Can’t Keep It In Gear: SureTrack Community Fix

September 29, 2021 by Nick Taylor

Real Fixes from Mitchell 1’s SureTrack® expert information resource are documented issues from actual shop repair orders and community discussions. Read on to see how SureTrack can help you correct issues that are not easily diagnosed using OEM information alone. SureTrack is available at no additional cost in our ProDemand product.

Having to figure out what’s wrong with a vehicle after someone else works on it can be a challenge. In this case, a rebuilt transmission has to be torn down to find the cause. SureTrack community member MIKE1968 had a Ford F150 in the shop that would fall out of gear when coming to a stop. They posed their question to the community, and with the help of fellow community member 1Quick6 and others, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.

The following Community Fix summarizes the interaction between members of the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
2007 Ford Pickup F150 5.4L

Title
Falling out of gear, replaced valve body.

Complaint
Customer complains that truck falls out of gear when coming to a stop.

Diagnostic Steps Performed/Parts Replaced
Customer had transmission rebuilt at another shop. Test drove truck and confirmed that it falls out gear when coming to a stop. 120,000 miles on truck. No codes in system. Found black ash in pan, tore down the transmission and everything looks great. Has new converter, all new clutches and solenoid block. What else could cause the falling out of gear every time you stop?

Best Answer from Community Member 1Quick6
Many things can cause this, especially after overhaul. Worn valve body, bad EPC solenoid, incorrect assembly of the gear train.

Cause
As suggested, inspected valve body and found wear causing the issue.

Correction
Replaced valve body. Truck operates as good as new. Thanks for the input.

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About the Author

Nick Taylor

Nick Taylor is the SureTrack Community Administrator and a Senior Applications Specialist at Mitchell 1 with over 25 years of experience with electronic repair data systems. Nick previously worked in the automotive dismantling and engine rebuilding industries.