I knew there were some issues with the new 6-speeds going in, and up until this morning, I haven't experienced any real issues. I mean, it is a little notchy here and there, but nothing major. Well, on my way into work, I got stuck behind a couple work trucks pulling trailers. I decided to overtake them.

I downshifted into second, hammered it around them, was just getting ready to clear the front vehicle when I went to shift into third, and that sucker would NOT go into gear. Luckily, I was able to coast by the rest of the way and back into the proper lane.

I didn't notice the "skip shift" message on my dash or anything (so I don't think it was THAT issue).

Then, after I came back from lunch, I turned off my car, pulled the parking brake, and went to just slide the shifter forward into third, and again, it didn't want to go. I wiggled the shifter side-to-side a little, and then it slid in with no problem.

I just rolled 13,000 on the clock. Has anyone experienced this as an isolated incident, or is this typically how the trouble begins? I was just wondering if it's time to start looking into some aftermarket S/T shifters, or if others have had this happen every once and a while and can live with it.

Thanks in advance.

 

Take it in to the dealer, have them document your complaint. Then have them check for TSB and in their OASIS system. TSB is public, OASIS is Ford Access only and will sometimes flag things to look for that that haven't been pushed up to TSB (public) status yet.

It also keeps track of repairs performed on vehicles by VIN in case you need to go to a different dealer. Could be something as simple as the tranny fluid needs to be updated (they changed the weight on the 6 speed manuals sometime late 2011 early 2012).

 

skip shift only comes when 4 different parameters are met and only when starting in first gear, so it wasnt that issue.

 

It isn't a symptom of a developing/ongoing problem.. its the way it is. I've only been locked out of third once.. but many others have experienced it. The scenario is always "spirited" driving with an attempt to shift at high rpms.

It may just lock you out due to some internal mishap (synchro's not ready).. or, what I discovered.. I was leaning on the shifter. It only takes a little lateral pressure to make this thing cranky. Now, even with pushing it hard, I am not gripping the shifter.. I'm just sliding it in place. I haven't been locked out of 3rd in 2 years after using this technique.

Not saying it was user error... and was just as annoyed as you when it happened to me, but since I couldn't control or understand what may be going wrong with the trans, I looked to myself and thought about what I may have done to cause it. In my case, I was leaning on the shifter (easy to do when excited) enough to in essence miss 3rd.

The time I did get "locked out" of third.. I was running up against an M3. Still beat him by 1.5 car lengths ... so taking it a little easier wont have much effect on your ability to take over traffic.

 

You know, I could totally see that as being the culprit in my case. I usually don't have too many issues shifting clean, but I do also grab the shifter. Plus, now that I think of it, I was trying to shift right-as I was changing lanes to get back in front of the vehicles I was passing. I probably WAS pushing laterally at the same time.

Thanks for the insight. I'll be more conscious of that now, and work on not grabbing the shifter. I guess this shifter is just a little less forgiving as the previous manuals I've owned.

 

I had the same problem and the dealer diagnosed the shifter that was bad. Since I was going to upgrade my shifter with an MGW, the dealer put the MGW shifter in for me! It works much better now.

 

allenmaty - can you go into some detail about the bad shifter? Were there other symptoms, were you always locked out of 3rd?

The 2-3 shift is easily the worst shift I've ever seen, and I've been driving manuals since I was learning to drive. I haven't decided yet if it's me doing something it doesn't like (like what MrSandman described) or if there is something wrong.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris, I was not always locked out of 3rd, I was only during high rpm (>6500) going from 2nd to 3rd. when it happened I would have to wait for the rpms to come down before it would go in. The ford tech was able to repeat it himself and was going to tear into the transmission, but he thought he would look at the shifter and replace that first. At that point I, gave him the MGW shifter I was going to put in anyway, he put it in and it made everything much better. So we left it at that.
But on a side note, the gates on this shifter are very close so if you don't push that shifter into 3rd just right you will hit the gate and it will block the next gear or try to put it into first if you're not careful (don't ask how I know). The best practice is to just use the palm of your hand to push the shifter **** up allowing the springs to center the shifter so it will go straight into 3rd. DON'T grab the shifter with your fingers and try to force it.
Best of luck!
Allen

P.S. ditch the skip-shift! Just go under the car and pull the plug on the solenoid.