Rough shifting, only after highway driving

[chilly_75]

I'm reposting this here, in case the General Powertrain area wasn't specific enough for this issue.

My apologies if this question is asked and answered already. I have been searching over an hour and sifting through a mountain of info and have found nothing even close. I'm not confident the search results have much to do with what I'm entering!

 

Got a 2010 Fusion SE (4cyl). Runs great with no issues around town and on short highway trips under an hour. Shifts perfectly. Runs perfectly.

However, many times after cruising on the interstate for over an hour, the wrench light will come on, and then the transmission starts shifting very roughly. It makes the whole car lurch, both when accelerating and decelerating. You can go into town and drive around for a while and it will continue with the wrench light on, and the rough shifting. However, most times, if you just come to a stop, turn the car off, turn it back on, the light will go away and the shifting will be smooth as butter again.

What the heck is going on? Ideas on what needs to be fixed?
I had the codes read at Autozone one time while the light was still on, and their reader said there were no codes thrown.

Thanks in advance for the ideas. I would like to get this taken care of before sending my daughter off to college in it!!

[demo3210]

This sounds just like the issue I've developed the last month, though I have a 2011 3.0L FWD SEL (might be the same trans, not sure).

 

First time it happened was a month ago on a 10 hour road trip south and 5 hours into it got the orange wrench light and issues you mention. Pulled over, turn off the car, restart, and light is gone. Then every 1-2 hours highway driving thereafter light comes on and issues. While the auto store people could not find any codes, the Dealer found a P1783 (transmission over temp) code, but no trans damage; the only thing they said they could do is replace transmission and radiator but didn't recommend it (and no thanks) and said that it was likely high miles and age. Fluid is still pink (though slightly over Full). I've done every maintenance interval at the Dealer since I got it in 2012, including recently the 150k trans fluid, coolant, and belt services.

 

I took a 3 hour trip since the incident. Noticed it started to act up a little, but no orange wrench light. Around town/commuting is fine. Never had this issue though before the 10 hour road trip. 

 

I'm thinking about adding a transmission cooler. Not sure what else to do and I'm not sure how dependable the car is anymore despite how well I've taken care of it. From all that I've read, this is not a good transmission (I believe 6F35). 

[bangster]

Lots 6F35s in the field with lots of mileage, but yes, the early ones are not as good as the second generation one, but the difference is not as night and day as first gen bad, second gen good.

[Kv3blue]

This may sound weird, but it could be your throttle body is beginning to have problems. These cars are drive by wire and there have been issues with earlier Fusion throttle body’s going dead in the middle of driving (search the forum for that problem).  If your vehicle still has the original ones, it is most likely it. I replace both my Fusion Hybrids throttle bodies a few years ago after finding out the original ones sudden stop and acceleration problems. They original Ford ones are inexpensive from the internet for $55  and really easy the replace, just 4 bolts.  Do the research first, if not it’s only $55 to replace.