2010 Expi EL Limited Transmission and Cruise control issues

[Woodie]

I have a 2010 Expi EL Limited with approx 33K miles on it. It is a new truck to me. I bought from a friend who had recently had a problem with the truck now starting/cranking after it had run for a while then stopped for more than about 5 minutes. Took the dealership a long time to figure out it was a sensor in the transmission not telling the computer(s) it was in Park. I bought the truck knowing all this, it was fixed under warranty and I didn't notice anything unusual while test driving it for about a week. Recently, I have noticed some strange transmission and cruise control issues. I will try to break them into 2 categories but the issues may be caused by a common problem.

Cruise control... The CC is slow to respond on uphill situations. It will not shift until it is almost 5 mph slower than the set speed and when it does shift it will usually drop 2 gears with a big jump in rpm. Then, when it reaches the top of the hill and downshifts, it will sometimes immediately downshift again with a big jump in rpm for a short period then shift into 'normal' rpm/speed. Then, on long downhills (not short downhill runs), at the bottom it will gradually slow and go down past the set speed. Usually it will be 4-5 mph low before it begins to accelerate back to set speed. Sometimes it will stay at the lower speed with the CC active. Sometimes, the CC will actually go 'off' after it slows to well below the set speed.

Transmission... In addition to the CC issues listed above, the transmission seems to behave oddly w/o the CC on. Acceleration and downshifting seems sluggish in reacting. Sometimes it will downshift 2 gears instead of just one on gentle acceleration. Not consistent but noticeable. When coasting, sometimes it seems to be coasting against compression and then the speed/rpm will change like it is changing gears as it slows. Hard to describe but it is like normal deceleration then you can feel additional 'drag' and faster deceleration as if it downshifted. This typically occurs around 30mph.

Transmission 2... I have a long downhill run before the exit to my house. I often just pop the transmission into neutral and just coast. When I do this with the 2010, the engine maintains rpm like it is gear (CC not on) until it gets down to about 20 mph then the engine drops to idle rpm.

I have talked to the service dept at local dealership and so far they are baffled. Service manager says he has called HQ tech support about this but who knows.

My guess is the transmission control module needs to have the firmware reloaded but we are waiting for Tech Support to respond.

Any ideas or advice prior to taking it in to the dealer?

thanks
Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

 

[Woodie]

Dealer appointment is next Tue, Oct 7. Quick update tho. Meanwhile, I have been driving the truck more aggressively than I normally would and the transmission shift behavior is changing slowly. Too early to tell for sure, but the cruise control seems to also be changing. No longer shifting late on uphills and the strange upshift/downshift at the top of hills seems to be going away. I will keep the dealership appointment scheduled for now but may cancel it if the shift pattern continues to improve.

Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

 

[FordCustSrvc]

Dealer appointment is next Tue, Oct 7. Quick update tho. Meanwhile, I have been driving the truck more aggressively than I normally would and the transmission shift behavior is changing slowly. Too early to tell for sure, but the cruise control seems to also be changing. No longer shifting late on uphills and the strange upshift/downshift at the top of hills seems to be going away. I will keep the dealership appointment scheduled for now but may cancel it if the shift pattern continues to improve.

Good afternoon Woodie!

I'm going to loop in your regional customer service manager, who'll work with you and your dealer to come to a solution. Just shoot me a DM with your full name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealership.

Todd

 

[Woodie]

Thanks Todd

I will get the info you requested to you asap.

Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

 

[FordCustSrvc]

Thanks Todd

I will get the info you requested to you asap.

Awesome! I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Todd

 

[Woodie]

Todd,

Just sent a PM with the info you requested.

Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

 

[FordCustSrvc]

Todd,

Just sent a PM with the info you requested.

Woodie

Received and working on your case as we speak, Woodie. Standby for a PM.

Todd

 

[Woodie]

A quick update for those interested. Thanks to Todd (FordCustSrvc) here on this forum and Tami, a Ford Customer Service Manager, in cooperation with the dealership I was originally going to go to, they have arranged for me to use a different dealership (closer) that actually has some hills nearby they can test the cruise control issues while driving. The original dealership had no hills at all near them. This was all triggered thru 'Ford' with no requests or input from me. Tami conferenced me in with the Service Manager of the nearer dealership and they both quickly set up a new time for me to take the truck in next week. No hassle, no dodging......

I know we all like to bash a dealer/service organization for not listening, being stubborn, etc, but in this case I have to acknowledge Ford for being pro-active on this situation. I will admit I was getting myself all mentally set for a 'hassle' when I took the truck in next week, but I really do appreciate the pro-active approach that has been taken so far. It may still be a problem beyond a simple visit/test but at least I feel like I am working with a company that is actually trying to help the customer.

Thanks Todd, Tami and Ford, I will keep everyone posted.

Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

 

[tojohnso]

Have you tried unplugging the battery to reset the system? It would then need to re-learn and may self correct?

 

[Woodie]

According to what I have read, the 2010 has KAM (keep alive memory) in it's computers so disconnecting the battery will not reset the shift patterns.

We will find out Wed at the dealer tho.

Woodie

 

[tojohnso]

Interesting - I have a 2011 and thought I read that you could disconnect the battery to reset it. Definitely let us know.

For what it's worth - I tested putting my transmission in Neutral while coasting to a stoplight - flat surface. The RPMs didn't decrease until I came to a stop. I'm assuming this is so if you were to put it back in to drive, the RPMs would be where they needed to be for the transmission to go back in to gear. Kind of like what would happen when you have a manual but you rev up to where the gear you are going for would require.

 

[Woodie]

OK, quick update

Just back from dealership. They ran diagnostics, no trouble reported. Drove the truck about 40 miles, up and down hills, etc. Verified what I was reporting was in fact happening. Ford Technical support looking at results now. The dealership did not want to reflash the transmission without understanding what might be causing the issue so I picked up the truck.

Service manager at the dealership explained what they did and said they would call me when they hear back from Ford Tech Support.

All in all, the dealership was fine, they were helpful, asked lots of questions and actually spent some time driving the truck to identify the cause. I also understand their reluctance to 'shotgun' a solution.

So, now we wait.....

Woodie

 

[FordCustSrvc]

A quick update for those interested. Thanks to Todd (FordCustSrvc) here on this forum and Tami, a Ford Customer Service Manager, in cooperation with the dealership I was originally going to go to, they have arranged for me to use a different dealership (closer) that actually has some hills nearby they can test the cruise control issues while driving. The original dealership had no hills at all near them. This was all triggered thru 'Ford' with no requests or input from me. Tami conferenced me in with the Service Manager of the nearer dealership and they both quickly set up a new time for me to take the truck in next week. No hassle, no dodging......

I know we all like to bash a dealer/service organization for not listening, being stubborn, etc, but in this case I have to acknowledge Ford for being pro-active on this situation. I will admit I was getting myself all mentally set for a 'hassle' when I took the truck in next week, but I really do appreciate the pro-active approach that has been taken so far. It may still be a problem beyond a simple visit/test but at least I feel like I am working with a company that is actually trying to help the customer.

Thanks Todd, Tami and Ford, I will keep everyone posted.

Woodie
2010 Expediton EL Limited 5.4L 2WD

OK, quick update

Just back from dealership. They ran diagnostics, no trouble reported. Drove the truck about 40 miles, up and down hills, etc. Verified what I was reporting was in fact happening. Ford Technical support looking at results now. The dealership did not want to reflash the transmission without understanding what might be causing the issue so I picked up the truck.

Service manager at the dealership explained what they did and said they would call me when they hear back from Ford Tech Support.

All in all, the dealership was fine, they were helpful, asked lots of questions and actually spent some time driving the truck to identify the cause. I also understand their reluctance to 'shotgun' a solution.

So, now we wait.....

Woodie

Thanks for the update, Woodie.

We are glad to read about your positive feedback as a Ford Family member.

Please continue to keep us posted and Have a wonderful day!

Tricia

 

[Woodie]

Another update

Ford Tech Support contacted the dealership recommending reflashing the transmission computer. Basically, resetting everything to 'new' and starting from there. Appointment for reflash is Tue, Oct 14

Woodie

 

[Bedrck47]

Thanks for the update. post the next results as I am sure others are interested.

 

[Woodie]

Dealership reflashed 'everything' yesterday. When I drove away, my Expi thought it had just rolled off the factory assembly line....

I did some tests up and down the long hills between the dealership and home. First impression is there is an improvement. Still exhibits some of the initial symptoms but all in all it 'feels like' it is better. Further driving and letting the car adjust to my driving etc might show more improvement.

All in all, I think it is better. It is definitely different than when I took it into the dealership.

What was supposed to be a 2 hour appointment turned out to be 3.5 hours but the dealership has a nice customer service lounge with coffee and hot chocolate... ;-)

Woodie

 

[Woodie]

OK, last post on this issue. I have now driven the Expi several days in different driving conditions. Overall, the transmission shifts more 'as expected', sometimes it is a bit strange, but nothing to get upset over. Cruise control in flatter terrain is just fine. Still seems to shift a bit late but nothing I would consider 'broken'. I appears the 'late shift' approach is an averaging technique to stay in as high a gear for as long as possible to increase mileage. I do notice that if you get into a rolling hill area, the transmission will begin to shift sooner after short down hill then another uphill quickly but if you run along for a while on flat terrain, then hit a hill, it goes back to 'late shift'.

However, the cruise control problem of not resuming the set speed after a long downhill is still there. I have a long down hill section I drive quite often and the speed at the bottom of the hill will drop well below the set speed, then hold at about 5-6 mph less than the set speed for quite a distance, often more than a half mile, then gradually accelerate back to the set speed. I have tried hitting 'resume' at the bottom of the long hill and that makes no difference. Ford techs say this is 'normal' but I find that a bit hard to buy. The good news is, most other things are just fine now and I can live with this small issue. If you know it is there, you just reset the speed at the bottom of the hill.

All in all, I am pleased with the service I received and the follow up from Ford Customer Service.

 

[FordCustSrvc]

OK, last post on this issue. I have now driven the Expi several days in different driving conditions. Overall, the transmission shifts more 'as expected', sometimes it is a bit strange, but nothing to get upset over. Cruise control in flatter terrain is just fine. Still seems to shift a bit late but nothing I would consider 'broken'. I appears the 'late shift' approach is an averaging technique to stay in as high a gear for as long as possible to increase mileage. I do notice that if you get into a rolling hill area, the transmission will begin to shift sooner after short down hill then another uphill quickly but if you run along for a while on flat terrain, then hit a hill, it goes back to 'late shift'.

However, the cruise control problem of not resuming the set speed after a long downhill is still there. I have a long down hill section I drive quite often and the speed at the bottom of the hill will drop well below the set speed, then hold at about 5-6 mph less than the set speed for quite a distance, often more than a half mile, then gradually accelerate back to the set speed. I have tried hitting 'resume' at the bottom of the long hill and that makes no difference. Ford techs say this is 'normal' but I find that a bit hard to buy. The good news is, most other things are just fine now and I can live with this small issue. If you know it is there, you just reset the speed at the bottom of the hill.

All in all, I am pleased with the service I received and the follow up from Ford Customer Service.

Thanks for the status update, Woodie.

I’m pleased to read that you're satisfied with the service received!

You know where to find me if you need me.

Have a great day!

Tricia