Skywise
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- Joined
- October 11, 2022
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- California
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2006 4.6L V8 Eddie Bauer
Hi everyone. Brian here with my first post. I've already found this place useful. Now I need some advice.
Sorry this is lengthy. Just trying to provide all possibly relevant details. Forgive me if I over do it.
Vehicle:
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
4.6L V8
6R60 Transmission
Approaching 138k miles
About me:
I have a background in electronics and currently refurbish computers for a living. I understand good diagnostic and analysis procedures. I have done basic repair work on vehicles for years, both car and motorcycle.
Further, I have the factory manuals for this vehicle, both engine/body and full wiring diagrams. I purchased these to address other issues as detailed below.
It's OK to use the big technical words.
Issue:
Problem is a 'bump' when coming to a creeping stop at low speeds. Hard stops from speed exhibit no symptom.
Background:
About 3 months ago the radiator went bad, mixing coolant with transmission fluid - strawberry milkshake. Looked into rebuilding at first but instead was replaced with pre-owned. Said it would cost more than the $1800 for the used tranny just in parts alone to rebuild existing tranny. Work done by AAMCO.
Out of the shop experienced hard shifts and bad shift points. Also, hard double thump when stopping. I thought I was rear ended at first. Took it back in and was assured this would improve as the TCM needs to relearn the shift points. I understand this. Read it in the manual.
Time has passed and the tranny has improved tremendously. Shifts like a dream. Except....
Still experiencing mild bump when stopping during a creeping stop. Harder stops exhibit no symptoms.
References:
Searching I discovered on this forum multiple mentions of a TSB related to this exact issue with this exact make/model/tranny. Solution is updating PCM and TCM software. TSB 07-23-2.
see:
www.explorerforum.com
www.explorerforum.com
Current situation:
I just took it back to AAMCO just a few days shy of the 3 month warranty on the used tranny, along with a copy of the TSB. Could not duplicate issue, even with me driving (they tried first). I asked if they did anything and got no reply. On the drive to the shop I could repeatedly duplicate the issue. Driving home it might have done it once or twice, barely noticeable.
They asked if I've disconnected the battery. Not since the work done. They say doing so resets the computer and it has to relearn all over again. I've done that many times before the tranny replacement for other work I did, such as replacing the alternator, and experienced no issues.
AAMCO says they could do PCM/TCM update, but it costs (ie not warranty). I inquired about when TCM was reprogrammed during replacement, was it up to date? Said they have an outside guy come in to do that stuff. (ehhhh? A transmission shop outsources transmission work? Even the tranny re-builder was outsourced. But I digress.)
They pointed out I have trouble codes, which I am already aware. I have been having fault codes related to the entire heated O2 sensor system which I have deduced is a wiring issue. The odds of all four O2 sensors going bad at once is minuscule. And it is intermittent. (NOTE: This issue existed before the tranny replacement.) Mechanic tried to suggest it may cause the issue. Issue may be due to water ingress to wiring harness from the windshield cowl area, apparently a known issue. So far, I have deduced the likely culprit is a wiring splice on the hot side common to all the sensors. I have also had water get into one of the rearmost spark plug wells which caused misfires. I've taken measures to prevent further occurrence.
I also have a power inverter, which the mechanic said could cause a load sufficient to cause computer problems. I've had this inverter long before the tranny work with no issue, other than occasionally accidentally draining the battery. Jump start and everything is fine. Never had any tranny problems. A couple years ago I added a load monitor to measure how many amps I pull, and how many amp/hours drawn so it's been a long time since I've needed a jump. Certainly not since the tranny replacement. Besides, typical load is 2-5 amps, peak 15. Wiring rated for 40. Fused for 35. Mechanic says that if, for example, driving full open throttle, transmission needs more current to operate and inverter may prevent that. (I drive like a grandma, it's a V8, gas is expensive)
In the interest of full disclosure, I have also had a problem with the A/C clutch engaging when the climate control system is off. This bogs the engine down as it's not expecting the extra load from the AC compressor and doesn't adjust accordingly. I have firmly traced that to a wiring issue as only disconnecting at the clutch itself provides relief. Pulling the clutch relay and diode didn't prevent the clutch intermittently engaging.
I also have the symptom that my climate system blower motor only runs on high. Diagnosis points to a bad blower motor control module. Disconnected for now. Open windows it is.
Again, I want to emphasize, all these other issues were present for long before the transmission replacement and I experienced NO problems with the performance of the original transmission. It's been difficult for me to address these issues as I cannot afford to have the work done, and though I'm not incapable of doing it myself when I have the time, that has also been in short supply. Plus, many of the problems are intermittent and hard to catch "in the act", which any tech of any kind knows makes a precise diagnosis very difficult. It's taken me this long just to get to where I'm at now.
Specific questions:
Can any of these issues cause the transmission to misbehave in the way described? As suggested by AAMCO?
> Disconnecting battery.
> HO2 sensor problems.
> Power inverter use.
> A/C clutch wiring.
The TSB describes my issue exactly, including additional symptoms I was beginning to suspect.
The ONLY thing I can see that all this has to do with the transmission performance is possibly yet another wiring issue. However, I find that unlikely or highly coincidental as, again, all these issues existed before the transmission replacement and I experienced no transmission issues before replacement.
Any other ideas? Or am I on the right track?
If you got this far, thank you!!
Brian
Sorry this is lengthy. Just trying to provide all possibly relevant details. Forgive me if I over do it.
Vehicle:
2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer
4.6L V8
6R60 Transmission
Approaching 138k miles
About me:
I have a background in electronics and currently refurbish computers for a living. I understand good diagnostic and analysis procedures. I have done basic repair work on vehicles for years, both car and motorcycle.
Further, I have the factory manuals for this vehicle, both engine/body and full wiring diagrams. I purchased these to address other issues as detailed below.
It's OK to use the big technical words.
Issue:
Problem is a 'bump' when coming to a creeping stop at low speeds. Hard stops from speed exhibit no symptom.
Background:
About 3 months ago the radiator went bad, mixing coolant with transmission fluid - strawberry milkshake. Looked into rebuilding at first but instead was replaced with pre-owned. Said it would cost more than the $1800 for the used tranny just in parts alone to rebuild existing tranny. Work done by AAMCO.
Out of the shop experienced hard shifts and bad shift points. Also, hard double thump when stopping. I thought I was rear ended at first. Took it back in and was assured this would improve as the TCM needs to relearn the shift points. I understand this. Read it in the manual.
Time has passed and the tranny has improved tremendously. Shifts like a dream. Except....
Still experiencing mild bump when stopping during a creeping stop. Harder stops exhibit no symptoms.
References:
Searching I discovered on this forum multiple mentions of a TSB related to this exact issue with this exact make/model/tranny. Solution is updating PCM and TCM software. TSB 07-23-2.
see:
2006 Explorer 6 speed transmission shifting issue - update
I am one of many who had the very hard shift to 1st gear. Had the PCM reprogrammed and then the mechtronics assembly replaced. Well it is shifting like crap again and the dealer told me Ford has stopped paying them to replace the mechtronics assembly. The dealer told me to call ford and...
6R60 Torque Converter Lockup/1-2 Shift Quality Issues
My v8/6r Mountaineer has 1-2 shift quality issues. 166k miles. Not sure if original trans or not. It upshifts smoothly around 3500rpm, but it tends to flare occasionally on >~3500rpm upshifts, and shift sort of harsh on
Current situation:
I just took it back to AAMCO just a few days shy of the 3 month warranty on the used tranny, along with a copy of the TSB. Could not duplicate issue, even with me driving (they tried first). I asked if they did anything and got no reply. On the drive to the shop I could repeatedly duplicate the issue. Driving home it might have done it once or twice, barely noticeable.
They asked if I've disconnected the battery. Not since the work done. They say doing so resets the computer and it has to relearn all over again. I've done that many times before the tranny replacement for other work I did, such as replacing the alternator, and experienced no issues.
AAMCO says they could do PCM/TCM update, but it costs (ie not warranty). I inquired about when TCM was reprogrammed during replacement, was it up to date? Said they have an outside guy come in to do that stuff. (ehhhh? A transmission shop outsources transmission work? Even the tranny re-builder was outsourced. But I digress.)
They pointed out I have trouble codes, which I am already aware. I have been having fault codes related to the entire heated O2 sensor system which I have deduced is a wiring issue. The odds of all four O2 sensors going bad at once is minuscule. And it is intermittent. (NOTE: This issue existed before the tranny replacement.) Mechanic tried to suggest it may cause the issue. Issue may be due to water ingress to wiring harness from the windshield cowl area, apparently a known issue. So far, I have deduced the likely culprit is a wiring splice on the hot side common to all the sensors. I have also had water get into one of the rearmost spark plug wells which caused misfires. I've taken measures to prevent further occurrence.
I also have a power inverter, which the mechanic said could cause a load sufficient to cause computer problems. I've had this inverter long before the tranny work with no issue, other than occasionally accidentally draining the battery. Jump start and everything is fine. Never had any tranny problems. A couple years ago I added a load monitor to measure how many amps I pull, and how many amp/hours drawn so it's been a long time since I've needed a jump. Certainly not since the tranny replacement. Besides, typical load is 2-5 amps, peak 15. Wiring rated for 40. Fused for 35. Mechanic says that if, for example, driving full open throttle, transmission needs more current to operate and inverter may prevent that. (I drive like a grandma, it's a V8, gas is expensive)
In the interest of full disclosure, I have also had a problem with the A/C clutch engaging when the climate control system is off. This bogs the engine down as it's not expecting the extra load from the AC compressor and doesn't adjust accordingly. I have firmly traced that to a wiring issue as only disconnecting at the clutch itself provides relief. Pulling the clutch relay and diode didn't prevent the clutch intermittently engaging.
I also have the symptom that my climate system blower motor only runs on high. Diagnosis points to a bad blower motor control module. Disconnected for now. Open windows it is.
Again, I want to emphasize, all these other issues were present for long before the transmission replacement and I experienced NO problems with the performance of the original transmission. It's been difficult for me to address these issues as I cannot afford to have the work done, and though I'm not incapable of doing it myself when I have the time, that has also been in short supply. Plus, many of the problems are intermittent and hard to catch "in the act", which any tech of any kind knows makes a precise diagnosis very difficult. It's taken me this long just to get to where I'm at now.
Specific questions:
Can any of these issues cause the transmission to misbehave in the way described? As suggested by AAMCO?
> Disconnecting battery.
> HO2 sensor problems.
> Power inverter use.
> A/C clutch wiring.
The TSB describes my issue exactly, including additional symptoms I was beginning to suspect.
The ONLY thing I can see that all this has to do with the transmission performance is possibly yet another wiring issue. However, I find that unlikely or highly coincidental as, again, all these issues existed before the transmission replacement and I experienced no transmission issues before replacement.
Any other ideas? Or am I on the right track?
If you got this far, thank you!!
Brian
