Hard shifting Bird

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

My ‘04 Merlot, 94K miles, shifts hard from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd on soft acceleration. If I accelerate hard, shift is smooth. Any suggestions? Is tranny going bad, or are there ideas to remedy the situation? Thanks for your help.
Barry

[BLACK BEAUTY]

have you changed fluid?

[wcoates]

Careful Barry! My hard shifting tranny resulted in a rebuilt tranny being installed. Not fixing the problem resulted in rebuilding the rebuilt. Still no fix made them look at PCM which was the problem.

Had to fight with Ford to install a re-worked PCM under warranty. Problem solved but with a great deal of wasted time and money!

[BillyL]

Both good responses from our "Old Wise Ones". I would have my mechanic service the transmission and filter changed just due to mileage before looking at the PCM as culprit. Good luck and let us know outcome..

[007Cruiser]

Sounds like like the answer is in the question. Just drive it like you stole it! Problem gone. JK

Any chance that the battery was changed or disconnected recently?

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

Sounds like like the answer is in the question. Just drive it like you stole it! Problem gone. JK

Any chance that the battery was changed or disconnected recently?

I did put a new battery in it. What do you recommend? Thanks.

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

Both good responses from our "Old Wise Ones". I would have my mechanic service the transmission and filter changed just due to mileage before looking at the PCM as culprit. Good luck and let us know outcome..

I will try fluid change and filter. Good place to start.

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

Careful Barry! My hard shifting tranny resulted in a rebuilt tranny being installed. Not fixing the problem resulted in rebuilding the rebuilt. Still no fix made them look at PCM which was the problem.

Had to fight with Ford to install a re-worked PCM under warranty. Problem solved but with a great deal of wasted time and money!

I have no warranty. What’s a ballpark on the cost of a PCM?

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

Thanks for all your responses. Most appreciated!
007 Criuser, Can you give me the Window Short Drop Glass procedure, too?
Thanks again!

[007Cruiser]

I did put a new battery in it. What do you recommend? Thanks.

After a battery change, the engine and transmission need to relearn things. A very specific procedure is outlined in the owners manual. Before paying for a flush, try disconnecting the battery for at least 30 minutes before following this procedure:

Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
• The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
• If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed, the short drop glass, clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is reconnected.

[wcoates]

I have no warranty. What’s a ballpark on the cost of a PCM?

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...e-manufactuers

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

After a battery change, the engine and transmission need to relearn things. A very specific procedure is outlined in the owners manual. Before paying for a flush, try disconnecting the battery for at least 30 minutes before following this procedure:

Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
• The vehicle may need to be driven to relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
• If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is eventually relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive strategy. As a result of this, the transmission may shift firmly. This operation is considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time the adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation to its optimum shift feel.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed, the short drop glass, clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is reconnected.

That’s terrific information! Thank you very much. I’ll try it!

[007Cruiser]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. It has worked for others in the past.

[Splitwindo@gmail.com]

have you changed fluid?

Not yet. I’ll try the “relearn procedure” first before I get tranny fluid changed.
Thank you.