2007 Edge Transmission problems

[UTfball68]

First time poster, so I hope I'm in the right place and following proper forum etiquette here. I'm a long time Ford guy, but usually stick to 50's-70's stuff. However, the dd's are relatively new, and I'm having transmission issues with my wife's 2007 Edge SEL (FWD, with 3.5, has 155k on the odo). I apologize for a lengthy post, but I'm trying to be as specific as possible for a diagnosis.

About a month ago, I noticed the Edge was really hunting at shift points (when at operating temp). Cruising speeds were running about 750-1000rpm higher than normal (mpg's dropped about 5-6 points) (this was consistent whether hot or cold). The vehicle wasn't holding speed very well while cruising (at operating temp). And finally, what made me bring it to the dealer was, after 30-45 minutes of driving, with cruise control on and set, it wouldn't hold speed on an incline. So I tried manually giving it gas with cruise still on, and I had absolutely zero throttle control. Through this entire process, I could not get the vehicle to throw a single code. I read several forums that pointed me in the direction of the TPS (and while swapping sensors, might as well do the OSS and ISS, I believe they were called). I didn't want to just throw parts at it, so I suggested those items to the dealer. The dealer pretty much shot it down and I'm not even sure they tested. When they start their diagnostics, they say the only code they can get is that the trans was operating too warm. Said it was operating in excess of 250* and less than 220* is spec. They say 'the valve' and 'some lines' were sludged up, causing the excess heat. $400 later, 'the valve' and 'the lines' were replaced and the trans is now back operating in the normal temp range.

So I got the Edge back Wednesday. The dealer tells me the symptoms are fixed...but now I have an 'intermittent whistle' that they don't know what it is, and will require $2000-4000 worth of 'exploratory surgery'. Tell them, I'll drive a 9 year old vehicle with 155k on it in to the dirt before I pay 2-4k for a problem that no one can even diagnose yet. They said they understood, and it could last another 150k, but they just don't know.

So I get in the car...almost immediately I hear that 'intermittent whistle'. It's acctually a pretty consistent whine between 2500-3500rpm between 45-60mph. Almost sounds like a power steering pump whine coming from my trans...or maybe an actuator hunting for engagement. Definitely much more pronounced as I'm getting off the throttle. Turned O/D off to see if that had an effect, it did not. Beyond that, I won't say the vehicle is 'right'...but the original symptoms I brought it in for are now gone.

I should also note, this is a podunk town, where I get a 15% discount from this dealer every time, because I have more pre-97 Ford literature and manuals than they do, and they call me from time to time for help (I'm a finance guy by profession).

So I apologize for the lengthy post, but that is where I stand. I'm pretty proficient with a wrench, I just need some guidance. So thoughts, opinions, suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Edited March 18, 2016 by UTfball68

[macbwt]

I am not going to say they took you to the cleaners, but did they change out the TSS and OSS sensors in the transmission? If not then they did not fix the problem. The other thing to check is the brake booster. Known bad part also. Bad booster can affect driveability and cause some stalling/lack of power. Note: The TSS and OSS throw no codes until they fail and it can take many miles with poor shifting you suffer until failure. Once they fail you walk home or ride home with a guy named bubba in his tow truck.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

The whistle could just be parts breaking in, but you might want to find a BG service shop and have the trans flushed after a few hundred miles have passed, just to be sure there's no debris in the trans from the service. I sincerely hope it is not gear whine. At least it's not PTU while since your Edge is FWD

 

http://www.bgfindashop.com/locator/index.php

 

In the meantime, keep checking the dipstick to ensure the fluid is a healthy color, smells like new fluid should, and is filled to the proper level. Check the owner's manual for instructions on how to check these items.

Edited March 18, 2016 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W

[UTfball68]

Thanks for the responses guys. And no...they didn't swap any other sensors. I was planning on doing those myself now.

[macbwt]

I hope if you do this your mechanical skills are above the norm.. You can accomplish it but this is not what I would rate as an easy job. Many parts to the transmission need to be removed.

Thanks for the responses guys. And no...they didn't swap any other sensors. I was planning on doing those myself now.

[Zazzy]

I did this job recently and posted in the 2008 section.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Here ya go:

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/19167-tss-oss-sensor-change-pcu/?do=findComment&comment=149332

[UTfball68]

Alright...follow up to this post for those with the same issues, since in my hunt I rarely saw a final solution. Brought the Edge back in to the dealer, told them to check it out again, they understood the shifting issues. Told me in the bay and on the test drive, they still never got any codes to pop. I told them general consensus was OSS and while they were at it to go ahead do the TSS too. They didn't seem really please some punk kid was telling them how to wrench or how to diagnose, and they certainly didn't want to hear anything I read from google. Anyway, they quoted me $787...ouch, but told them it was better than $2,000-$4,000 worth of exploratory trans surgery. The second day they had it, they told me tech just 'printed out all the trans information' and not a single thing pointed to what I wanted done. I was then told it was a pretty intensive process and 'ya know, some times things just go wrong when you start doing trans work.' At that point, told them nevermind, give me the parts, I'd do it myself. After a week of picking at it when I could, and borrowing tools I don't have at the new house yet...TSS and OSS replacement was a success. My shifting issues were resolved, and I'd even venture to say better than new (never have been impressed with this trans).

 

Now...follow up question...that 'intermittent whistle' I picked up from the last time I had the dealership look in to my trans issues, it's still there. Dealer said they only noticed it at the 4-5 shift. But it definitely is more speed/rpm dependent. If I'm between 45-70mph and 2000-3000rpm it'll whine going in to every shift point, during the shift and persist until I get back to cruising. Doesn't matter OD on or off. Under hard acceleration, ie shifting above 3k, the whine isn't there. There is also an intermittent 'hum' for a little while after my final shift and go back to cruising, that sounds like it eventually goes away. Thoughts or opinions on this??? Outside of the whine/hum the vehicle is operating and driving perfectly...no knocks or rattles or adverse driving characteristics at all.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Sounds like possibly line pressures are not what they should be. This could be caused by sludge accumulation/worn out fluid, or of course, one of the solenoids actually wearing out. Not sure of the fluid history on the trans, but I would recommend having it flushed with either BG (assuming current fluid looks good and has no particulates), or put in Amsoil trans fluid. Both these approaches should work splendidly, IF the whine is indeed trans related. Would free up sticking valves & solenoids, which absolutely hate heat.

 

Have you checked power steering just in case? If the fluid is not a healthy pink color, or it smells burnt, you should drain & refill it (easiest with turkey baster method, video'd by macbwt), or have it flushed. If there are leaks, look into replacing the p/s hoses (and filter if there is one).

[UTfball68]

Sounds like possibly line pressures are not what they should be. This could be caused by sludge accumulation/worn out fluid, or of course, one of the solenoids actually wearing out. Not sure of the fluid history on the trans, but I would recommend having it flushed with either BG (assuming current fluid looks good and has no particulates), or put in Amsoil trans fluid. Both these approaches should work splendidly, IF the whine is indeed trans related. Would free up sticking valves & solenoids, which absolutely hate heat.

 

Have you checked power steering just in case? If the fluid is not a healthy pink color, or it smells burnt, you should drain & refill it (easiest with turkey baster method, video'd by macbwt), or have it flushed. If there are leaks, look into replacing the p/s hoses (and filter if there is one).

 

Since I got the Edge at about 20,000 miles, I've done new fluid every 25-30k. And in the last 5,000 miles I've done new fluid once and the dealer has done two flushes. I've checked everything the ol innerwebz has said to check, regardless of whether I thought it was worth the time. PS fluid, bearings, trans level, fuel pump, etc etc.

 

 

Now is there a solenoid in particular I could target???

[UTfball68]

Apparently I used the quote function wrong...soooo:

 

Since I got the Edge at about 20,000 miles, I've done new fluid every 25-30k. And in the last 5,000 miles I've done new fluid once and the dealer has done two flushes. I've checked everything the ol innerwebz has said to check, regardless of whether I thought it was worth the time. PS fluid, bearings, trans level, fuel pump, etc etc.

 

 

Now is there a solenoid in particular I could target???

[UTfball68]

That being said...I could totally see a line pressure issue, since that's what the dealer touched the last time right before I started having issues.