69DropTop

Thanks to everyone for the replies and info! ?

Do you think the Triax fluid is better than the Motorcraft Mercon LV and maybe that is why it wasn't as dark the 3rd and 4th change? How often do you think the fluid should be changed, every 30k miles? I was thinking of doing as someone suggested and doing one drain and fill every oil change. I know one thing, I definitely don't want to wait 60k+ miles again. I was definitely nervous when I saw how dark the fluid was.

I am getting ready to download Forscan for my PC so I can read some trouble codes. Eventually I would like to do some reprogramming E.G. turn on the cruise functionality. What is a good or recommended OBD II adapter? I'm a shadetree mechanic and won't be using this much so I don't need or want to spend a lot of money to get the best available adapter.

I posted this in a thread about checking and changing the transmission but thought I would post in this thread also. I removed the full plug, it was full but the fluid was dark. I can't say for sure but I might have even seen a little sparkly on the paper towel. I am debating if it's even a good idea to flush the trans now because you hear people talking about when you put new fluid in a transmission with old bad fluid that it can cause the trans to go out. I was thinking of just going ahead and doing one drain and fill cycle, driving it, and then seeing what things look like. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Ok, I'll update the thread when I get a scanner that sees in the transmission

I removed the full plug, it was full but the fluid was dark. I can't say for sure but I might have even seen a little sparkly on the paper towel. I am debating if it's even a good idea to flush the trans now because you hear people talking about when you put new fluid in a transmission with old bad fluid that it can cause the trans to go out. I was thinking of just going ahead and doing one drain and fill cycle, driving it, and then seeing what things look like. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Awesome, thanks for the confirmation!

I'm trying to check the fluid on my 2017 in may end up cycling it out. I do not have the same level plug as in the pictures that I have seen so far in this thread. I'm guessing this bolt is the level bolt for mine. Can anyone confirm?

We were wondering about transmission or lock up feature of the torque converter. It does seem to do it more going uphills with steady throttle. Mine will also do it on flat ground or slight inclines, does your only do it going uphill?

The dielectric grease didn't do anything so I bought a bottle of seafoam fuel injector cleaner and put it in. I have since used about 2/3 of that fuel but it is still doing it. We were thinking possibly the crank sensor but it starts fine and has never stalled on me. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what to look at next?

Your radio looks nice, I'm sure it's much better than the factory radio. Yes, please let me know how your steering wheel swap goes and if your able to make the radio controls work. I have attached a picture of the same radio that I have.

Did you have to buy an adapter to make the radio fit the dash? If you are able to post a picture of it installed that would be awesome! I wouldn't mind upgrading my radio, especially if the steering wheel controls work!!

My mechanic friend came over and spent about 30 minutes looking at everything his tool would let him see with the engine running and not running. He couldn't come up with any codes and everything looked normal. We went for a test drive, it did the shudder thing but he didn't see anything and nothing came up on his tool when it shuddered. He said he is not able to plot with the tool he has. He did get a couple misfires when we were driving but this time on cylinder 2. We put some dielectric grease on all of the cop to spark plug connections but i haven't had a chance to drive again since then. He said it's likely a mechanical problem that the computer can't pickup. He suggested to start off by replacing the fuel filter, if it has one, then to run Sea Foam in the gas. Any thoughts or suggestions?

I was thinking also it would be best to drive around and log it rather than a quick scan with it at idle.

Jseda, Thanks for the info! I think I just have the base AM/FM radio; it does have AUX in but I bet that is standard. Do you still have the base AM/FM radio? It would be great if you could let me know how your steering wheel swap goes!!