflash might make a difference for you.

 

[brokentbing]

They are to do the reflash today along with new plugs. I'll post if this has worked when I get the car back.