Transmission issues

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Hollon71

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On my ‘99 SHO, we have flushed the transmission fluid, 3 new motor mounts, changed the oil, changed 1 O2 sensor and a few other things. At times, the transmission shifts just fine. At other times, when it shifts, it shifts HARD.

What do you think is wrong with my sedan?
 

luigisho

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Hopefully valve body or solenoid helps. How many miles on it? Transmission fluid is caustic and with highewr miles it can dislodge varnished particulates that got stuck to teh pan and other areas and put them into circulation. If I was going to change fluids on something like that I would probably do a smaller exchange of maybe 3-4 quarts, drive it for a little while and exchange another 3-4 etc. Until you have essentially changed all the 13 ish quarts. That is the one part-started slipping- that made me sell my v8 sho.
 

Hollon71

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Hopefully valve body or solenoid helps. How many miles on it? Transmission fluid is caustic and with highewr miles it can dislodge varnished particulates that got stuck to teh pan and other areas and put them into circulation. If I was going to change fluids on something like that I would probably do a smaller exchange of maybe 3-4 quarts, drive it for a little while and exchange another 3-4 etc. Until you have essentially changed all the 13 ish quarts. That is the one part-started slipping- that made me sell my v8 sho.
Mine just turned 119K on the drive from when I bought it. I had all the main tune-ups done on it when I got it down here. Sometimes, the transmission shifts smoothly. Some times, very hard. All the transmission fluid was drained and new Transmission fluid was put it. The issue still continues.
 

E1

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Not having seen it mentioned yet, I have to ask.
Did the SHO get a new filter when the trans fluid was exchanged?

If so, did you get a chance to inspect the filter for solids? If you didn't change the filter, now might be a good time for this sort of inspection. Dropping the pan only costs about 4-5 quarts of fluid in my experiences.

If there is clumped lumps of old friction material present, they can foul the travel of the valve-pins in the valvebody.
This would definitely induce random poor shifting.

You might just have a good old fashioned case of Ford-has-been-sitting-too-long-itis. Drive it for a while. Slap it around a bit, see if it comes around.
 

Hollon71

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Not having seen it mentioned yet, I have to ask.
Did the SHO get a new filter when the trans fluid was exchanged?

If so, did you get a chance to inspect the filter for solids? If you didn't change the filter, now might be a good time for this sort of inspection. Dropping the pan only costs about 4-5 quarts of fluid in my experiences.

If there is clumped lumps of old friction material present, they can foul the travel of the valve-pins in the valvebody.
This would definitely induce random poor shifting.

You might just have a good old fashioned case of Ford-has-been-sitting-too-long-itis. Drive it for a while. Slap it around a bit, see if it comes around.
 

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luigisho

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E1 has a point about relearn shifting programming may need a little time to smooth out. Hopefully any clutch material isn't enough to cause any issues. Did you drive it before the fluid change?
 

Hollon71

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I still have not had the transmission looked at yet. I will be going to see two, or three, places today.
 

gamefanatic

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Does it shift harsh under light throttle or above say 40% throttle?
Does it shift hard through every gear? Or just 1-2? What is thr RPM its shifting at?
Does it downshift hard? Does it go into overdrive about 40-45 at light throttle or higher speeds?
Does it ever not shift harshly?

Does the PCM have a tune loaded?
A tune may cause the RPM to be held higher for a firmer shift, but if I recall correctly is also based on throttle input.

There does not appear to be anything noticable in the fluid from your pictures, maybe just another fluid change after a few hundred miles.

Its also possible someone installed a shift kit, which would have larger bores causing harsher shifts. Replacing the solenoids won't solve a harsh shift problem, typically when they go bad it doesn't shift.

Shift kits or replace the valve body will solve a mechanical problem. But unless you know what you are looking at (need pictures at least if not measurements) you will want to eliminate a tune being loaded. Sometimes this is nessesary if the valve body deforms (oval vs circular hole). This can cause irregulare shift or no shift scenarios.

Shift kits can also be installed to resolve harsh shifting, but in some cases require special tools to install. Valve bodies are still sold, several on eBay already have the problem solvers already installed on the rebuild models.

You can access the valve body through the driver side fender well, but you may want to lower the subframe just a bit on the driver side to give yourself some room (be mindful of the steering rack). Just unbolt the old one and put the new one on using the proper torque sequence.
 

Hollon71

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Does it shift harsh under light throttle or above say 40% throttle?
Does it shift hard through every gear? Or just 1-2? What is thr RPM its shifting at?
Does it downshift hard? Does it go into overdrive about 40-45 at light throttle or higher speeds?
Does it ever not shift harshly?

Does the PCM have a tune loaded?
A tune may cause the RPM to be held higher for a firmer shift, but if I recall correctly is also based on throttle input.

There does not appear to be anything noticable in the fluid from your pictures, maybe just another fluid change after a few hundred miles.

Its also possible someone installed a shift kit, which would have larger bores causing harsher shifts. Replacing the solenoids won't solve a harsh shift problem, typically when they go bad it doesn't shift.

Shift kits or replace the valve body will solve a mechanical problem. But unless you know what you are looking at (need pictures at least if not measurements) you will want to eliminate a tune being loaded. Sometimes this is nessesary if the valve body deforms (oval vs circular hole). This can cause irregulare shift or no shift scenarios.

Shift kits can also be installed to resolve harsh shifting, but in some cases require special tools to install. Valve badodies are still sold, several on eBay already have the problem solvers already installed on the rebuild models.

You can access the valve body through the driver side fender well, but you may want to lower the subframe just a bit on the driver side to give yourself some room (be mindful of the steering rack). Just unbolt the old one and put the new one on using the proper torque sequence.
It shifts hard in all gears. It does not matter if I'm very slow pocking it, or, driving on the regular roads. I had a transmission person scan it and says its sensor 1. I just went a head and bought 4 from my O'Reilly Store. There some times when it shifts smoothly. I'm just not driving it hard until after the 1st when the transmission places are available. I work less than a songs time from work.
 

Hollon71

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I went driving a little while ago. I was driving it slowly since not many were out and about. It shifted smoothly since I was not hitting it hard or anything. Later in the drive, it didn't really wish to shift from 1st to 2nd. I had to let off the gas peddle so it would do the shift to 2nd. All other gears were fine. The O/D light was off.
 

Hollon71

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Well, I have not had the chance for anyone to look at my SHO due to the Christmas and New Years holidays. Also, places are trying to get vehicles fixed/completed my years end.

I've been driving the sedan soft and not hitting it hard. The transmission seems to be shifting gears fine right now. I guess who owned it before me must not have driven it in who knows how long. After New Years, several mechanics will be able to look at it and replace the sensors I've bought from my O'Reilly Store.
 

gamefanatic

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Well, I have not had the chance for anyone to look at my SHO due to the Christmas and New Years holidays. Also, places are trying to get vehicles fixed/completed my years end.

I've been driving the sedan soft and not hitting it hard. The transmission seems to be shifting gears fine right now. I guess who owned it before me must not have driven it in who knows how long. After New Years, several mechanics will be able to look at it and replace the sensors I've bought from my O'Reilly Store.
sorry I had not yet responded. I was thinking this was an adaptive learning issue. It cause be previous person had more of a lead foot. Its been a while, but wasn't sure if you had to clear those tables with an ODB-II tool like newer vehicles, if you could just remove the battery for a few hours, or if you just had to drive it. Most learning tables are stored in NVRAM so most times removing the battery isn't going to do anything.
Based on what you have described above I can't think of a mechanical issue that would explain the concerns. So just continue to drive it like you normally would and make sure you have fresh fluid and filter. As you never know what the last person's service habits where.

I recommend if you take it to a trans shop to gave them install a drain plug at least to the pan. You really don't need to change the filter often. And then you can drain the pan and refill with ~5qts every 10-15K like the newer vehicles require.
 

Hollon71

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I just ordered a rebuilt transmission today, with a 5 year warranty!!! No core was required. No, I did not order it at my O'Reilly store since it was a little more, a core charge, and, only a 3 year warranty. I should be getting it at the end of this month since it takes longer to ship things down here in South Texas, where SpaceX is at.
 

Hollon71

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Where did you order from?
USA Parts Online. No more available at this time. I bought thier last one, for now. They advised me that they usually keep one in stock.

 

luigisho

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it is used not rebuilt. You should read all the stuff that comes with it and reviews online to cya. It is very strange to have a rebuilt unit without a core or extra core charge to keep inventory flowing for rebuild/reman
 

Hollon71

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it is used not rebuilt. You should read all the stuff that comes with it and reviews online to cya. It is very strange to have a rebuilt unit without a core or extra core charge to keep inventory flowing for rebuild/reman
I will be having one of our clients, who is a transmission shop, doing the installation. They have been in business for many years and does great work. I feel secure with everything. Especially when that company offers a 5 year warranty vs 3 year warranty with my company. People, here, keep telling me to take it across into Mexico and have them do the work for way less money. I just don't feel comfortable doing that. I'd rather keep the money here in the US. We will just go into Mexico for medicines. LOL Much cheaper THERE for that. And drinks.

Heck, when I was in High School, graduated in '89, we would always drive into Matamoros, MX and hit the backs, when it was nice and safe!!

Here is how WE PARTIED in High School back then!!!

 

luigisho

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I agree. I graduated 87 and used to go to TJ every once in a while during college breaks. It was sketchy but doable. Not on the radar these days. BTW i don't have an issues with proper install. It's the actaul internal condition of the unit. Hel l, I didn't even trust rebuilt models for quality and got rid of the car.
 
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