Currently on a road trip across the country.

[Jparks8]

Lately I'm experiencing two issues with my 2016 explorer, both seem to be taking place on long hauls of 4 hours or greater.

1. Transmission Fluid Temp Code (P0218) and Transmission over temp (P1783). The dummy gauge tells me to service transmission, then will go away. OBDII tells me it's these two codes.

2. Also on longer highway drives, when I hit the brakes, the engine will downshift/engine brake for no apparent reason. I'm not in tow/haul mode and I dont have any super heavy cargo in the van.

These issues are not mutually exclusive but I cant help but think they're related. I cant seem to find much here via the search nor on the web. Any ideas? Vehicle in question is a 2016 Ford explorer xlt 3.5 4wd

 

[410Fortune]

Transmission is getting hot
Transmission fluid breaks down with heat
Transmission fluid is a coolant, a lube, and a hydraulic fluid all in one. Heat removes its abilities to do these things

Excessive heat is created when the trans experiences slippage or there is a problem with the trans cooler

Time to inspect your cooling stack, cooling fans, and transmission fluid.
Maybe time for a service before it cooks itself

How many miles?

 

[2017PIU]

Transmission is getting hot
Transmission fluid breaks down with heat
Transmission fluid is a coolant, a lube, and a hydraulic fluid all in one. Heat removes its abilities to do these things

Excessive heat is created when the trans experiences slippage or there is a problem with the trans cooler

Time to inspect your cooling stack, cooling fans, and transmission fluid.
Maybe time for a service before it cooks itself

How many miles?

I'm new here. Are these known for mouse/rat/squirrel nests between the rads, like some other vehicles? Might be a semi easy place to start looking..

 

[Jparks8]

67,710

Transmission is getting hot
Transmission fluid breaks down with heat
Transmission fluid is a coolant, a lube, and a hydraulic fluid all in one. Heat removes its abilities to do these things

Excessive heat is created when the trans experiences slippage or there is a problem with the trans cooler

Time to inspect your cooling stack, cooling fans, and transmission fluid.
Maybe time for a service before it cooks itself

How many miles?

 

[410Fortune]

A good
Flashlight should work

If you have live data scanner you can monitor your trans fluid temp in the pan and maybe see when it climbs if you feel any slippage from the torque converter

 

[peterk9]

67,710

Welcome to the Forum.

Peter