• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


4th to 3rd gear downshift in sport mode

Exploderst

Exploderst

New Member
#1
Messages
20
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#1
Hey,

Looking at searches it seems some have had an issue like this but in all modes. Mine is a 22 and in sport mode on the 4 to 3 shift it slams into gear, no other gear is like this. Even just coming to a stop it slams down into 3rd. The dealer thinks it is normal, however it was not as bad as normal the day they drove it. Apparently it is hit or miss. It seems many 2020s had issues like this, and many were other gears. Anyone have a specific 4th to 3rd issue like this? Any resolution?

Thanks!
 

2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
#2
Messages
1,479
Reactions
711
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#2
I'd take it to a different dealer. That's what warranty is for and if this is a new development than it isn't normal. FYI Sport mode does jerk a little bit from 4th to 3rd so that it can rev match but it doesn't slam the gears.
 

C

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
#3
Messages
1,693
Reactions
842
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#3
Are you really getting on throttle when you downshift or are you not getting on throttle or light throttle? I have a 2020 and don't find anything unusual when I downshifted from 4 to 3, multiple times today. The other thing you might try is to reset transmission adaptive learning. You can do this through Forscan service procedure or (some say) unplugging the negative terminal of the battery for a few minutes. After you do this, shifts may be rougher but it should settle out once learning is finished.
 

OP
Exploderst

Exploderst

New Member
Thread Starter #4
Messages
20
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Thread Starter #4
2020FordRaptor said:
I'd take it to a different dealer. That's what warranty is for and if this is a new development than it isn't normal. FYI Sport mode does jerk a little bit from 4th to 3rd so that it can rev match but it doesn't slam the gears.
Click to expand...
Well, it’s done it since new, but I agree I need to have a different person look at it. Maybe I’ll take a new one for a ride and compare. The weird part is it’s gotten less intense since I had him drive it. Hmm.
 

OP
Exploderst

Exploderst

New Member
Thread Starter #5
Messages
20
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Thread Starter #5
Cdubya said:
Are you really getting on throttle when you downshift or are you not getting on throttle or light throttle? I have a 2020 and don't find anything unusual when I downshifted from 4 to 3, multiple times today. The other thing you might try is to reset transmission adaptive learning. You can do this through Forscan service procedure or (some say) unplugging the negative terminal of the battery for a few minutes. After you do this, shifts may be rougher but it should settle out once learning is finished.
Click to expand...
I did some testing today and on throttle it’s actually perfectly smooth, it’s only off throttle. It has to be crappy stock logic, but I don’t want to find out it’s the valve body or something after modding lol. I’ve seen a few posts about other gears like 7-6 being signs of failure but not much on the 4-3 being anything more than crap programming.
 

F

forgedgreen

New Member
#6
Messages
1
Reactions
1
Points
1
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
22 Explorer
#6
Exact same issue in my 2022. Rough snatch, as it were, from 4th to 3rd. Obvious in auto sport mode, more pronounced in manual. Detracts significantly from sport mode enjoyment.
 

OP
Exploderst

Exploderst

New Member
Thread Starter #7
Messages
20
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Thread Starter #7
forgedgreen said:
Exact same issue in my 2022. Rough snatch, as it were, from 4th to 3rd. Obvious in auto sport mode, more pronounced in manual. Detracts significantly from sport mode enjoyment.
Click to expand...
yeah, definitely makes sport mode suck at lower speeds.
 

BLucas86

BLucas86

Member
#8
Messages
77
Reactions
34
Points
17
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#8
Same issue here in my 22! Any solutions?? Only 10k miles and I NEVER use sport because of that terrible thump from 4 to 3. There is no rev match attempt just a abrupt thud. You should see the look the passengers make when it happens…
 

Ignatius_ST

Ignatius_ST

Member
#9
Messages
26
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Chesapeake, Virginia
Vehicle
Ford Explorer ST 2022
#9
+ 1. I have a 22 that does this in Sport Mode. Hardly ever use it because of it. I have the thermal 3" full, intercooler, etc. so it's not a great feeling with the rev/jerk slowing down. Especially coming to stop lights in the city. Little hondas next to me think I'm trying to race them! I'm hoping that a ZFG tune will correct this.
 

OP
Exploderst

Exploderst

New Member
Thread Starter #10
Messages
20
Reactions
11
Points
2
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
Thread Starter #10
Zfg makes it better for sure. Still sometimes a little rough but much better!
 

S

st8

1000 Post Club
#11
Messages
1,074
Reactions
479
Points
212
Location
Bel Air, MD, USA
#11
The FP tune fixed this. Not that you should have to buy a tune to do that but just fyi.
 

S

StoneColdBlue22

Member
#12
Messages
134
Reactions
44
Points
27
Location
Miami, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer st
#12
im having the opposite, from 3rd to 4th under partial throttle theres a noticeable lag in shifting, feels like it engages like half a second after its supposed to. it even throws you forward abit as if you let off the throttle.
 

M

MrBigglesworrth

Member
#13
Messages
102
Reactions
63
Points
27
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
#13
There is a valve body issue. It needs to be replaced. Mine was screwed up from the get go (04/22). Took it in a month after I got it. They told me it was fine. Think they thought it would break in. It didn’t. Picked it up yesterday after having the valve body replaced and for the first time since I’ve had her, I’m not constantly thinking about the transmission. Take it in. Get a new valve body.
 

BLucas86

BLucas86

Member
#14
Messages
77
Reactions
34
Points
17
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#14
Can confirm that the GearHead tune fixed this downshift issue. I can now drive in sport mode without breaking my passengers necks every time we’re slowing down. HUGE improvement with the transmission on this tune!
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top