It's been cold here at night the past 2 days, about 42 for a low. Each day in the morning when I put the van in reverse it doesn't seem to want to go and same with drive, it took a second or so to engauge. At normal temp. it seems fine but it does shift hard sometimes. The transmission is newer, about 10,000 on it, the PCM is new and has all software updates. Transmission was flashed when new PCM was put in. Any thoughts? Is this a wrong fluid problem? Thanks!

I had this same problem and found that the fluid was low.

Thinking of that I was just at the dealer about a month ago and it was low from what they said. I have no leaks underneath either. How do you check it? At normal temp, and running?

Only thing to try at this point is change the fluid and filter. All of the fluid.

Found it,

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=765256&highlight=checking+transmission+fluid

By all of it you mean by the shop/dealer? That flushes the converter too?

Fluid level should be checked with the fluid 100 degrees or hotter meaning drive it at least 5 miles. Engine must be running at idle, tranny in park and sitting on level ground. Fluid level should be between the two upper hot marks (holes). Check at least twice.

By all of it you mean by the shop/dealer? That flushes the converter too?

I would read up on flushes before I went that direction. Some have no problems with them and some have nightmares.

Two alternatives would be 1) Change the fluid three to four times putting several miles on it between changes. I use a small pump to pump it out the dipstick. You have to do this because you only drain about a third of the fluid when you drain the pan. 2) Disconnect the fluid lines going from the tranny to the cooler and pump it out that way. There is a procedure for this at Allpar.com

Will do, thanks, will post back.

My 2003 Ford van transmission, after it's parked for a few days, won't engage for a few seconds (5 to 10 seconds). Any thoughts?

Using other than ATF+4 will give you the symptom you describe, transmission slipping when engine is cold. I am not a fan of transmission flushes as I beleive too much can break loose with that procedure. I recently sold my '88 BMW 750il and I changed the fluid every 15,000 miles and the fluid and filter every 30,000 miles (BMW has a drain plug on the transmission pan) and after 200,000 miles on her I never had a transmission problem

transmission had a weld break which caused it to slowly fail. had to replace it again with another new one. thanks for all the help!

the transmission had a spot weld break which soon failed. had to replace with another new one. thanks for all the help.