5 Spd. Transmission grinding

[Mach Trpr]

Can anyone please advise me of any issues/TSB's with the 2003 5 Spd transmission grinding while shifting from 1st to 2nd. I currently have 19000 miles on my 03 and am noticing this problem esp when cold.


Thanks
Gary in Denver

[chuckspeed]

Do a search on gear crash on the board; the answer was posted here some time ago. Upgrade kit version 1.4 is available and supposedly solves the problem; if you can get it done under warranty, then do so.

I'm currently installing Trans #3 (a T56) because I'm tired of the problem and am looking for a more permanent fix. Trans #1 started acting like yours at the same mileage; it failed completely at 26K miles. Trans #2 was used with 17K on the clock; it failed without warning 10K later; about the same total # of miles.

After the swappie is completed, I'm diving into the wasted transes to see what the real problem is.

[martysmachone]

I find the most diturbing part of the malady is the "technician unable to duplicate" part of the equation which means they won't do a thing unless you can make it grind for the tech. How much time ya got?

[chuckspeed]

The reason it's a tech unable to duplicate call is that they only allocate 5 hrs for warranty removal, repair, and replacement. By my estimate, it's the better part of 5 hours just for the R&R - no repair involved.

After my warranty was voided (bastards) they quoted me $900 just to remove the trans and LOOK in it to see what's wrong (bastards). These are the same folks who said my last engine made noise on account of a bad pushrod. (bastards)

I do my own work - and I'm happier for it. Blood pressure's a lot lower.

As for time? Prolly 3,000 miles B4 2nd goes BZZT and pops the shifter outta yer hand on the way to 2nd. It WILL happen without warning; then you get to go to the dealer and fight with 'em on account of that air freshener hangin' from the rearview consitutes a non-factory approved modification - which voids yer warranty.

bastards. Later, I'll tell ya how I REALLY feel.

[kstwist887]

I had same problem and had TSB applied last September. TSB also says that tranny may jump out of gear in 3rd. Tell dealer it jumped out of 3rd on the highway and you almost got hit in the ass by a semi. Worked for me !!

[Mach Trpr]

Thanks for all the good input. The last time I went to the dealer, the service advisor tried to tell me that my warranty was voided because I had a supercharger installed. The moron was looking at my PHP airbox. With that in mind, I better reinstall my stock shifter. :beer:

[Crawlin03Torch]

i have the same problem it grinds from 1st-2nd once in a while, but wont go into 3rd unless i grind the heck out of it!! my stock warranty is up so i have to try and get it fixed under my auto-xtend warranty. i hope they fix it. i herd they read your cars computer to see if it has been beaten on is that true? if so how can i clear it! thanks!!

[j.denio]

had mine fixed after printing out the TSB notice and presenting it to the dealer.if they wont fix,go to another ford dealer.its not like they ARE NOT getting paid for their work.sometimes you gotta b**th loud enough.

[IMachU]

I had mine fixed, but it took a while. As the weather warms up, the gear clash subsides. So, as stated above, "technician unable to duplicate" was what it said. Took 2 weeks and several overnight stays (it grinds more when the motor/trans are cold), before it was fixed.

[Crawlin03Torch]

where can i print out the tsb you speak of? along with the replacement of the head on the 03. mine ticks kinda bad and burns hell of oil!

[IMachU]

Right here Crawlin --> http://www.mach1registry.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8375

[GrimlokTT]

Of course you're going to want to accomplish the right fix via TSB. If it only does it while cold, do like others and park your car at the dealership over the night. The next morning have the serviceman diagnose it.

Also, there's a special sauce coined the "Colonels Special Sauce" that many are using for the transmission. It entails 1 container of Lucas Transmission Fix and the remainder of 3 liters total of Mobile ATF. I used this and it works pretty good. When it comes time to do this again, I'll use the Lucas with Mercon/Dextron III.

Good luck...
Aaron