harsh downshift to 1st

[anthonymtz]

Just recently noticed a hard downshift from second gear to first on my explorer, the individual that I bought it from really didn't do a lot of servicing on it, so I think the fluid might have been maybe changed once, anyways its like the terrible bang into reverse, but not as harsh, it's loud enough and noticeable enough to worry me that it's doing damage. I already have the new trans fluid and filter, I'm also taking off the solinoid to try and "clean" it to help with the harsh and delayed shift to reverse, any ideas on what it is? And should I add some lucus to see if it helps it?

 

[Sweersa]

My 2005 Explorer XLT did this for almost a year since I owned it. Usually before coming to stop, especially a more abrupt stop, I'd get a loud knocking or banging sound from the tranny before first gear. I bought it with around 165,000 miles. At around 177,000 I had the transmission filter replaced along with a drain and fill of the tranny fluid (sounds like what you did) It shifted a little smoother after this, but I still had the annoying clunking/banging for a few months. Then, the issue seems to have gone away! My best guess is the fresh fluid somehow "fixed" the issue. Hopefully it doesn't come back. I don't remember it doing it for about 3 weeks or so.

I think you can get an PCM software update too, but I'm not sure if it would help in this case.

 

[anthonymtz]

Sweet, I just got the fluid drained (like 6 or 7 quarts!!!l) Also got the solinoid off, cleaned the pan, and the magnet (was disgusting with this black paste) and cleaned the gasket, I found a video on YouTube on how to pretty much reman the solinoid, took out the 3the tiny screws and the passages were kinda crudy, cleaned them put everything back together and called it a day, tomorrow I'll be getting the new filter and some lucus for it and finishing up, I'm so thankful I didn't have any chunks or big bits of metal!! I want to try and keep this transmission healthy!!

 

[Number4]

This symptom is almost always related to the solenoid pack. Basically, just keep driving it until the pack goes. Mines been doing it off and on since I got it in 2013. Had 137k now has 168k on it.