What's the transmission fluid look like?
When was it last serviced?

Those 2 alone should clear up some of the issue. The rest may require new parts. If a solenoid has debris in it, or a valve somewhere, simply replacing fluid/filter may not be enough. A full flush or mar may be needed.

 

I'm having the same problem, which developed today. I was on a hill going 65 MPH when it started losing speed and the RPMs jumped to 5000. I live in a somewhat hilly, but not mountainous area. Tranny fluid is good, no leaks. Reverse works just fine. The car has 109,000 miles on it (it's a 2007), and I keep it well maintained.

 

If od light was flashing there is a tcm code. Find out that first

 

Thank you for your input! I took my car to the dealership, 3rd gear was out and the rest were following suit. I ended up just saying the heck with it and bought a new 2013 Focus. What the heck, it's only money, right?

[facepalm]

 

Would there be a TCM code if the O/D light had flashed previously and upon restart, was no longer flashing?

 

--------------------------
I realize that this is an old thread, but I have found the answer to this in MY car! I took it to my old-time mechanic who said that the shifting bands in the tranny are a different metal than the rest of the tran. When the bands heat up, they expand at different rates according to the metals used in them. This can cause irregular shifting INTO PASSING GEAR!!! He took out some of the tran fluid and replaced it with x-amount of Lucas Transmission Fix STOP SLIP, and it worked perfectly for about a year or so. Put in some more each year, and good to go!

Until you do this, I got the tranny unstuck by tapping the gas pedal then engaging it fully. OR...jam down on the gas until it forces it into passing gear. Obviously, one wants to get it to shift correctly to not damage the bands. I can handle putting in some Lucas 1x yr in lieu of replacing the tranny or rebuilding it!

 

Your trans guy needs to come into the 21st century. Setting the band (1 only in that trans) correctly will likely cure your issue or the driver end cover of the trans is worn out to make hydraulics leak, all Foci do it at some point. The band can crack to alter its' operation too.

ALL bands on the planet are covered with a different material, been that way for 75 years.

 

Could be...dumping a little Lucas in it every year or so works for me. My conversation with him over this was 5 years ago, so my memory of exact wording is faulty, particularly in regards to how many bands, etc. I just know that there can be a simple workaround. At some point it will need to be addressed, but it's been 4 yrs, and it is random and fairly infrequent (w/o Lucas in it). I won't have this car long enough to worry about another 4 yrs! Time for an upgrade in the future.

 

I made up an adjustable band bolt to adjust them like old school and they never slip at all even at 200K + miles. Part cost maybe $10 to make.

The problem with Lucas is that it can aggravate trans wear by doing what it does, make the clutches grab more. If the clutches are dead you then begin to drive metal to metal and trans tears up suddenly at the end, which comes quicker. It also causes torque converter clutch engagement issues. Slipping is often a benefit, it tells you something is wrong, ignore that and it gets worse. I for one won't use the stuff, it being a crutch like seafoam and other garbage for those who do not understand how engines and transmissions work. I sold gallons and gallons when I was in parts though.

Everybody I ever sold Lucas to said they were getting rid of the cars quick, so why waste the money? But then that comes from somebody who expects at least 20+ years out of any trans I work on. With no Lucas at all.

 

I made up an adjustable band bolt to adjust them like old school and they never slip at all even at 200K + miles. Part cost maybe $10 to make.

The problem with Lucas is that it can aggravate trans wear by doing what it does, make the clutches grab more. If the clutches are dead you then begin to drive metal to metal and trans tears up suddenly at the end, which comes quicker. It also causes torque converter clutch engagement issues. Slipping is often a benefit, it tells you something is wrong, ignore that and it gets worse. I for one won't use the stuff, it being a crutch like seafoam and other garbage for those who do not understand how engines and transmissions work. I sold gallons and gallons when I was in parts though.

Everybody I ever sold Lucas to said they were getting rid of the cars quick, so why waste the money? But then that comes from somebody who expects at least 20+ years out of any trans I work on. With no Lucas at all.

I can fully appreciate your knowledge and experience in this issue...I can't do the work, and I can't afford a transmission job of any size on $800 mo income. Unfortunately, a bottle of conditioner is in my budget, and banks won't give me a CC card. Yes, I have no doubt that in the long term, all such additives are harmful to gaskets, etc. It's a race to the end...a broken car or a year or two more limping along. Not a choice I like to make, but one I have no other choice to do...except to take the bus in a non-friendly mass transit city. I'll be putting Lucas in.

 

It is what it is.......................and the cars unfortunately do not care. I often wondered what happened next when the 50/50 chance of the additive doing something did not work out as it often later turned out to be. What do people do next when the car goes sour? They then look for another junker in most cases, until it too dies. An endless stream of cars. That in its' own way is very expensive to me at least.

Luck.