just received a notice for customer satisfaction program 04b22. here's the issue; your vehicle was filled at the assembly plant with a fluid formulation that, over time, may cause delayed and harsh reverse tranny engagements........your dealer will install a tranny additive to correct...... has any one else received this notification? hope that this new info with be informative to certain 2004 and 2005 model year vehicles equipped with 5R55S/5R55E/5R44E transmissions.
transmission fluid formulation
- Thread starter ls05ult
- Start date
Jim Henderson
Dedicated LVC Member
ls05ult said:
I called up the customer support hotline last week for info on the keyless code and was told of two customer satisfaction programs affecting my car. One was some funky label telling how to fold down the rear seats, the other was about the shift additive.
The lady didn't go into it but it sounded like enough people complained about the sometimes harsh shifting of our trannys. Lincoln will do it free, BUT there is a time limit. I don't know if the limit applies to everyone or is based upon original service date or from the time you are notified. My drop dead date is sometime in May, I am getting it done next week.
As I am going into my 4th week of ownership, the harsh shifting is about my only serious complaint. It really does occasionally slam into gear, usually after accelerating and then decelerating and then accelerating shortly after. For example, there is a small hill and turn near my house. I accelerate up the hill like normal, then I let off the gas as I get to the corner. No stop sign so if it is clear, I put a little gas to it as I round the corner. More than a few times, wham, it seems to downshift or it was in neutral and then picks a gear and then takes off.
I can't imagine this is good for the drive train in the long run.
We'll see if the additive cures my 2 or 3 complaints on the way the tranny shifts. It slam shifts, it seems to hesitate and shuffle between gears, and sometimes it really winds up in one gear before shifting. If it was a normal tranny I would be seriously worried.
So, if you get notice of this satisfaction service, be sure to check the expiration date.
Jim Henderson
Lincolnlov
Well-Known LVC Member
Jim,Jim Henderson said:
Had some shifting difficulties with my 03 Sport a few weeks back at just over 6K (not rpm). Told the dealer that those were the same symptoms my daughter had with her 04 Explorer which also has a 5 speed. The Additive didn't solve her problems and with clear documentation of the problem continuing, Ford replaced the solenoid packs and valve body on the Explorer. That finally solved the problem. My LM dealer did the same for my LS and now it shifts the way I think it should. lol, Lincolnlov
ford is dancing around the main root problem.thay are trying to fix problem the cheapest thay can get out. end the end it cost them out the butt. these trannys are very good,the only problem thay are having is poor quality solinoid packs and v/b that are wearing out to soon.lsbit said:
eL eS
Dedicated LVC Member
l-m tech said:
Yep. I have been through 4! Just insane that they would continue to not fix they problem at its root.
Lincolnlov
Well-Known LVC Member
El eS (He iS),eL eS said:
I note that you mentioned four. Was that 3 before you replaced the valve body? As I recall you have mentioned in some thread that you have about 100k on your LS. Is that right? Did you ever get any info from Ford as to why the solenoids fail? I was told, regarding my daughter's Explorer (which had both replaced) that the root of the problem for the 04 models was out of spec. transmission fluid from the original supplier. To blame some one else is always convenient but maybe its has some truth to it. My LM dealer just says there are problems with them but replaced both the solenoids and the VB at just about 6k. Lincolnlov
eL eS
Dedicated LVC Member
Lincolnlov said:
4 solenoid packs 1 valve body. I have only spoke to the guys that turn the wrenches and they only thing they could add was that they see an unusual number of LS' with tranny problems.
I would love to know what it is though. Hell if they can't or won't fix it let me try.
the newest tsb 05-6-12 came out on the 8th of april.they want you to check pres. at the pres. solinoid port. if the pres. is to high the repair is to replace the solinoid pack then and the trans additive to it. if it pres. spikes do the same. and if the pres. is fine just add additive.the clear keep alive memory and relearn the engagement stratagy.this pertains to all 04-05 ls,expl.,avi.,moun.,with the 5r55s built pryor to09/23/2004
eL eS
Dedicated LVC Member
I wonder why they do not have actions fo the 5r55n.