Transmission clunking and cant decide what gear to go into

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2006 Expedition KR, 4WD with trailer tow package. 230K miles and was running great. Use Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil and also Transmission Fluid. Do not tow anything any longer (sold boat about 5 years ago). Driving back to Georgia from NC in heat, the Check charging system indicator came on with the battery dash light. Had diagnostics checked in Raleigh and found nothing so began my trip and barely in SC when we stopped and car would not crank again. Felt like dead battery. Had towed for Ford Dealer and they fixed it saying voltage regulator failed and alternator over drove battery, so they replaced all three. Left there this morning and after about 300 miles the tranny began to clunk when trying to shift, or even not downshift unless we came to a stop. O/D gear works but transmission seemed to not be able to decide to downshift and any shifting without gas pedal down was clunky. Is this related to the electrical issue or something unrelated? Has been about 40K miles since last trans flush and all extremely clean. What would some of you experts recommend I do?? I will go have trans fluid /filter changed but could this be some electrical component that got fried with alternator /regulator failure?

Thanks, Jim
Dawsonville, GA
 

docraymund

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Try checking the speed sensor. If good, observe the time it takes to get into drive or reverse from park. If more than 2 seconds, your trans might need repair.
 
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Thanks, I will look at that. The local AAMCO tells me there is a TSB about something called a separator plate that causes similar symptoms. I will post findings
 
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Got my Expedition back today and it was the separator plate that had cracked. AAMCO replaced the plate, fluid, and filter and transmission works great. Much cheaper that torque converter or transmission.

Thanks to all
 

Transporter

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Great to hear, Jim. Did they tell you what years the TSB was for?

Speaking of TSBs and Recalls, is there a best site to check all that stuff against ones VIN or Year, Make, Model?
 
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No they didn't mention the year but I believe all repair shops can subscribe to the bulletin service. Have no idea how though. Perhaps a call to Ford Service guy at dealer could help. He also showed me some little plastic balls that looked like mouse poop and said something about their use to block flow into certain holes in transmission and Ford uses theme or this purpose.
 

Maloburro

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Got my Expedition back today and it was the separator plate that had cracked. AAMCO replaced the plate, fluid, and filter and transmission works great. Much cheaper that torque converter or transmission.

Thanks to all

That's good to hear! How much is much cheaper?
 

Maloburro

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That is indeed much cheaper. I'm wondering if mine has the same issue. It just upshifts as fast as it can then the truck feels like it's lugging along.
 
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You might check with Ford on The TSB and take it someone to look at. I'm not much on car mechanics but if you are or know someone who is, it might not be hard to check. The plate was cracked in my case. So it was pretty easy to look at it and tell. I guess it was a fatigue crack from the miles. Good luck
 

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