Rough shifting in 4L

[Shinoko]

So I drove my Dad's car around and his acted the exact same as mine, so I kept wondering what the issue was. The shifting is fairly "rough" between 1->2, it isn't grindy or gritty rough, it just lurches a bit. So when I saw "rough", that is what I am referring to.

I went back to Windrock and figured it out amidst our trip. The issue is that if you switch from 1->2 in manual mode, the car sometimes decides "Nope, I wanna be in 1" almost immediately after shifting into 2. The result is you get a really rough shift into 2, then the same rough downshift into 1. It's so dramatic it flung me forward enough to hit the horn at least once. So the problem is the car shifts from 1->2->1 in basically one motion. Even my Dad, who was riding with me, was surprised how violent it was.

You have to be REALLY careful when going into 2 and ensure you have enough RPM/speed to keep it there or it will just decide to drop you into 1 immediately after and it is a very rough experience. I really wish it wouldn't downshift past 2 automatically, it lets you start in 2 and it appears in Auto it keeps you above 2 most of the time barely going to 1, so it seems ridiculous that this is a thing, but until (if) they decide to fix it, be aware of it.

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[telenerd]

Howdy old thread. I find 4 low, kinda odd for when I am in automatic mode. The shifting has a mind of its own. When it down shifts it happens at the worst possible time it can really spike the rpm and you have to slam the brakes. Seems to be a computer programming issue. When I am in manual mode doesn’t happen. But I do have to watch my rpm for shifting. I’ve learned to just let off the throttle a bit then up shift. Watching rpm is key to avoid rough shifts/lurching. My dealer mentioned nothing wrong with tranny. Just need to get use to 4 low and recommend manual mode for most trails.

For the folks on the thread is this still a problem for you? Or did you end up with a new tranny or transfer case? Maybe my experience is not normal.

 

[duel007]

Hello old thread again, found this on Google.

I have been running into this same issue recently in Colorado and Moab. The downshifts and throttle bips are infuriating - I can be standing on the brakes and the transmission will shift from 2 to 1 and blip the throttle, sending me forward despite not touching the gas pedal.

I have a lot better luck in manual mode, but shifting 2-1 or 1-2 is still rough and jerky more often than not.

I've also found that the brakes seem weak in 4-Low as well. Numerous times I"ve been climbing an obstacle, get wheel slip/wheel hop, and I stand on the brakes immediately. It takes a long time for the wheel hop to stop, which seems strange.

 

[Shinoko]

I have been running into this same issue recently in Colorado and Moab. The downshifts and throttle bips are infuriating - I can be standing on the brakes and the transmission will shift from 2 to 1 and blip the throttle, sending me forward despite not touching the gas pedal.

I have a lot better luck in manual mode, but shifting 2-1 or 1-2 is still rough and jerky more often than not.

I've also found that the brakes seem weak in 4-Low as well. Numerous times I"ve been climbing an obstacle, get wheel slip/wheel hop, and I stand on the brakes immediately. It takes a long time for the wheel hop to stop, which seems strange.

I sold my Bronco, but the only resolution I found is to not shift to second and, if you do, treat it more like a normal manual - meaning you have to shift gears before RPM drops and pre-empt the car deciding it wants to be in 1. Anything else and you risk this very violent shift feeling that I describe above. Every Bronco I drove did the same thing and I can't imagine it's good for the transmission. The issue with the solution of monitoring it is that I found it was very difficult to determine when the car decided it wanted to be in another gear, it wasn't a consistent RPM, it would do it all over the board - sometimes to even greater violent effect.

It didn't occur to me that it was throttle blips - I kinda figured it was just from dropping to a higher torque gearing, but maybe it's possible. Whatever it is, it's infuriating and my chest hit the steering wheel at least twice due to it.

And yes, the brakes are awful if you drive with two feet and don't use the Ford features for controlling trail speed. I didn't raise that because I didn't feel like dealing with the flames, but the car will overpower the brakes very easily. They seem more situated for street driving where the computer can apply additional braking force at the pedal when it detects a need, not driving with two feet and using them to control speed in 2L. It works but my other cars do it a lot better. They can also be a handful on steep descents where you need to carefully control speed.

 

[B22-2023]

I sold my Bronco, but the only resolution I found is to not shift to second and, if you do, treat it more like a normal manual - meaning you have to shift gears before RPM drops and pre-empt the car deciding it wants to be in 1. Anything else and you risk this very violent shift feeling that I describe above. Every Bronco I drove did the same thing and I can't imagine it's good for the transmission. The issue with the solution of monitoring it is that I found it was very difficult to determine when the car decided it wanted to be in another gear, it wasn't a consistent RPM, it would do it all over the board - sometimes to even greater violent effect.

It didn't occur to me that it was throttle blips - I kinda figured it was just from dropping to a higher torque gearing, but maybe it's possible. Whatever it is, it's infuriating and my chest hit the steering wheel at least twice due to it.

And yes, the brakes are awful if you drive with two feet and don't use the Ford features for controlling trail speed. I didn't raise that because I didn't feel like dealing with the flames, but the car will overpower the brakes very easily. They seem more situated for street driving where the computer can apply additional braking force at the pedal when it detects a need, not driving with two feet and using them to control speed in 2L. It works but my other cars do it a lot better. They can also be a handful on steep descents where you need to carefully control speed.

While I don’t experience the 1-2 shift issue in any noticeable way, I’m glad you mentioned the 2-foot issue. It only occurs to me out on the trail (then I forget when I’m home) but that truck will fight me at times I don’t expect - it really wants to overcome the brake in certain modes and in tough situations. Now I’m no longer surprised by it at least.

 

[telenerd]

Saw odd thread. My shifting was fixed with the Ford tune. I was gonna have dealer reflash things under warranty but just ended up getting tune cus that reflashes it anyways.

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