Transmission issues engine revs slightly when shifting into drive?

Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I was having transmission issues, this is at idle. I have reverse, but in drive or all forward gears disengage and engine revs slightly when shifting to drive also my speedo moves up to 50 mph when I give it gas. Then I got a p0172 code.
so, I replaced all 3 o2 sensors with Walker brand. Had to replace the exhaust after cat to rear of car. I also replaced all 6 shift solenoids with a new aftermarket brand. Also, both valve bodies were rebuilt. Also replaced both speed sensors aftermarket brand and new neutral safety/range sensor. New fluid and filter.
i disconnected both battery cables before work was done.
when finished I drove it for 3 drive cycles then all of a sudden it reverted back to same symptoms as before work done. I checked everything out then did the battery cable thing, then drove it again for 2 drive cycles and it reverted back again. But when I did drive it it drove great. Strong. Great shifts up and down. Like normal except for a little hard shifts and such as per relearn.
so today I reset PCM by battery cable way and now I still have reverse but drive disengages again.
i have an Ancel fd500 scan tool with ford system scan and came up with 201 systems scanned. It also scans transmission systems.
i have those live data results if needed.
What could be the issue here?

Oh. I also bought a remanufactured ECU/PCM programmed to my VIN with the latest update.
Sunday, November 24th, 2024 AT 8:54 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,397 POSTS
So, this code will not make the transmission act up, are there any transmission codes?

P0172 - System Too Rich (Bank 1)

To me it sounds like the transmission needs to be rebuilt. I would check the fluid level and condition; this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

Here is how the job is done on your car. Also, you must use the correct transmission fluid.

Type .................... MERCON V XT-5-QM or equivalent

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.
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Monday, November 25th, 2024 AT 12:55 PM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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Yes, I know the code won't do that. That was resolved. But to have driven the car several times and drove great I don't think the transmission needs rebuilt completely. Why would it drive so good like new? Strong like it should.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 AT 5:08 AM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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Could it be this? The last transmission filter I bought aftermarket brand the fitting on the filter that goes into the valve body was a little smaller in diameter than the one I removed so I removed the o ring from the old one and put it on the new one and it fitted better but still had a little wabble. Could it be that the smaller fitting was not letting the pump suck enough fluid causing it to disengage? Like I said the previous time I changed fluid and filter and it ran great like new.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 AT 10:30 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, that sounds like the problem, the filter must be "airtight" in the valve body. I would install another filter that fits correctly, which should solve the problem.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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Thanks Ken. I will do that next week after thanksgiving or new year's lol, and I will get back to you as soon as I make the adjustments. Have a great thanksgiving and a happy new year. Talk to you soon.
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Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You are welcome, have a great holiday season and let me know :)
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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No prob.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 AT 2:51 PM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
  • MEMBER
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Okay, I'm back. I changed out the tranny filter and a new vss. Reset PCM. Started and let idle for relearn. Then went to shift to reverse and that works. Went to drive and it engaged but about 30 seconds later it disengaged. I watched the Ancel scan tool and the solenoids opened and closed through each gear. When engaged in forward gears the torque slip went to 0 then disengaged and went to idle speed. The speed sensors read no faults and also the solenoids at no faults. Now I'm at a loss. I have live data info if you need any info from it. Idk why it's still giving me the same symptoms as a bad VSS. Help lol
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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Also, when it still was engaged in drive for a few minutes I gave it a little gas to move forward and it like stalled out. And I went to restart in neutral and it wouldn't so I had my hand on shifter and slightly moved it while in neutral with key to start then it started. Seemed like the switch was a tiny bit off alignment like just a little bit. Could it be the neutral safety/range sensor just off alignment? I know how to align it. Shift it to drive and the lever has a notch line up to the spot on the sensor itself?
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, this can cause the transmission to have issues if the gear range sensor is not aligned correctly or if it is going out. Here is how, so we are on the same page. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 10:14 AM
Tiny
#TEAMGIBSON
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Its a new Ford OEM range sensor just installed last month but I will adjust it tomorrow morning and let you know. If it's not that, what else could make it be the same? As I mentioned before, after replacing parts I drove it a few times and it drove great. Great shifts both up and down great acceleration and such then reverted back.
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 11:03 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, this can cause the problem, the only thing we can go on is codes and the fluid level and condition. If everything is okay, you may have something inside the transmission that has broken like a main drum or clutch pack that is having an issue. Please let me know what happens.
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Monday, December 9th, 2024 AT 8:39 AM

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