False second gear change on transmission

[Mike Sandoval]

Hello all. I hope this is the right place to ask this on this site. I have a question about how to correct a false second gear change that occurrs on my trasmission. Is this something that can be corrected by the dealer? Would a chip change correct this? If so, which chip is the better one for this plus a decent retune of the engine?

Thanks,

Mike

[SergntMac]

Can you describe the symptoms with a bit more detail?

[Mike Sandoval]

Can you describe the symptoms with a bit more detail?The transmission changes gears correctly for the first gear change then, shifts into second for a brief moment then shifts correctly into second gear. It's as if second is too short or has a "false second gear change." This is how I have had it described to me by other MM owners. I saw someone else talk about this once and failed to read how he corrected it.

[RF Overlord]

Mike: Welcome to the board...I guarantee there is SOMEONE who can answer your question, but I'm still a little confused by your statement that the transmission "shifts into second for a brief moment then shifts correctly into second gear". The stock shift schedule DOES suck and it upshift all gears way too soon...maybe what you're feeling is the premature upshift into 3rd as it does come very quickly on the heels of the shift to second...same with the shift from third to OD...

If this is the case, then a chip or PCM reflash from one of the SCT hand-held tuners will absolutely fix your shifts. If something ELSE is going on, you may want to have the dealer verify there isn't something actually wrong with your transmission. How many miles are on the car and has it done this since day one?

[chasrein01]

Sounds like a "slip". Mine has done that a couple times, mostly when the electronic shifter can't figure out if I am really stomping on the throttle or just pushing it down. It has happened around 20-25 mph or so and at half throttle then stand on it hard. The shifter has just decided to shift normal then down shifts then upshifts with no observable increase in speed, just rpm, just like the transmission is slipping. I figure that I have to make up my mind a little quicker is all! After all, the car hasn't given me any other problems in the 6 mos. and 2500 miles I've had it.( other than a rear tire sidewall seperation--which I figure is BF'S fault not FLM)

[SergntMac]

It's been a long time since I've driven a bone stock tranny, but I remember my own 1st MM. It was sensitive to fluid level, so check that first?

I remember that it was WOT or nothing at all. Mild to medium throttle would not hold a gear longer like you would expect. The tranny forced the upshift, and TC lockup and OD came on very early in the program. If you tried more throttle from half throttle, it would downshift all the way back to 1st, even for just a second. It's goofy, and not pleasant to drive on if you're a gearhead.

[martyo]

Also sounds like it could be the Torue Converter locking/unlocking, which results in a bump in rpm by about 400 or so.

Tell us more Bout your car. Any mods?

And, tell us about you. Where are you located?

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - Welcome aboard. :D Transmission problems or any other are difficult to diagnose over the internet, although there were several good answers. IMO.

[Zack]

Hello all. I hope this is the right place to ask this on this site. I have a question about how to correct a false second gear change that occurrs on my trasmission. Is this something that can be corrected by the dealer? Would a chip change correct this? If so, which chip is the better one for this plus a decent retune of the engine?

Thanks,

Mike


My car does this, I have changed the shift points in the computer, changed driving styles, rebuilt the trans, rebuilt it again and it still does it.
Im not worried about it, just a little annoying.

[Bluerauder]

Hello all. I hope this is the right place to ask this on this site. Thanks,

Mike
Welcome to the MM.Net Mike :welcome: This place has the answers to all your questions about the MM. Happy Maraudering !!!!

[hbarrett]

Mike,
I had about the same experiences with my 04 MM from when it was new. The stock PCM program really sucks, and I contemplated getting rid of the car, but other members convinced me to get the tuner and 4.10 gears. DR supplied both, and dealer installed the gears. It made a real difference in the car's response and shifting characteristics. Recently, DR has modified the program a bit and I am evaluating the difference. Regardless, the stock program is terrible and somewhat unpredictable. You will be happy if you at least get a tuner for changing the transmission shifting program. Good luck!
Howard
Hello all. I hope this is the right place to ask this on this site. I have a question about how to correct a false second gear change that occurrs on my trasmission. Is this something that can be corrected by the dealer? Would a chip change correct this? If so, which chip is the better one for this plus a decent retune of the engine?

Thanks,

Mike

[Mike Sandoval]

Also sounds like it could be the Torue Converter locking/unlocking, which results in a bump in rpm by about 400 or so.

Tell us more Bout your car. Any mods?

And, tell us about you. Where are you located?My '03 300 B and I reside in Rio Rancho, New Mexico (just outside Albuquerque). Brought my MM home in February of '04 and have 11900 on the odometer. So far it is stock for the exception of a JLT Cold Air Intake and window tinting. This community sure does have it's fair share of knowledge and the will to make parts fit a Marauder. Hopefully some of the folks I've been following will not only make the list of parts available, but also will make a cross reference list of parts that fit from other Ford models. Like what brakes, rotors, and headers (from Mustangs and the like) will interchange with those on the Marauder. I have business cars so I don't drive my MM as much as I'd like. I refuse to drive it in the snow...I have an almost redone '79 Ford 4x4 for that.

I think the trans thing is the annoying more than problem thang. I will probably do the dealership trip first, since it's still under warranty. Then order a chip. Any suggestions on a chip?

[David Morton]

I had a 97 Grand Marquis and had been used to the TCC 25%-50%-75%-100% "hunting", so when I got the Marauder I knew what to expect. Now, I don't mind the extra rear wheel torque a bit. Mine's also a 2004 (better tranny) and it's supposed to be a bit better about "learning" my driving habits. I believe it because I hate the way it shifts when I have to drive my grandmother somewhere and have to take it easy.

Earlier when I first got the GM I had thought second gear was slipping, and I was a bit perplexed because I used to specialize in transmissions so I just knew it was fixing to give up second gear for good but it just kept going, and when it was explained to me that it was the convertor clutch and that they hadn't had many problems with this level of slippage I stopped worrying.

If yours is a 2004, give it some time to get used to you and you just might get used to it.

[MENINBLK]

My car does this, I have changed the shift points in the computer, changed driving styles, rebuilt the trans, rebuilt it again and it still does it.
Im not worried about it, just a little annoying.

Rebuilding the transmission won' t change the shift points.
To change the shift points requires reprogramming new shift poiints into the PCM (Powertraing Control Module).
What is probably being felt is the transmission torque converter as Martyo stated.

The converter will lock up in all gears except for 1st.
Each gear will have a main shift and and then a converter lockup,
unless you are accelerating with a fair amount of throttle.

You can shift the tranny manually and feel when the torque converter locks up.
You can also unlock and lock the torque converter momentarily by tapping on the brake pedal.

Start out in 1, with the OD OFF, shift to 2 @15 - 20 MPH.
When 2 makes the second shift, tap the brake pedal.
the converter will unlock, your RPMS will climb, and about 15 seconds later
or less, the converter will relock and you'll feel the second shift.

At 35 - 40 MPH you can shift it to D and feel the same thing happen in 3rd.

[Amsoil_Dealer]

Sounds like a "slip". Mine has done that a couple times, mostly when the electronic shifter can't figure out if I am really stomping on the throttle or just pushing it down. It has happened around 20-25 mph or so...

Mine does this too. At part throttle acceletaing out of a very slow corner it klunks around a bit and then finds second. It is also mkore pronounced when I have a full load of people in the car. It is disconcerting. Will a reflash help this?

Don

[RF Overlord]

It is disconcerting. Will a reflash help this?

Don, I'm assuming you mean a proper re-flash from a tuner, not one from a dealer...if so, then YES, it will help a LOT...I couldn't grasp what Mike Sandoval was describing because I've had mine re-flashed for so long, I can't even remember what the stock shifting was like... :rolleyes: