Transmission will not shift into third gear

Tiny
HODA022290
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD ESCAPE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
Vehicle is driving normal at low speeds, but wont go into third gear. I have only one code P0733 saying the TCM isn't convinced with the current output speed and gear selected (third). I ran some trouble diagnostics with a nice scanner that had a service mode that allowed me to select the gears manually to test the transmission. I am able to command first and second with no issues. When I command third, the car stays in second, but the transmission registers that it has shifted in to third gear. Also, if I try to shift into fourth, it seems like it goes into first gear. Monitoring the current gear under normal operation has a similar result. Looking at the scanner, the vehicle shifts from first to second to third but in reality the vehicle only shifted from first to second. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 9:47 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

This issue sounds like a failure in the third gear clutch assembly. If it was a solenoid, it would code for the solenoid.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

I attached the flow chart for the code to check wiring, TCM and the shift solenoids.

I think in the end, it will come down to the transmission itself.

Roy
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
HODA022290
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Roy,

Yeah unfortunately I think it's gone. I'll try the pinpoint test when I'm back in town. Looks like I'm likely going to have to replace it.

Best,

MA
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I agree.

Roy
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Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 AT 2:13 PM

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