6R80 Valve Body Problems & Solutions

The 6-speed Ford 6R80 transmission is actually based on the German ZF 6HP26 transmission, and is produced under license at Ford’s Livonia Transmission Plant in Michigan (ironically, many BMWs use a nearly identical transmission). It was first used in the 2009 Ford F150, and soon spread throughout the Blue Oval’s rear-drive product line. In order to better facilitate Ford’s Select Shift manual shifting function, the design of the 6R80 valve body was changed starting with the 2010 model year trucks equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine. The modification moved the 6R80 transmission control module / Mechatronic assembly from the top of the valve body, and integrated it into a new engine control module / powertrain control module. This change was extended for 2011 model year, to vehicles that were equipped with the 3.7L V6, 5.0L Coyote V8 and 6.2L V8. Vehicles that were equipped with the 4.6L and 5.4L V8 engines continue to use the general one design with the integrated 6R80 Mechatronic / valve body. In order to properly fix a 6R80 valve body, it will have to be modified beyond it’s stock form, to compensate for the design flaws that cause all of these problems. Companies like Street Smart Transmission do a good job of modifying the 6R80 valve body (they do things like modify the bores to improve fluid flow and eliminate premature solenoid failure), that way the whole transmission can function the way it was actually intended.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

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6R80 Valve Body Diagnostic Trouble Codes | DTC

6R80 Valve Body Technical Service Bulletins | TSBs

TSB 10-18-1 – Delayed forward/reverse engagement after cold starts – 6R80 transmission

2007 – 2010 Ford Expedition – 2009 – 2010 Ford F150 – 2009 – 2010 Lincoln Navigator
Problem – Some vehicles equipped with the 5.4L engine and the 6R75 or 6R80 transmission may experience delayed forward and/or reverse engagement after a cold start or in cold climates. The P0741, P0731 and/or P0735 DTC’s may also be present.
Solution – A new front pump adapter seal and separator plate will need to be installed. The main oil pressure regulator valve and its bore may also need to be cleaned.

6R80 Valve Body Problems

Harsh shifting due to accumulator piston bumper failure

Problem – Inside of the Ford 6R80 valve body are little shock absorber like devices called accumulators. Every time a gear change takes place, one of these accumulators will move to absorb the excess fluid pressure created by the shift. At the base of the accumulators are little rubber bumpers that help to absorb this shift shock. But as the rubber wears out, the damping effect is lost in harsh upshift/downshifts can begin to happen.

Solution – In order to solve this very common problem, new 6R80 accumulators will need to be installed.

Torque converter problems caused by worn bypass clutch control valve and bore

Problem – Time and mileage may not be kind to these gearboxes, and that can lead to another of the more common 6R80 valve body problems. The bypass clutch control valve is responsible for the hydraulic pressure needed to apply and release the TCC clutch. As the valve wears, it can begin to damage the bore in which it sits. This can affect the hydraulic pressure needed to activate the torque converter clutch, and even allow it to vent. As a result, a number of transmission problems can occur, including:

• Unusually harsh shifts
• Torque converter overheating
• Rough idle when the transmission is in reverse
• Too much TCC slip
• Delayed TCC engagement
• Delayed TCC release
• TCC related DTC codes

Solution – The bypass clutch control valve bore will have to be repaired (or the 6R80 valve body casting replaced) and a new valve installed.

Transmission function problems caused by worn clutch control valves and bores

Problem – Inside of the 6R80 valve body are little clutch control valves that control the apply and release timing of the D1 and E clutches. Time and mileage can cause the valves and bores that they live in, to wear out, causing a number of transmission problems that include:

• Bind up on the 1-2 upshift
• Unusually harsh 3-2 downshifts
• Coastdown neutral condition
• Flared shifts
• Pressure control related DTC codes
• Premature clutch wear

Solution – The bores inside of the 6R80 valve body will have to be repaired (or the valve body casting replaced), and new clutch control valves installed.

Catastrophic Ford 6R80 transmission failure due to excessive lubrication control valve bore wear

Problem – The bore for the lubrication control valve is prone to damage, and that can cause a number of 6R80 transmission problems that include:

• Lubrication flow restriction
• Transmission overheating
• Planetary gear failure
• Failed bushings
• Torque converter problems
• Erratic shifting

Solution – In order to correct this rather serious 6R80 valve body problem, the lubrication control valve bore will have to be repaired (otherwise the entire casting will have to be replaced), and an upgraded lubrication control valve installed.

Solving 6R80 valve body problems

The problem with repairing a 6R80 valve body is that you don’t really know what kind of stress and extreme temperature changes they have been subjected to. This is why many people simply install a remanufactured 6R80 valve body, to eliminate the threat of the unknown. Companies like Street Smart Transmission use state of the art equipment to completely remanufacture the valve body. This is not like rebuilding, where new components are simply installed into the existing valve body. They use specialized equipment to analyze each valve body to see if it has been cracked or warped. A mechanic does not just simply eyeball it, a machine does the inspection, and even checks the tensile strength of the metal to make sure that it meets the original OE specification.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Once a casting has been selected for the build, all of the bores are modified, to make sure that the valves will function the way they were intended to. Then every single component from the check balls, to the valves, pistons and springs are tested and/or replaced. After that process is complete and quality inspected, they install all new solenoids (they also bench test them prior to installation), speed sensors and pressure switches. The finished product is then put on a Superflow AXILINE Valve Body Tester, which can simulate actual road conditions. This allows their ASE certified techs to verify the functionality, and make any adjustments or fixes before they ship it out to the customer. Street Smart Transmission also gives it a 1-Year/No Hassle Warranty, which makes getting a remanufactured 6R80 valve body almost a no-brainer. To learn more about the remanufactured 6R80 valve body and the remanufacturing process that Street Smart Transmission, give them a call at 1-866-812-7560