Official Tremec 3650 Issues Thread

Transmission problems with 2004?

I've read almost this whole thread (which took a while). I only saw one post from a 2004 owner. Is that a good sign? Do the new 2004 models have the newer cluster and syncros?

I'm about to take delivery of an '04 Mach1, I'd like to think I won't be going down this same road. While deciding on which car to purchase, I have driven 3 Mach1's (and one SVT) at two dealerships. All four cars shifted normally in all gears without any grinding or undo resistance. Of course all were cold (relative term here as I'm in South Florida) when I took them out. SO....

1) Did all of you with these issues have them from the beginning, or did it come on after some miles (how many if you know)?

2) Any 2004 owners having these issues?

3) Should I proceed with the purchase (would you buy a 2004)?

Thanks!
 
2004 mach 1 purchase

TheWaterSkier said:
I've read almost this whole thread (which took a while). I only saw one post from a 2004 owner. Is that a good sign? Do the new 2004 models have the newer cluster and syncros?

I'm about to take delivery of an '04 Mach1, I'd like to think I won't be going down this same road. While deciding on which car to purchase, I have driven 3 Mach1's (and one SVT) at two dealerships. All four cars shifted normally in all gears without any grinding or undo resistance. Of course all were cold (relative term here as I'm in South Florida) when I took them out. SO....

1) Did all of you with these issues have them from the beginning, or did it come on after some miles (how many if you know)?

2) Any 2004 owners having these issues?

3) Should I proceed with the purchase (would you buy a 2004)?

Thanks!


I do not know if the 2004 mach 1's you drove have the new updated
parts or not. I was told that some may and some may not. Tremec does not
know if ford has dumped all the old parts either or if some still made
it on to the production line.

Either way i just had the updated parts installed under warranty in my
2003 Mach 1. You can get them installed if the problem does show up
any time while under warranty. Discuss the this problem with the
dealership you will purchase the car from and make sure you get assurances
that the will do the job if need be.

It was the best thing I have done to the car so far. No one with the 1 to 2 gear grind/clash should stop until they get this done. Be persistent, demand
that install be done, go to the dealership owner and tell him or her
that it is being done all over the country. If you have to go to another
dealer that understands they can replace these parts as a normal
warranty claim.


Good Luck
 
TheWaterSkier said:
I've read almost this whole thread (which took a while). I only saw one post from a 2004 owner. Is that a good sign? Do the new 2004 models have the newer cluster and syncros?

I'm about to take delivery of an '04 Mach1, I'd like to think I won't be going down this same road. While deciding on which car to purchase, I have driven 3 Mach1's (and one SVT) at two dealerships. All four cars shifted normally in all gears without any grinding or undo resistance. Of course all were cold (relative term here as I'm in South Florida) when I took them out. SO....

1) Did all of you with these issues have them from the beginning, or did it come on after some miles (how many if you know)?

2) Any 2004 owners having these issues?

3) Should I proceed with the purchase (would you buy a 2004)?

Thanks!

I live in Lk Worth, FL (Winston Trails) and my 2002 Vert started the 1st to 2nd "scratch" after about 100 miles. We may not have snow down here but first thing in the morning you can bank that it will do it every time. I currently have 25K miles, changed and lowered the tranny fluid (Amsoil) - still does it. Bev Smith Ford said it was normal - BS! I wrote and called the Ford Customer Service line about the problem and even referenced the number of complaints in forums like this. Guess what? They said they had no record of problems - BS! At the Customer Service line (1.800.392.3673) I have the following:
Tracking ID - KMM2568607COKM
Case ID - 880588

I have news for you, Ford's not acknowleging any problems with the Tremec 3650. It's a shame that I love my Pony (a $29K car) but I'm getting close trading it in and going to the DARK SIDE - getting a 350Z "ricer"... :nonono:
 
I have followed this thread on the transmission problems, but as I said earlier, it doesn't look like there is much in the way of 2004 owners posting problems. That's why I asked about the possibility of the new parts being standard issue now. I'm hoping anyway.

I live in Legend Lake Estates, not far from you at all...
 
Twisted said:
Bluefishboy,
Updated parts? How did you convince the dealer to do it without a TSB? Are the parts the same as the ones listed here? How much better is it, 100% fixed?



Yes the parts replaced where the updated parts on the threads.

I made a point to meet the dealership owner and service manager every
time I purchased a car or truck. I have been doing business at this
dealership for several years. I Have purchased 6 vechicles in 3 years.

The week I went in for service temp. was 10 to 20 degrees. I had
the service manager drive the car the next morning with me. The 1 to 2
gear grind/clash was brutal.

His first response was this is the way it is and ford does not know what the
problem is. I then explained to him that the problem has been solved by
tremec. The parts are now available in the ford parts system. We then
walked over to the parts department and had the parts manager enter
the new part numbers. The parts that day showed that they had just
been entered into the ford system and are on national backorder.

I then said to the service manager I want these parts ordered and the
car is going to be here until it is fixed.

The work order said customer complains of 1st to 2nd gear upshift grind/clash in all temp. Tech has driven car and verified concern.

Car was at the dealership for 10 days until parts came in. Transmission
tech. had the old parts out and new ones installed in about 7 1/2 hrs.

Find a dealership that has an in-house trans. tech. that does 3 to 4 transmissions a week.

Result is night and day. Yes it is 100% fixed.

Talk to the dealership in a controlled manager with all the facts. Make
it clear you are willing to go all the way to get this fixed. Find the field
rep. in your area (see blueovalnews wed site) and get his name and
call him mention your problem, the solution and the dealership you are
dealing with.


Good Luck
 
20BlackGT02 said:
Can someone please post those part numbers again or the post #? I'm going to call the regional service rep from Blue Oval again and tell him about these part numbers.

Thanks.



Here are th new updated part numbers installed
in my trans.

3r3z*7124*BA SYN ASY TRANS
3r3z*7102*AA GR ASY-TRANS INTERM
3r3z*7107*AA RG-TRA/AX SYN BLK
3r3z*7230*AB FK ASY/TRANS 1st & 2nd GR SH
1r3z*7109*aa KIT-TRANS SNP RG
XT*2*QDX FLUID-ATUO TRANS 1QT MERCON


Good Luck
 
My car has been at the dealer since last Wed. I took it in for the front end noise, the rear end noise, the passenger side seat rub, the passenger side seat back wear like crap when no one sits in it, wind noise from the A pillar, improper dip stick readings, headlamps were misaligned, my passenger side door was misaligned (not by much but noticeable to me), and for the ill feeling transmission clunk and lockout. I had everything typed up in before I got there so he could leave it in the car for the tech. Last Friday, I talked to him, and said they were working on it, had to order some parts, and they wanted me to come in to test drive with the transmission guru. However, it snowed here on Friday, so doing that was out of the question. I talked to him on Monday to schedule a test drive, but now of course the darn weather is in the 50's!!! I explained to the service tech that it had to be cold, and to leave the car outside overnight. Of course, he has had the car inside everynight cause he knows I am anal about it! I talked to another service advisor today (my guy was off today) and he looked up the service order. Everything has been fixed (pending the fender alignment which they will have the body shop look at in the AM). Well, everything but the transmission too. They say they cannot duplicate the clunk!?!?

When I dropped my car off, I left them with the new part numbers and told them that other dealers had been able to get the new updated parts. I also left them a letter from Jon Veith at Tremec that described the problem and the fix.

So now, I have printed out bluefishboy's message, will take that with me in the morning and take them for a test drive. It is supposed to be 20 degrees here tonight. Hopefully the car is outside (which I doubt) and they can hear it 1st hand. Of course with them leaving it inside, it is not helping the situation.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get something done and get my car back. I am going through Mach withdrawal.... :(
 
1-2-3 clunk

Taking my 03 Torch Red Mach in friday morning , will be taking as much info as I can find. Talked to the tranny tech last week and I will probably have to give him a shot at the the ATF first..thanks to all for the info.
 
4.6 Mach 1 said:
My car has been at the dealer since last Wed. I took it in for the front end noise, the rear end noise, the passenger side seat rub, the passenger side seat back wear like crap when no one sits in it, wind noise from the A pillar, improper dip stick readings, headlamps were misaligned, my passenger side door was misaligned (not by much but noticeable to me), and for the ill feeling transmission clunk and lockout. I had everything typed up in before I got there so he could leave it in the car for the tech. Last Friday, I talked to him, and said they were working on it, had to order some parts, and they wanted me to come in to test drive with the transmission guru. However, it snowed here on Friday, so doing that was out of the question. I talked to him on Monday to schedule a test drive, but now of course the darn weather is in the 50's!!! I explained to the service tech that it had to be cold, and to leave the car outside overnight. Of course, he has had the car inside everynight cause he knows I am anal about it! I talked to another service advisor today (my guy was off today) and he looked up the service order. Everything has been fixed (pending the fender alignment which they will have the body shop look at in the AM). Well, everything but the transmission too. They say they cannot duplicate the clunk!?!?

When I dropped my car off, I left them with the new part numbers and told them that other dealers had been able to get the new updated parts. I also left them a letter from Jon Veith at Tremec that described the problem and the fix.

So now, I have printed out bluefishboy's message, will take that with me in the morning and take them for a test drive. It is supposed to be 20 degrees here tonight. Hopefully the car is outside (which I doubt) and they can hear it 1st hand. Of course with them leaving it inside, it is not helping the situation.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get something done and get my car back. I am going through Mach withdrawal.... :(

My car is in the garage at night and Im in So. Cal. and its about 50 degrees when I leave in the morining and it still clunks hard so I dont think you will have a problem getting it to do it if they leave it inside. It also clunks when I leave work when its 70+ degrees.
 
bluefishboy,
You had said, <font color="#0000FF">&quot;Result is night and day. Yes it is 100% fixed.&quot;</font> Are you saying that there is NO notchy shifting <b>AT ALL</b> after the new parts were put in?
 
Great news guys! Went to Ford this morning, went for a test drive with the tranny tech and shop foreman, and the car was clunking! At first they wanted to say that it was normal and all the newer Mustangs feel notchy and clunk between 1 & 2. Well after about 15 minutes of talking, they concluded that they would order the parts. The *new* parts will be here tomorrow and they will start first thing Monday morning! As for the door misalignment, it actually was the fender misaligned. They fixed that as well and the new stripe will be in tomorrow as well...

Here is a BIG :nice: to my dealer!!!
 
brianmef said:
bluefishboy,
You had said, <font color="#0000FF">&quot;Result is night and day. Yes it is 100% fixed.&quot;</font> Are you saying that there is NO notchy shifting <b>AT ALL</b> after the new parts were put in?



Yes shifting is not notchy at all. It is not like a Honda 2000. But
the result excellent. I just drove a 2003 cobra and Z06
Vette. It shifts better then both of those. I would say the feeling of
the shift is positive and nothing catching the shifter.

If I had a car that was out of warranty and was keeping the car,
it is worth paying for.