[Jacob_Reinholdt]

Hey guys i've finally made an account on the forum here as i'm trying to figure out my transmission diagnosis/options.

2015 Ford Transit 350HD - 3.2L i5 Turbo Diesel - High Roof Extended Wheel Base
Mileage: 150,000
Auto Trans: 6r80

Van History:

1. Started life as a Denver Medical Transport Vehicle (assuming 100k miles of it)
2. Dry Waller Company Van (assuming 37k miles)
3. I purchased with 137k miles on it ( basic metal wall and some wooden shelves in back
   1. Noticed hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear, Occasional 3rd gear down to 2nd hard shift as well
4. I built out everything on the inside over 4 months also replacing and servicing everything on the van that it needed, oil change, bushings, brakes, tires, sway bar bushings etc
5. I've put 13,000 miles on it and it's been consistently the same transmission issue the whole time

What i've learned: (open to discussing things I may have missed or misinterpreted)

1. I've never had an Transmission codes which makes me believe the solenoids are fine electronically (still could be mechanical issues with solenoid valves or valve body I understand, which is unable to diagnose until you pull the valve body)
2. I haven't noticed any shuttering or slipping. once the van is in each gear it operates strong
3. Service manual calls for 6.7 hours to remove the "A Frame" assembly and drop the trans oil pan to access the solenoid valve body
4. I have checked the fluid level and it looks fine, it's not bright red but it's not burnt or sparkling. the guy I purchased it from said he had the trans fluid changed ( not sure if it was just sucked out from the fill port, which seems like even with a small hose you are only able to remove 4 qts, or if he paid the service hours to have the pan removed and have it actually flushed
5. I've also learned that they are known for "pin walking". Shift Rite in Kankakee, IL mentioned that they rebuild/replace everything and they weld these pins to keep them from having the pin walking issue. ( would need 2-3 weeks to do)

Options:

1. Continue to drive the van as I have for 13,000 miles ( ignorance is bliss )
2. Take to a ford dealer to have rebuilt trans installed (waiting on quote + ford reman warranty )
3. Take to Shift Rite in Kankakee as it seems they have the most experience with this trans ( quoted ~$3,800-4,800 - comes with 1 year parts and labor warranty)

Thanks for reading this and if you have any suggestions let me know!

Love this van otherwise it's done well and fully loaded with a custom (non aerodynamic) roof rack it still gets 14mpg.

I have around 700 hours in my build out see images below.

Rio Verde Jake Van Photo

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• Jan 28, 2022
• jacob reinholdt

Cinders Hill Flagstaff, Arizona

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Fall Yard Van

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Fall Van - Illinois

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Ferry - Cave In The Rock - Illinois

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• Jan 28, 2022
• jacob reinholdt

@Jacob_Reinholdt - Van Build Illinois

Sturgis, South Dakota

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• Jan 28, 2022

@Jacob_Reinholdt - Van Build South Dakota

Devils Tower Night Time Offroad Lights

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• Jan 28, 2022

@Jacob_Reinholdt - Wyoming

adjustable bed platform / toy garage

• Jacob_Reinholdt
• Jan 28, 2022
• custom custom camper van transit bed platform

Aluminum bed platform hung by large gate hinges on the driver side allows for easy loading and...

Power Cabinet

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• Jan 28, 2022
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Power Cabinet Build Out - @Jacob_Reinholdt

Interior Build Out

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• Jan 28, 2022
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@Jacob_Reinholdt interior transit build out

Sedona Sunrise

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• Jan 28, 2022
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@Jacob_Reinholdt - Sedona, Arizona

700 hours in the dead of winter

• Jacob_Reinholdt
• Jan 28, 2022
• jacob reinholdt

@Jacob_Reinholdt - Van Build Illinois

 

[bayou2beach]

Very nice looking van !!!!

 

[Jacob_Reinholdt]

Thanks! Now I just need to figure out what I need to do with this transmission.... downside of buying a used van and building on it.

Very nice looking van !!!!

 

[njvagabond]

Nice van. Good photography. Did you weld up that aluminum angle for your cabinets?

Why not throw the cheap and relatively easy dart first Do a few drain an fills on the trans fluid.
There is a good write up in this thread. Transmission Service

 

[Jacob_Reinholdt]

Nice van. Good photography. Did you weld up that aluminum angle for your cabinets?

Why not throw the cheap and relatively easy dart first Do a few drain an fills on the trans fluid.
There is a good write up in this thread. Transmission Service

Yes I did weld up the aluminum angle and the tube aluminum for the bed frame.
I did a drain and fill to just check to see the level and what the oil looked like. Fluid isn’t going to change something mechanical tho ha

 

[njvagabond]

Fluid isn’t going to change something mechanical tho ha

If you have the transmission pulled, be aware that when they drop the subframe there are reports of rust and broken parts issues. There are also a number of torque to yield fasteners that need to be replaced. Might want to make sure whoever does the work takes a lookie here to make sure they have all the necessary parts on hand ... supply chain issues being what they are. Also some have suggested having a pan modified with a drain plug to facilitate future fluid changes.

 

[kazuo]

ForScan can reset the transmission adaptive memory. if you want to try the following:

Ford Quick Tips #66: Harsh Shifting Transmission Fix

 

[carringb]

Harsh shifting can happen with engine-torque is lower than commanded, shifts will feel harsh. Shift pressures are Pulse-Width-Modulated, but the PCM can only compensate a little bit.

My recommended actions:
1) Do a full fluid exchange, to make sure it's all fresh and the proper spec.
2) Do a battery disconnect for 10-minutes to force it into re-learn mode.

If it still drives the same after than, then maybe do some more in-depth diagnostics.

 

[tims5377]

To replace the transmission on my 3.2 at the dealer, I think the bill came to $6800 and took months to get back. Yea, yea, dealers are expensive and all that... I was stranded and I didn't have the luxury of researching where to go - Don't get stranded! Rebuilt trans, dropping sub frame, replacing control arms that got destroyed in the process, etc. Rebuilt comes with 3 year warranty from Ford.

 

[Jacob_Reinholdt]

Harsh shifting can happen with engine-torque is lower than commanded, shifts will feel harsh. Shift pressures are Pulse-Width-Modulated, but the PCM can only compensate a little bit.

My recommended actions:
1) Do a full fluid exchange, to make sure it's all fresh and the proper spec.
2) Do a battery disconnect for 10-minutes to force it into re-learn mode.

If it still drives the same after than, then maybe do some more in-depth diagnostics.

So from what ive heard disconnecting the battery won't put it in relearn mode. I believe you have to manually do it with the software .... trying to find someone who won't charge me $150 for the 5 minutes it takes to reset the TCM

 

[njvagabond]

So from what ive heard disconnecting the battery won't put it in relearn mode. I believe you have to manually do it with the software .... trying to find someone who won't charge me $150 for the 5 minutes it takes to reset the TCM

Maybe FORSCAN?
Downshift Clunk