Auto Trans Stuck in 1st Gear

[Fonz54]

This morning I pulled my Bronco out of the driveway. I headed down the street and cruised up to the stop sign within in 200 feet from my house. Hung a left and the transmission would not shift from first to second. I had the auto stop/start disengaged. Drove about 100 yards more to another stop sign and still no shift. Pulled away from the stop sign was about to hang a u-turn and the trans shifted to second. drove it for a while and everything appeared to be normal and it has been running normal ever since. Has anyone else had this happen? It is a Badlands four door with the 2.7L

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[1970AMCAMX]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally put the transmission in manual mode?

 

[Beach_Bum]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally put the transmission in manual mode?

That was my first thought. Probably accidentally pressed the manual button.

 

[Fonz54]

Are you sure you didn't accidentally put the transmission in manual mode?

Definitely not. That was the first thing I checked. Shifter was at D and the dash display showed D as well.

 

[frdfan]

Will it up/downshift if you use the +/- on the shifter? If its like my F150, you can still use the manual mode in D.

 

[Fonz54]

I did not put n manual and try to shift it. It just shifted to 2nd onitsown.

 

[‘21OBX]

What they are getting at is if you accidentally tapped the - button even in drive it can hold the gear longer then will eventually shift.
Was it cold where you are? I haven’t had the issue but I also always let my cars warm up at least a few minutes. I like to see two bars on the temp gauge before I drive.

 

[Fonz54]

What they are getting at is if you accidentally tapped the - button even in drive it can hold the gear longer then will eventually shift.
Was it cold where you are? I haven’t had the issue but I also always let my cars warm up at least a few minutes. I like to see two bars on the temp gauge before I drive.

Ah so even if you just hit the button it will go into manual? I have a Porsche Cayenne and you can do that from the steering wheel but the shifter has to be moved toward the driver.
I am going to try it tomorrow.
Thanks

 

[Brockdog12]

I have a 2.3 but I don’t think that matters, mine was acting as if it was in neutral when trying to take off after a red light or stop sign, wouldn’t go anywhere, just revved and then it would eventually go into gear. Did it like 6 times since February. Dealer did some reprogramming and it definitely feels different than it did when it was failing. Haven’t had an issue since.

 

[‘21OBX]

Ah so even if you just hit the button it will go into manual? I have a Porsche Cayenne and you can do that from the steering wheel but the shifter has to be moved toward the driver.
I am going to try it tomorrow.
Thanks

It doesn’t go full manual but will let you down shift at any time you tap the - it won’t let you go all the way to 10 either. I use it frequently going down steep hills in town vs riding the breaks.

 

[frdfan]

 

[Fonz54]

Good info , but I did not upshift. Had both hands in the wheel and shoe upshifted in her own.

 

[dgorsett]

Good info , but I did not upshift. Had both hands in the wheel and shoe upshifted in her own.

Well, kinda. The excerpt from the manual is when in M mode. If in D you can downshift with the - button, but the transmission WILL automatically upshift when it's ready. As '21OBX stated handy for going downhill, it will automatically upshift when you start cruising again.

In M it will not upshift, but it will downshift if you slow down below the recommended speed for the gear you have selected.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

I would check the transmission fluid level.

 

[Fonz54]

OK I feel like the Tenderfoot Boy Scout who gets sent out to look for a Left Handed Smoke Shifter. When someone on here suggested I should check the transmission fluid level, I first looked to see where I could buy some ULV trans fluid. Went down to the local Ford dealer since the stuff is not readily available. Bought a quart for about $10. Came home parked the Bronco in the driveway. Opened the hood started the engine. Went on a snipe hunt looking for the transmission dipstick. Well golly there ain't one to be found as far as I can tell. Jokes on me.

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