06 Ford Five Hundred - 6sp trans shifts like poop.

[GeorgeG.]

If there are any tranny techs knowledgeable with the 6spd trans found in the Ford 500, I could use your help. This is not the CVT.

So anyway, I bought this used 06 Five Hundred with 91K. For the most part, it's a pretty good car...with the expection of the transmission. I did some online research and it seems as though it's common for this transmission to have lag time from when you start stepping on the pedal to when the car actually starts moving. It's not slipping, you just have to keep on stepping on the gas pedal and once you're 2-3 inches into it, the RPM's and car actually start moving. It's really annoying when you're at a stop light and it turns green and I'm like "shit...go already". The car next to me is literally a car length ahead by the time mine starts rolling. In addition to that, if I'm cruising down the hwy around 60-65 mph and say I need to step on it for some reason, it feels like the transmission just dropped out of the bottom, slam a couple of gears and them accel. If I ease into it, it'll downshift smoothly and accel. Kind of like it doesn't know what freaking gear it should go into.

Other than that, it's a pretty cool car. But compared to my 03 Altima, the throttle response is pretty shitty. I don't have any service records so I plan on doing the 90K trans service but from what I found so far, it doesn't sound like that the root cause. TIA

[noslow5_0]

wow thats pretty shitty. I know someone who has one of that year and loves it. Look at it on the flip side. You'll get better at your reaction times antcipating the light changes. Does it rev fine when in nuetral and is only an issue when in gear?

[GeorgeG.]

Revs in neutral are fine and everyday grandpa driving habits are fine. Just that lag from a stop and aggressive shifting/passing is when it makes me want to step on puppies.

[BP]

If someone disconnected the battery recently you might need to do this:


Transmission Control Module (TCM) Initial Learning

NOTE:

When installing a new transmission, transmission control module or reflashing the TCM, the initialized learned values will need to be carried out. NOTE: This procedure cannot be carried out if the transmission fluid is not within the correct temperature specification.

1.

With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

2.

Install the diagnostic tool.

3.

Monitor and note the engagement and shift harshness on the diagnostic tool.

4.

With the engine idling, monitor the transmission fluid temperature. The fluid temperature should be between 66°C - 110°C (151°F - 230°F).

5.

With your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to NEUTRAL and hold for 3 seconds. Then move the shift lever to DRIVE and hold for 3 seconds. Carry this out 5 times. Then move the shift lever to PARK.

6.

With your foot on the brake, move the shift lever to NEUTRAL and hold for 3 seconds. Then move the shift lever to REVERSE and hold for 3 seconds. Carry this out 5 times. Then move the shift lever to PARK.

7.

Drive the vehicle and monitor the diagnostic tool.

8.

Drive the vehicle with the throttle opening between 25 - 30%. Drive until the vehicle reaches 6th gear, not to exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) . Then release the accelerator and coast to a stop within 60 seconds. Carry this out 10 times.

9.

The engagement and shift harshness have decreased.

[BP]

It's an AWF21 btw, I doubt any of the local transmission shops have ever seen one, much less tried to build it. I'm not even sure if Ford lets their techs build them yet.

[jdgregory84]

Have you checked for any recalls? I'm pretty sure those are adaptive strategy trannys so they can act funny at times. It'll throw the trannys computer for a loop if you do anything out of the ordinary and it's like it doesn't know what gear to go in. We had a few people complaining about that in the newer Escapes. Never saw that problem with the 500's though. Good luck. I'm guessing you don't have an extended service plan? If so, you might want to have it checked out. If not...well, like I said, good luck.

[BP]

I'm pretty sure those are adaptive strategy trannys so they can act funny at times.

You aren't kidding. I drove a rental M6 one time that felt like a powerglide with a transbrake. No problems, it just got flogged every time someone drove it. If the SES and OD lamps aren't on just drive it for a while, it'll adjust to you eventually. Or do the TCM relearn and it'l start over immediately. Adaptive shifting learns very fast but it takes a long time to unlearn.

[GeorgeG.]

thanks for the suggestions fellas. Negative on the extended service plan. Also, there were no recalls at the time of purchase. We've been driving it for about 3 weeks now and it still acts this way. No OD or SES lights.

I'll try the relearn steps...minus the diag tool and see if it improves.

[ryancbr]

new valve body. our mazda 6 did the same thing.

[RJDCobra]

Some 2005-2007 Five Hundred, Montego, and 2006-2008 Fusion, Milan, 2006 Zephyr and 2007-2008 MKZ vehicles equipped with an Aisin automatic transmission may experience shift concerns when the vehicle mileage gets above 20,000 miles (32,200 km). Shifting concerns are generally noticed during passing maneuvers with transmission at temperatures greater than 212 °F (100 °C) operating temperatures. Symptoms may be present during downshift 5-3 at 35 MPH (56 km/h) and/or 4-3 at 20 MPH (32 km/h) with throttle opening at approximately 50% or greater and include:

Harsh shift and/or clunk noise
Delayed shift and/or perceived slip/engine flare

Basically like the person above said ab out the valvebody. Ford Tech hotline has us drain the fluid through a coffee filter and is we see that the fluid is and/or burnt or contamination caught in filter, it going to need a new transmission. (ford does not allow us to overhaul these transmissions, theres not even a service procedure to overhaul in the service manual.)

but if we drain the fluid and no contamination is found it is requested to replace the valvebody assembly along with reprogramming transmission control module and powertrain control module.

[GeorgeG.]

thanks for that info RJD...will a trans flush not get the contaminates out? Now I'm kicking myself for not buying the freaking extended warranty.

[GeorgeG.]

Just dropped the car of this morning and sure enough it's the freaking valve body...and they want $2200.00 to replace it!!!

I just got that fucking car to cut down on my over all debt and monthly payment and now this.

[mustang_marc]

Just dropped the car of this morning and sure enough it's the freaking valve body...and they want $2200.00 to replace it!!!

I just got that fucking car to cut down on my over all debt and monthly payment and now this.

To avoid further debt, avoid the stealership!

[GeorgeG.]

Does anyone here work in Service that could get a rough quote to replace an AWF21 valve body in an 06 Five Hundred? I got a quote of $2200, then I got them to come down to $1700 after some complaining. I was told the valve body, their cost, was $1000. They didn't know that I had already called another dealer and retail was at $1000 so I think they're starting to BS me. So I look aoround online and the $1700 is about the going rate for that repair.

I'm tempted to just get back into some 1970's truck with a vacuum operated C6 tranny

RJD, mind if I ask what dealer you work at?

[psdtech]

post the vin and i can give you and i can get you an estimate