my truck was idling in a parking space last week when it just turned off and wouldnt start back up starter would crank but noticed i could not here the fuel pumps. felt like it ran out of gas. checked the engine compartment fuse box PCM was blown. replaced it and it started right up for about 30 sec.

took it in to ford and they said they found a short at the valve body connector on the transmission. they said that "something" leaked into the connector causing the short. and want 900 bucks for parts and labor to replace the connector and the internal wiring harness mentioning that it might not fix the problem.

So im left with choices:
1. let them fix and get wallet raped?
2. drop the pan and see what the extent of the damage is? replace the harness and connector myself? and is that even an option?
3. buy a remanufactured 4r70w for 745 and scrap the old one?

The connector itself is the only thing visibly torched the wires connecting to it are in "normal" condition.

Any help will be appreciated!

 

No visable sign of anyone "torching" the connector means it shorted and burned. Drop the pan and see if you can find the problem.... if you can and can repair it, GREAT. If you can not find the reason, then it's decision time. On a '94, the tranny's should be an easy find in a junkyard.... they usually will warranty them to run. OR.... a tranny shop you trust to repair the one you have. Get a price if they remove it for repair or you do and deliver it. IF YOU WANT TO....

 

As far as dropping the pan, do i need to drop the valve body as well? And do you have any tips for draining this transmission there is no drain plug which means i gotta loosen the bolts and make it drip from one side is there a useful tip on what i can use to catch the fluid?

 

I would go with option #2.
Note that you may also have a bad plug on the wiring harness for the truck that plugs into the 4R70W that you may have to replace.
Not sure what could have dripped on a plug to make it short.
Does not sound right.
No you should not have to.

A large oil drain pan.

If you want to see a video of removing the harness email me and I will send it to you.
My email address is at the bottom of this post.

 

Dropped the pan today found out why my case connector shorted out... whoever took my drip pain off last pinched the internal wiring harness and cut the plastic sheath around the wires which eventually shorted and burned the entire connector.

As for internal damage it doesnt seem like the short affected anything inside the only problem is is I cant find a replacement wiring harness w/ connector or the external repair pigtail... does any body know where to find these or what vehicle i can steal one from?

 

Click here:
automatic transmission parts online

Automatic Transmission Parts
TransPartsOnline
2244 South Santa Fe Suite C-15
Vista, California 92084
North San Diego County
760-727-7560
E-mail: partsinfo@transpartsonline.com

Note the outside plug should be the item right below the red box in the image below, the red box is the harness:


/

 

Thank you very much i happened to find the case connector with internal wiring harness for 14.99 its like new but then again the tranny is 18 yrs old so it should work... just gotta order the right external connector pigtail and should be all set... Ill keep this updated!