2006 Hurricane Transmission dropping into neutral while driving

[Stainsy]

That was the first symptom. It also takes a long time to shift into reverse. Sometimes when it does this strange stuff, it flashes the tow/haul light on the dash, even if its not engaged. When I got home Sunday from camping, the MH wouldn't shift into reverser at all. I had to shut it off, let it sit five minutes, then it would.

My Mechanic, tells me there was a recall, but I can't find one. Also tells me its a common problem in ford powertrains from 2004 to 2006. Now, my mechanic doesn't work for a dealer, nor is he going to fix the tranny, this is what the tranny guy they use said to him. Is he right. I have searched on here for anyone else with the same symptoms, no one seems to have it.

I would really like to find anyone else that has had this issue, and what it turned out to be.

Thanks
Dave

[spyderRV]

Can I assume the fluid level is ok and not burned?

[Stainsy]

Yes, had the fluid changed, and filter last year. The second part of the tube going to the tranny was rotten, so he flushed out the crap, replaced the tube, fluid and filter.

Fluid is clean, and doesn't smell burned.

[Pirate]

Did he change the external filter?

[Greenlee99]

Some ford forums say that ford's have a saftey features that if brake lites are out it won't let you move till fixed

[twinboat]

There has been some discussion on shops using the wrong filter in the transmission that could be causing your problem.

Along with that, the blinking Tow/Haul light could be sending codes from the transmission.

Try to post to SubFord ? , he seems to be the Ford guy.

[Stainsy]

Thank you all. I am not sure what filter he replaced, I assume the external. I will look for SubFord.

[tderonne]

OD light flashing IS a trans code. Check the codes and work from there.

[Pirate]

Not many folks realize some years had an external filter. The filter is a toilet paper roll type filter and is prone to clogging. If you man clean out lines he may have just clogged the external filter even more. I believe once it is clogged it cuts fluid from the cooler. I think 2006 was last year for external, not sure though. I have an external filter on my 2006.

[twinboat]

It is the internal filter that can be the wrong one. Some call for the regular transmission filter and actuall need the 4 X 4 transmission filter. The short filter sits higher in the oil and causes it to draw air.

Don't know if your year and model is affected but something like that would cause shifting issues.

If this started after the filter change, its worth looking into.

[Mark Kovalsky]

Originally Posted by Stainsy

it flashes the tow/haul light on the dash, even if its not engaged.

The flashing light means trouble codes have been stored in the computer's memory.

Originally Posted by Stainsy

When I got home Sunday from camping, the MH wouldn't shift into reverser at all. I had to shut it off, let it sit five minutes, then it would.

That could be a bad solenoid in the transmission. This same solenoid is also used at highway speeds, so these problems are likely to be related.

Originally Posted by Stainsy

My Mechanic, tells me there was a recall, but I can't find one.

There was never a recall on this transmission. Ever. There have been some Customer Satisfaction programs that many people think are recalls, but they are not. Those last for specific times and none of them are still in effect.

Originally Posted by Stainsy

Also tells me its a common problem in ford powertrains from 2004 to 2006.

I disagree with this.

Originally Posted by Stainsy

I would really like to find anyone else that has had this issue, and what it turned out to be.

All anyone can do is guess. If I knew what codes were stored in the computer I could give you specific things to look at. All I can tell from this is that something isn't right.

Originally Posted by Greenlee99

Some ford forums say that ford's have a saftey features that if brake lites are out it won't let you move till fixed

That's not true.

Originally Posted by twinboat

There has been some discussion on shops using the wrong filter in the transmission that could be causing your problem.

That was a problem with the 1989-1998 E4OD. After that there was only one filter that would fit, so that's not a possibility here.

Originally Posted by twinboat

Along with that, the blinking Tow/Haul light could be sending codes from the transmission.

It doesn't send codes, the computer detects a problem and it stores a code to tell the tech what it saw that was wrong.

Originally Posted by tderonne

OD light flashing IS a trans code. Check the codes and work from there.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by Pirate

Not many folks realize some years had an external filter. The filter is a toilet paper roll type filter and is prone to clogging. If you man clean out lines he may have just clogged the external filter even more. I believe once it is clogged it cuts fluid from the cooler. I think 2006 was last year for external, not sure though. I have an external filter on my 2006.

A clogged external filter does NOT cut the flow to the cooler. Only 10% of the flow to the cooler goes through the filter. If the filter clogs the fluid bypasses it and 100% flows through the cooler.

2008 was the last year with an external filter. During the 2008 model year Ford changed to a much improved internal filter, eliminating the need for the external filter. The new internal filter does a MUCH better job of filtering than the previous internal and external filter setup.

[TeJay]

Mark Kovalsky,

You never cease to amaze me with your Ford transmission knowledge. What a great response for the OP.

You don't waste words. You get right to the point by alerting the readers to misinformation. The knowledge gained can more accurately be used in the troubleshooting process. Awesome!!

Thanks are not enough.

TeJay

[Stainsy]

Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky

The flashing light means trouble codes have been stored in the computer's memory.

That could be a bad solenoid in the transmission. This same solenoid is also used at highway speeds, so these problems are likely to be related.


There was never a recall on this transmission. Ever. There have been some Customer Satisfaction programs that many people think are recalls, but they are not. Those last for specific times and none of them are still in effect.


I disagree with this.


All anyone can do is guess. If I knew what codes were stored in the computer I could give you specific things to look at. All I can tell from this is that something isn't right.

That's not true.

That was a problem with the 1989-1998 E4OD. After that there was only one filter that would fit, so that's not a possibility here.

It doesn't send codes, the computer detects a problem and it stores a code to tell the tech what it saw that was wrong.


Exactly.

A clogged external filter does NOT cut the flow to the cooler. Only 10% of the flow to the cooler goes through the filter. If the filter clogs the fluid bypasses it and 100% flows through the cooler.

2008 was the last year with an external filter. During the 2008 model year Ford changed to a much improved internal filter, eliminating the need for the external filter. The new internal filter does a MUCH better job of filtering than the previous internal and external filter setup.

Thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer me, and I respect your knowledge base. I am actually taking the MH to a transmission guy, and he is going to look for codes, and see what is going on tomorrow. I will as for the codes, and I will relay them to you, to see what you think. Thank you once again.

Dave

[Stainsy]

Well, I took the MH to the tranny guy yesterday, and, well, its cooked. Wouldn't shift into fourth or fifth almost at all, and when it did, was terrible. Drained some fluid, and burnt all to hell. When I checked it when we got back it was fine. Something else happened on the way to the tranny shop. So, unless I have a nice surprise, probably need to replace the whole transmission. Oh well, its only money.