Symptom Chart: Automatic Transmission

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. 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 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	See condition Forward clutch does not apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly .
No reverse, engine braking in M1 works correctly.		See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
No reverse, no engine braking in M1.		See condition Low Reverse clutch does not apply. REFER to: Low/Reverse Clutch Assembly .
Harsh reverse		See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
Harsh forward		See condition Forward clutch harsh apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly .
Delayed/soft reverse		PERFORM Delayed Engagement Test. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check . See condition Direct clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
Delayed soft/forward		PERFORM Delayed Engagement Test. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check . See condition Forward clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly .
No forward and no reverse		PERFORM No Forward AND No Reverse Test. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check . INSPECT the filter and pump assembly. 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 for damage. REFER to: Transmission . INSPECT turbine shaft splines on transmission input shaft and in the torque converter turbine. REPLACE damaged components as necessary.
Delayed/soft forward and reverse		PERFORM Delayed Engagement Test. REFER to: Special Testing Procedures . CHECK the transmission fluid level. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Level Check . 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. INSPECT the pump assembly. REFER to: Transmission .
Neutral after launch		The Low One way clutch is not holding on acceleration. REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly .
Shift concerns	No 1-2 shift/harsh/soft/slipping	The intermediate clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition Intermediate clutch does not apply. REFER to: Intermediate Clutch Assembly . The forward clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition Forward clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly . The Low One way clutch may be seized (not over-running). REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly .
No 2-3 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The Direct clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly . The forward clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition Forward clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly . The Intermediate clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Intermediate clutch always applied. REFER to: Intermediate Clutch Assembly .
No 3-4 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The Overdrive clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Overdrive clutch does not apply. REFER to: Overdrive Clutch Assembly . The forward clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition Forward clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly . The Direct clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Direct clutch always applied. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
No 4-5 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The Direct clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly . The Overdrive clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition Overdrive clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Overdrive Clutch Assembly . The Forward clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Forward clutch always applied. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly .
No 5-6 shift/harsh/soft/slipping		The intermediate clutch may be damaged or worn. See condition Intermediate clutch does not apply. REFER to: Intermediate Clutch Assembly . The Overdrive clutch may be slipping during the shift. See condition Overdrive clutch delayed/soft/slipping apply. REFER to: Overdrive Clutch Assembly . The Direct clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Direct clutch always applied. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
Only gears 1, 2, 3, 4 available Only gears R, 5, 6 available		The Forward clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Forward clutch always applied. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly . The Forward clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Forward clutch does not apply. REFER to: Forward Clutch Assembly .
Only gears R, 3, and 5 available Only gears 1, 2, 4, 6 available		The Direct clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Direct clutch always applied. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly . The Direct clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Direct clutch does not apply. REFER to: Direct Clutch Assembly .
Only gears 2 and 6 available Only gears R, 1, 3, 4, 5 available		The Intermediate clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Intermediate clutch always applied. REFER to: Intermediate Clutch Assembly . The Intermediate clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Intermediate clutch does not apply. REFER to: Intermediate Clutch Assembly .
Only gears 1 and R available Only gears 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 available		The Low reverse clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Low reverse clutch always applied. REFER to: Low/Reverse Clutch Assembly . * The Low One way clutch may be seized (not over-running). REFER to: Low One-Way Clutch Assembly . The Low reverse clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Low reverse clutch does not apply. REFER to: Low/Reverse Clutch Assembly .
No engine braking in low		The Low reverse clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Low reverse clutch does not apply. REFER to: Low/Reverse Clutch Assembly .
Only gears 4, 5, 6 available Only gears R, 1, 2, 3 available		The Overdrive clutch may not be releasing properly. See condition Overdrive clutch always applied. REFER to: Overdrive Clutch Assembly . The Overdrive clutch assembly may be damaged or worn. See condition Overdrive clutch does not apply. REFER to: Overdrive Clutch Assembly .
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 . INSPECT the torque converter hydraulic circuits and regulator valve for damage or wear. REFER to: Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) .
Other concerns	Selector lever high effort	Selector lever cable routed wrong, binding or damaged. REFER to: External Controls .
No start/TR indicates R when the selector lever is in P		Selector lever cable routed wrong, binding or damaged. REFER to: External Controls .
External leaks		Damaged or worn seals. REFER to: Leakage Inspection .
Noise		Engine drive accessories, suspension, CV joints, REFER to: Main Control Valve Body .
Vibration		Engine drive accessories, suspension, CV joints, transmission fluid cooler tubes, REFER to: Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) .
No park range		INSPECT the selector lever cable for correct adjustment. REFER to: Selector Lever Cable Adjustment - 6-Speed Automatic Transmission - 6R80, Vehicles With: Column Shift . REFER to: Selector Lever Cable Adjustment - 6-Speed Automatic Transmission - 6R80, Vehicles With: Floor Shift .
INSPECT the manual control lever for damage, wear or correct installation. REFER to: Transmission .
INSPECT the park pawl, park pawl actuator, for damage or wear. REFER to: Transmission .
Overheating		Transmission fluid cooling system damaged. REFER to: Transmission .