This procedure covers the removal and replacement of all shift solenoids in the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission found in 2015-2020 Ford F-150 trucks with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Shift solenoid set (10R80 complete solenoid pack) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission fluid filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV ATF — 11 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow transmission to cool completely for minimum 2 hours after last operation
3. Raise vehicle using floor jack and support securely on jack stands at frame contact points
4. Ensure adequate working height underneath vehicle (minimum 24 inches clearance)
5. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for system power-down
6. Clean exterior of transmission pan and surrounding area to prevent contamination
7. Position drain pan underneath transmission pan centered on drain plug
8. Verify replacement solenoid pack part number matches transmission identification tag on case

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   Locate transmission drain plug on bottom of transmission pan. Using appropriate socket, slowly loosen drain plug. Once loose, quickly remove plug by hand and allow fluid to drain completely into drain pan. This may take 10-15 minutes. Inspect drained fluid for metal particles or burnt smell indicating internal damage. Remove and discard crush washer from drain plug.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove transmission pan
   Once fluid is fully drained, locate all transmission pan bolts (typically 18 bolts around perimeter). Begin loosening bolts in criss-cross pattern, but do not fully remove yet. Loosen all bolts evenly, then remove all but two bolts at opposite corners. Carefully pry pan loose using plastic pry tool, allowing remaining fluid to drain. Support pan with one hand while removing final two bolts. Lower pan carefully and pour any remaining fluid into drain pan. Set pan aside for cleaning.
   ⚠Transmission pan may contain 1-2 quarts of residual fluid even after draining. Have drain pan positioned to catch spillage.
   Torque spec

   Pan Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove transmission filter
   Locate transmission filter attached to valve body. The filter is typically held by 2-3 bolts. Remove these bolts and carefully pull filter straight down to disengage from valve body. Inspect filter for metal debris or excessive contamination. Clean filter mounting surface on valve body using lint-free towel and approved solvent.
4. 4

   Access valve body cover
   With filter removed, locate valve body cover which houses the shift solenoids. The cover is secured by multiple screws around the perimeter (typically 20-24 screws). Using appropriate driver, remove all cover screws in a systematic pattern, keeping screws organized by location as some may be different lengths. Carefully note routing of any wiring harnesses connected to solenoids before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Cover Screws14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect solenoid electrical connectors
   Locate the main solenoid body electrical connector(s). The 10R80 typically has a large multi-pin connector attached to the solenoid pack. Carefully release connector locking tab(s) by pressing or sliding retainer. Gently wiggle connector while pulling to separate from solenoid body. Take photo of connector orientation for reference during reassembly.
   ⚠Connector pins are fragile. Do not use excessive force or bend pins during removal.
6. 6

   Remove valve body cover
   With all screws removed and connectors disconnected, carefully lift valve body cover away from transmission case. The cover may be sealed with RTV or a gasket. If stuck, gently tap with plastic mallet or carefully pry at designated pry points. Do not force or bend cover. Once separated, set cover aside on clean work surface with internal components facing up.
7. 7

   Remove shift solenoid assembly
   Inside the valve body, locate the solenoid pack assembly. The 10R80 uses an integrated solenoid pack containing all shift solenoids. Remove bolts securing solenoid pack to valve body (typically 6-10 bolts). Carefully lift solenoid pack straight up and out of valve body. Take photos of solenoid pack orientation and position before complete removal. Inspect valve body passages for debris or damage.
   ⚠Keep solenoid pack level during removal to prevent internal components from shifting or falling out.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Clean valve body and cover mating surfaces
   Using plastic gasket scraper, carefully remove all old gasket material from valve body and cover mating surfaces. Clean surfaces thoroughly with approved transmission cleaner and lint-free towels. Inspect for scratches, gouges, or warping. Blow out all fluid passages in valve body using compressed air with moisture filter. Ensure no debris remains in any passages or bolt holes.
   ⚠Metal scrapers can damage aluminum surfaces. Use only plastic or composite scraping tools on valve body components.
9. 9

   Install new shift solenoid assembly
   Remove new solenoid pack from packaging carefully. Compare to old unit to verify exact match. Position new solenoid pack into valve body in same orientation as removed unit (reference photos taken earlier). Align all locating pins and fluid passages. Install mounting bolts and tighten in star pattern to proper specification. Do not over-torque as solenoid body is aluminum.
   Torque spec

   Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect solenoid electrical connectors
    Route electrical connector(s) to solenoid pack following original path. Ensure wiring is not pinched, kinked, or contacting sharp edges. Align connector carefully with solenoid pack receptacle and press firmly until locking tab engages with audible click. Verify secure connection by gently tugging on connector.
11. 11

    Reinstall valve body cover
    Install new gasket on valve body cover or apply thin bead of approved RTV sealant per manufacturer specification if gasket is integrated. Position cover onto valve body carefully, ensuring all alignment pins engage properly. Install all cover screws finger-tight first, then torque in criss-cross pattern to specification. Do not over-torque as this can warp cover and cause leaks.
    Torque spec

    Cover Screws14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install new transmission filter
    Position new transmission filter onto valve body, ensuring alignment with fluid passages. Install filter mounting bolts and torque to specification. Verify filter seals are properly seated and filter does not interfere with any valve body components.
13. 13

    Clean and reinstall transmission pan
    Thoroughly clean transmission pan using solvent and remove all old gasket material. Inspect magnet in pan bottom for excessive metal debris. Clean magnet and reinstall in pan. Position new pan gasket on transmission case, ensuring proper alignment with all bolt holes. Carefully raise pan into position and start all bolts finger-tight. Torque pan bolts in criss-cross pattern from center outward to specification.
    Torque spec

    Pan Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install drain plug and refill transmission
    Install new crush washer on drain plug. Thread drain plug into transmission pan by hand, then torque to specification. Locate transmission fill plug on side of transmission case. Remove fill plug. Using transmission fluid pump, add MERCON LV ATF through fill hole until fluid begins to drip from fill opening. Install fill plug and torque to specification. The 10R80 requires approximately 11 quarts total capacity.
    ⚠Use only MERCON LV ATF. Other fluids will cause immediate transmission damage and void warranty.
    Torque spec

    Drain Plug42 Nm (31 lb-ft)

    Fill Plug42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Perform initial system check
    Reconnect negative battery cable. Start engine and allow to idle in Park. Check underneath vehicle for any fluid leaks at pan, drain plug, and fill plug. With engine at idle and brake pedal firmly depressed, shift through all gear positions (P-R-N-D and manual modes) pausing 3-5 seconds in each position. Return to Park. Check fluid level at fill plug with engine running - small amount of fluid should weep from hole. Top off if necessary.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in proper sequence to prevent leaks
2. Use only MERCON LV transmission fluid - do not substitute
3. Verify all electrical connections are fully seated and locked
4. Double-check transmission pan bolt torque after initial test drive
5. Keep work area clean to prevent contamination of transmission components

Verification

• Start engine and verify no fluid leaks from pan, drain plug, or fill plug
• With brake applied, shift through all gear positions and verify smooth engagement in each gear
• Perform test drive and verify all shifts occur smoothly without harsh engagement, slipping, or flaring
• Check for transmission fault codes using OBD-II scanner - no shift solenoid codes should be present
• Re-check fluid level after test drive when transmission is at operating temperature (160-200°F)
• Monitor shift quality over first 100 miles and re-check for leaks after 50 miles of driving
• Verify transmission adaptive learning completes by performing 20+ drive cycles with varied throttle inputs

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