Symptom Chart: Automatic Transmission

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Diagnostics in this article assume a certain skill level and knowledge of Ford-specific diagnostic practices. REFER to: Diagnostic Methods .

In most circumstances the PCM/ TCM sets a DTC to help guide with diagnostics. Refer to the DTC Chart before using the Symptom Chart. The Condition column lists the vehicle condition. The Possible Sources column lists a detailed vehicle condition. The Action column lists the action to be performed to determine the cause of the condition. Each action lists the components that can cause the symptom and the individual components in that system. The components are listed in order of disassembly. Use the list of components and the required action to focus on disassembly inspections for the root cause of the concern.

Symptom	Possible Sources	Action
Engagement concerns	No forward	CHECK A clutch for damage. REFER to: A Clutch . CHECK E clutch for damage. REFER to: E Clutch . CHECK the low one way clutch for damage. REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly .
No reverse		CHECK A clutch for damage. REFER to: A Clutch . CHECK B clutch for damage. REFER to: B Clutch . CHECK D clutch for damage. REFER to: D Clutch . CHECK F clutch for damage. REFER to: F Clutch .
Harsh reverse		Corrupt or incorrect adaptive learn tables. PERFORM an adaptive learing drive cycle. REFER to: Adaptive Learning Drive Cycle . CHECK B clutch for damage. REFER to: B Clutch . CHECK F clutch for damage. REFER to: F Clutch .
Harsh forward		Corrupt or incorrect adaptive learn tables. PERFORM an adaptive learing drive cycle. REFER to: Adaptive Learning Drive Cycle . CHECK E clutch for damage. REFER to: E Clutch . CHECK A clutch for damage. REFER to: A Clutch .
Delayed/soft reverse		CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission - 10R80). CHECK line pressure. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK B clutch for damage. REFER to: B Clutch . CHECK F clutch for damage. REFER to: F Clutch .
Delayed soft/forward		CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission - 10R80). CHECK line pressure. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK E clutch for damage. REFER to: E Clutch .
No forward and no reverse		CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission - 10R80). INSPECT the filter and filter to pump seal/gasket. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Pan, Gasket and Filter . INSPECT the pump assembly. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body . INSPECT main pressure regulator valve for damage, scoring, or sticking. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body . INSPECT turbine shaft splines on transmission input shaft and in the torque converter turbine. REPLACE damaged components as necessary. REFER to: Transmission .
Delayed/soft forward and reverse		CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission - 10R80). CHECK line pressure. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . INSPECT the filter and filter to pump seal/gasket. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Pan, Gasket and Filter . INSPECT main pressure regulator valve for damage, scoring, or sticking. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body . INSPECT the pump assembly. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body .
Delayed shift out of Park when external temperature less than -20°C (-40°F)		Extremely cold ambient temperatures can delay the park lock pawl solenoid valve activation up to 10 seconds. To verify, test operation at operating temperatures.
Neutral after launch		The Low One way clutch is not holding on acceleration. REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly .
Harsh/soft/delayed engagement after stop/start restart.		CHECK auxiliary transmission oil pump, pick up screen/check ball (If equipped). Pump tube to case O-ring missing or damaged. Pump output tube blocked/restricted LPC valve not returning to center (sticking valve/broken springs). REFER to: Transmission Fluid Auxiliary Pump .
Shift concerns	Slip on hard acceleration in both 1st and 2nd	One way clutch (roller type slipping). REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly .
No 1-2 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		C, D clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition C or D clutch does not apply. REFER to: C Clutch . REFER to: D Clutch . The A clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition A clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: A Clutch . The E clutch may be seized Stuck on. REFER to: E Clutch .
No 2-3 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The E clutch may be damaged or worn. REFER to: E Clutch . One Way clutch seized/stuck holding. REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly . The A, C, or D clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition A, C, or D clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: A Clutch . REFER to: C Clutch . REFER to: D Clutch .
No 3-4 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The E clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition E clutch does not apply. REFER to: E Clutch . The A, C, or D clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition A, C, or D clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: A Clutch . REFER to: C Clutch . REFER to: D Clutch . The E clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition E clutch always applied. REFER to: E Clutch .
No 4-5 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The E clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition E clutch does not apply. REFER to: E Clutch . The A, C, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition A, C, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: A Clutch . REFER to: C Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The D clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition D clutch always applied. REFER to: D Clutch .
No 5-6 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The D clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition D clutch does not apply. REFER to: D Clutch . The A, E, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition A, E, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: A Clutch . REFER to: E Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The C clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition C clutch always applied. REFER to: C Clutch .
No 6-7 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The C clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition C clutch does not apply. REFER to: C Clutch . The D, E, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition D, E, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: D Clutch . REFER to: E Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The A clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition A clutch always applied. REFER to: A Clutch .
No 7-8 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		CHECK B clutch for damage. REFER to: B Clutch . The D, E, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition D, E, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: D Clutch . REFER to: E Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The C clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition C clutch always applied. REFER to: C Clutch .
No 8-9 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The C clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition C clutch does not apply. REFER to: C Clutch . The B, E, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition B, E, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: B Clutch . REFER to: E Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The D clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition D clutch always applied. REFER to: D Clutch .
No 9-10 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		CHECK D clutch for damage. REFER to: D Clutch . The B, C, F clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition B, C, F clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: B Clutch . REFER to: C Clutch . REFER to: F Clutch . The E clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition E clutch always applied. REFER to: E Clutch .
Only gears R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 available Only gears 7, 8, 9, 10 available		The A clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition A clutch always applied. REFER to: A Clutch . The A clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition A clutch does not apply. REFER to: A Clutch .
Only gears R, 8, 9, 10, M1, and M2 available Only gears 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 available		The B clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Direct clutch always applied. REFER to: B Clutch . The B clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: B Clutch .
Only gears 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 available Only gears R, 1, 6, 8 available		The C clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition C clutch always applied. REFER to: C Clutch . The C clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition C clutch does not apply. REFER to: C Clutch .
Only gears R, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 available Only gears 1, 5, 9 available		The F clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Low reverse clutch always applied. REFER to: F Clutch . The E clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition E clutch does not apply. REFER to: E Clutch .
Only gears 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, available Only gears R, 2, 4, 10 available		The E clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition E clutch always applied. REFER to: E Clutch . The E clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition E clutch does not apply.
Only gears R, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 available Only gears 1, 2, 3 available		The F clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition F clutch always applied. REFER to: F Clutch . The F clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition F clutch does not apply. REFER to: F Clutch .
No engine braking in M1 or M2		The B clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition B clutch does not apply. REFER to: B Clutch .
Torque converter operation concerns	No apply	CHECK for DTCs related to torque converter concerns. INSPECT the torque converter hydraulic circuits and regulator valve for damage or wear. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body . REFER to: Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) .
Always applied (engine stalls)		CHECK for DTCs related to torque converter concerns. INSPECT the torque converter hydraulic circuits and regulator valve for damage or wear. REFER to: Main Control Valve Body . REFER to: Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) .
Cycling/shutter/chatter		CHECK for DTCs related to torque converter concerns. CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check (307-01 Automatic Transmission - 10-Speed Automatic Transmission - 10R80). INSPECT the torque converter hydraulic circuits and regulator valve for damage or wear. REFER to: Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) .
External leaks		Damaged or worn seals. REFER to: Leakage Inspection .
Noise		Engine drive accessories, suspension, CV joints, REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) .
Vibration		Engine drive accessories, suspension, CV joints, transmission fluid cooler tubes, REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) .
Unable to shift out of park		INSPECT the park pawl, park lock pawl solenoid, park lock pawl valve for damage or wear. CHECK for broken park lock pawl return spring. REFER to: Transmission . CHECK B clutch and D clutch, and SSB and SSD for leaks or sticking.
CHECK for low line pressure. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures .
INSPECT the anti back flow valve. REFER to: Transmission .
Unable to Engage Park		Park lock Pawl actuator non-electrical failure, stuck on.
A, C, D, or F clutch stuck on (non-electrical). REFER to: Transmission .
Park lock pawl linkage fault. REFER to: Transmission .
Mechanical override being used to hold transmission out of park. REFER to: Transmission .
Fluid contamination causing park lock pawl valve to stick. REFER to: Transmission .
Overheating		Transmission fluid cooling system damaged. REFER to: Transmission Cooling .