Ford’s 6R80 can impress you with its 6-speed automatic transmission system, but you won’t feel the same when you constantly undergo transmission issues. However, it’s fair to say the same thing shouldn’t happen to you more than once, but what if it does? In that case, you should be wary of the problems so you can prevent further damage to your engine.
The common Ford 6R80 transmission problems consist of extreme transmission gear slippage, crossing temperature above the normal range, frequent downshifts, abrupt gear engagement, and so on. Every issue can be alarming and can indicate the immediate replacement of your transmission.
That’s why before you permanently cause your vehicle to go off, get to know all the issues you might face with the help of this article. There are also solutions for you so you know what to do when you’re in these situations. To learn more, read on.
9 most common Ford 6R80 Transmission Problems You Might Face
The 2007 build of Ford brought us the well-structured 6R80, which came with an automatic 6-speed transmission. With a longitudinal transmission that big, it’s only fair if some problems show up.
However, there are some common transmission issues that the 6R100 has been very well known for. These are-
#1- Overheating Out of the Blue
Unlike other transmission issues of the Ford models, this one stands out quite a bit in the case of the 6R80. You’ll notice overheating is very common during long drives or even slow rides.
This scenario can indicate greater issues, but the reason your vehicle possibly heats up is-
- Putting more load on your 6R100 than it can take.
- Frequent on or off-road journeys in hilly areas. The unequal surface puts pressure on the internal wirings, which is why it causes overheating.
- The faulty valve of the bypass clutch control.
- Worn-out or displaced components thudding onto each other, especially gear. This creates extreme friction and overheats the vehicle.
- Stopping the vehicle too much or irregularly can also be a reason why your Ford truck is overheating.
#2- Sudden Display of Odometer Dashes
It’s fine when your odometer shows the miles your vehicle has covered. However, what’s odd is when there’s a transmission issue, the 6R80 displaces dashes all across the odometer suddenly.
This incident might not make you feel like there’s a big problem, but in reality, it’s a big issue since it can disrupt the speedometer and eventually wreak havoc when you’re driving somewhere in an emergency.
This exact incident might also happen with the addition of the check engine light flickers. So why does this happen? Here’s why-
- When the harness that works as a connector to the transmission is malfunctioning.
- When the ignition doesn’t receive enough power and slowly transits to the failsafe mode, this incident takes place.
- When the gear placements are faulty and keep going higher.
#3- Extreme TCC Slips (Transaxle Converter Clutch)
Transmission slips quite often when there’s an underlying issue with the transmission. Especially in the 6R80, this is one of the initial problems you might come across.
The problem is that slipping isn’t normal and happens too frequently. However, there are reasons why this happens-
- When the clutch packs of the valves aren’t working properly.
- When the gearboxes aren’t aligned.
- When the hydraulic pressure doesn’t release at all, which is responsible for TCC releasing clutches.
#4- Transmission Control Indicator (TCI) flashes or Computer Code Display
Every Ford model has a Transmission Control Indicator, which works as a sensor that sends us signals when there’s a transmission problem. Your vehicle might consistently flashlights and indicate 6r80 transmission issues.
Even more so, when you check the solenoid box, you’ll find error codes that are a clear indication that your vehicle is undergoing transmission issues. For instance, if you see the code P1502 indicates transmission system failure and the code P1728 indicates transmission slippage.
#5- Intermittently Shutting Down the A/C Blower
At times, you’ll notice the A/C blower is either shutting down intermittently. This issue is quite a hassle as when the A/C goes off in the middle of a drive, it can be quite hard to deal with heat, especially if there’s hot weather outside.
This might happen when-
- Worn-out fuse box, which is responsible for protecting all electrical circuits. Hence, when the fuse wears off, your A/C goes off and causes a transmission issue.
#6- No Engagement of Transmission in Gear Change
Ford’s 6R80 transmission is susceptible to some flawed design, which is why a lot of the other models have a similar issue. Even in this model, when there’s a transmission issue, it slowly leads to transmission slippings and no engagement in changing gears.
Sometimes even if you find some engagement it’s quite delayed and still problematic.
- When the clutch pack valves are faulty or have malfunctioned.
- When the bore of the valves wears out.
#7- Frozen or Hard Shifting
It’s almost impossible to shift when there’s a transmission issue going on with the 6R80 and it’s possibly one of the most common problems with all Ford transmission issues.
In this situation, you’ll find yourself with a delayed transmission system followed by extremely hard shiftings.
The problems take place for the following reasons-
- The hydraulic pressure that sends pressure to the transmission isn’t reaching it for faulty bypass clutches that are a form of the control valve.
- Damaged or worn-out bores of the valve clutch packs.
- The clutch of the torque converter is not activating.
#8- Sudden Severe Downshift of Transmission
Another common problem you’ll notice in 6R80 transmission is not being able to shift properly and ending up suffering from server downshifts.
This incident can be quite troublesome and points out several causes-
- The release timing of certain clutches from the clutch packs isn’t receiving proper signals and not activating. Mostly consisting of E and D1 clutch switches.
- When the accumulator is malfunctioning and doesn’t absorb enough transmission fluid.
- When the rubber slips of the accumulator wear off, which is a tool that stops fluid leaks, upon which transmission issue occurs.
- Malfunction valves of the clutch packs.
- Worn-out valves
#9- Not Being Able to Shift More Than 1-2 Gears
Not being able to shift gears enough is a clear indication of a faulty transmission. In this case, you’ll find yourself not being able to activate or shift more than 2 gears.
The following problem can occur for-
- Faulty valve management.
- Malfunctioning individual clutches or the clutch pack.
- Worn-out bore, which directly affects the PCM and throws effect in transmission damage.
Solutions to Follow for The 6r80 Transmission Problems
Transmission issues can call for many things, but the first and foremost thing to do is find out whether you have a transmission issue in the first place.
Here are some things you can do-
- When you notice your 6R80 undergoes delayed engagements or is unfavorable during reserve, check the pump adapter as Its damaged parts can cause the incident.
- Check the clutch packs manually and inspect every valve to confirm if it’s clean or not. Sometimes clogged valves can cause underlying symptoms and might not indicate transmission issues. Hence, if cleaning the clogged space brings your vehicle back to normal, there’s no transmission issue.
- Check for damaged or malfunctioning accumulators as it plays a big role in why your transmission might need to be replaced.
- If you find a broken bore in the clutch valve, immediately take your vehicle for transmission repair.
- Check the solenoid blocks and codes to confirm if you have any confusion about what problem you might be facing.
Repair or Rebuild
Most 6R80 transmission issues happen in the first place for a damaged or worn-out component. That’s why getting a repair or replacement is a must.
For instance, if there’s a broken valve, solenoid block issue, blown fuse, malfunctioning lubrication valves, worn-out clutches, and oil leakage, then there’s no other option than to get a replacement.
However, instead of repairing or getting a replacement yourself, it’s always better to get a rebuild as re-manufacturing will not only inspect every problem for you but also replace every damaged component.
how much does it cost to Rebuild Ford 6r80 Transmission?
Rebuilds consist of constant inspection of every underlying issue, studying them, and repairing them coherently. It’s even better as they include updates on outdated components.
For instance, the solenoid builds of the 6R80 are not equipped to their full potential, but when upgraded with a slight RPM, it significantly increases in power and serves better mileage.
Including labor costs, upgrades, and replacements, the total build of a ford 6r80 transmission can take up to $2800 to $3200 altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much HP can a 6R80 handle?
When it comes to handling HP, the 6R80 can go up to 1000 hp, which is quite impressive. That too, just with the ECU tuning, it can handle a considerable amount of power that’ll serve you for the long run.
Is the 6R80 a good transmission?
The 6R80 has a 6-speed automatic transmission that’s better than the older models of the ford. With a strong transmission build and durable design, this model will serve you quite a good amount of time. However, after long-term use, there are chances of transmission issues.
How many quarts does a 6R80 hold?
The capacity of holding quarts by a 6R80 is quite a much. It can hold up to 5 quartz in one go and give you an extended mileage compared to other vehicles on the roads.
Final Words
Always be wary of the ford 6R80 transmission problems as not giving enough attention to these underlying issues can permanently wreak havoc on your precious vehicle.
However, if you’re mindful and follow all the instructions we’ve provided you in this article, hopefully, there’ll be less than no damaged. Inspect the issues, take it to the next rebuild shop, get the better version, and drive away completely worry-free!
