Community Forums

Vhol5 · 03-12-2016, 08:01 PM

I have a 2016 WBG 31BE, with the 6 speed. I'm wondering if there is something wrong with it.
I see no difference between normal or tow/haul mode. I press the button, tow?haul indicator comes on and nothing else happens. Shifts the same and I get absolutely no downshift when I tap on the brakes. Single tap, multiple taps, nothing.
I recently came down some pretty good grades and had to physically move the shift lever to lower gears.
Man, I hope it isn't something other than maybe a program error...
I hate to have to find a dealer to take it to. Its currently at CW getting a few issues repaired. Now it looks like I'm going to lose more time at the Ford dealership.
Dang!
Anyone of you ever have the same issue?

powerboatr · 03-12-2016, 09:02 PM

sounds like a ecm glitch....
you would think...being as heavy as the RV is, the computer would by default be in the tow haul mode.

but yes it should gently downshift if it can, engine rpm wise in the tow haul

TeJay · 03-13-2016, 07:53 AM

I realize 5 Star probably won't fix it but if it were me I'd send an e-mail to Chris at 5 Star and see if they have any suggestions. Yes I realize that it's Fords problem but still Chris may have a suggestion.

I might just disconnect the battery and that would effectively reboot the system maybe. It sure won't hurt anything. Something else to consider. I'm thinking that if a real issue does exist maybe a engine code will occur setting the MIL (Maintenance indicator light). The MIL is supposed to come on when something occurs that effects the emissions. That may also be tied into the A/T if it fails to deliver.

Most of the above is just a guess. I've been away from this stuff for 10 years so I'm sure things have changed.

You might also just call or stop into a Ford garage and quiz the service writer (SW). It would be best to find one that does work on the newer transmission or at least an RV dealer. Maybe just talking to them they might have a suggestion or an idea. Sometime the guys behind the counter can help.

Also with something this new they may be just getting a few owners with issues on the A/T. Not enough complaints to issue a TSB but enough to alert the dealers of some problem.

I was in about a month ago concerned about or Ford Fusion. The A/T was kind of shifting funny. I asked if there were TSB on the shifting issues and the SW said nothing but he'd let me know if he heard anything.

TeJay

tderonne · 03-13-2016, 08:01 AM

Others have noticed this issue.

Another 6 speed thread

Vhol5 · 03-13-2016, 09:40 AM

Well then, I guess I'm not the only one! I really hope Ford does recognize there's a problem and rectifies it. It is a little scary sometimes!

LVRVLUVR · 03-16-2016, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vhol5

Well then, I guess I'm not the only one! I really hope Ford does recognize there's a problem and rectifies it. It is a little scary sometimes!

same problem here

not only scary,,, but dangerous

you should not use your brakes to control down hill speed...
you should use the engine and trans,...

my coach flat runs away on the down hill..same as stated ... tow/haul or not...

the only time mine works is if I hit the down hill in cruise control... say at 62 mph..... soon as it starts to gain speed it starts down shifting..

but... if you tap the brakes... that goes away and it starts gaining speed and runs away...

powercat_ras · 03-16-2016, 06:58 AM

Personally, I had a tendency not to press the brake long enough for tow/haul to downshift and finally figured out I had to hold foot on brake longer for tow/haul downshift to work. Other thing I figured out is that tow/haul won't downshift if the RPM that would result is too high for what Ford programmed into the ECM as the highest RPM they like for engine braking.

( I am not sure what too high is but it seems to be under 5,000 )

LVRVLUVR · 03-16-2016, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

Personally, I had a tendency not to press the brake long enough for tow/haul to downshift and finally figured out I had to hold foot on brake longer for tow/haul downshift to work. Other thing I figured out is that tow/haul won't downshift if the RPM that would result is too high for what Ford programmed into the ECM as the highest RPM they like for engine braking.

( I am not sure what too high is but it seems to be under 5,000 )

you have a 5 speed.... I never had the problem with any of the 5 speeds I owned or have driven...

jharrell · 03-16-2016, 10:22 AM

Haven't had a chance to try it yet on mine since I live in flat FL. Will be heading up to SC this weekend though and may get a chance.

Very disappointing if tow-haul doesn't work as advertised, sound like another TSB for the 2016 chassis.

jharrell · 03-16-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

Personally, I had a tendency not to press the brake long enough for tow/haul to downshift and finally figured out I had to hold foot on brake longer for tow/haul downshift to work. Other thing I figured out is that tow/haul won't downshift if the RPM that would result is too high for what Ford programmed into the ECM as the highest RPM they like for engine braking.

( I am not sure what too high is but it seems to be under 5,000 )

This would make sense, the 2016 engine rpm cap seems to be 4200 now but 5000 before. This would mean less flexibility it downshifting, you would need to use the brakes to slow the MH enough so it could downshift and still be under 4200.

You would think the engine would not be limited to 4200 for engine braking purposes, only in up-shift threshold. You would get more noise going down-hill but have more engine braking ability too.

barnmother · 03-16-2016, 12:09 PM

WOW mine is just the opposite from what I have been reading.. Mine works just like our 5 speed did in tow haul but with less dramatic or sever down shifts.. But here is the real catch.. If we are not in tow haul and a big hill jumps out all of a sudden it will still do the downshifts as if it were in tow haul.. All other times it works fine in normal mode unless we hit a hill before I hit the T/H button..I would think this is a nice safety feature.

On another note before we got our new unit we had to wait a couple days extra because Ford had to install an updated shift cable.. Make sure yours has it on the 6 speed

Vhol5 · 03-16-2016, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnmother

WOW mine is just the opposite from what I have been reading.. Mine works just like our 5 speed did in tow haul but with less dramatic or sever down shifts.. But here is the real catch.. If we are not in tow haul and a big hill jumps out all of a sudden it will still do the downshifts as if it were in tow haul.. All other times it works fine in normal mode unless we hit a hill before I hit the T/H button..I would think this is a nice safety feature.

On another note before we got our new unit we had to wait a couple days extra because Ford had to install an updated shift cable.. Make sure yours has it on the 6 speed

How does one know if they have the updated shift cable, and what's different about it?

barnmother · 03-16-2016, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vhol5

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How does one know if they have the updated shift cable, and what's different about it?

I would guess you would need to get a hold of your factory rep and give him the Vin number.. I was told the original cable was to short if I remember correct for the 6 speed..

campersRus · 03-17-2016, 07:36 PM

I'm one of the new owners of the revised V-10 with the 6 speed and it has yet to down-shift going down a grade. First time I exited off the interstate into a rest area is when I discovered...oh crap!! I did email Chris at 5-Star and waiting on a response. Hopefully their tune can "fix" this issue. The response I received from one Ford dealer was..."I don't know".

Steve