I have a 1994 F150 351, E4OD.
After a got the trans rebuilt back in March, about 2 months after, I started having a shifting issue. When I put it in "D" and start to take off, it doesnt shift into 2nd gear until it reaches about 3,000 RPM or until I let off the gas...BUT, once it finally shifts into 2nd gear, its fine all day long until my truck sits over night again. Ive taken back to the transmission guy I go to and he checked it out again, replaced the Torque Converter again do to a small crack "thinking" that was the issue. When I got it back, it shifted fine for a day, but then it started up again. So I took it back to him and we all thought it was a hung valve. He checked it, cleaned it, valve body was fine. So he ordered a new set of solenoid packs thinking they might be warpped. Once I got it back, it shifted fine again for a day, them started back up.
Since ALL the sensors on the trans have been checked, including the VSS, MAP, and TPS, we have no clue what it can be.
So I figured I would see if anyone on here had any ideas?

Again, mechanically, the trans is great. It only has this problem when I first start it for the day and once it finally shifts into 2nd that very first time, then its fine until it sits over night again

 

Warped solenoid pack??? Ain't ever heard of that.

But the early E4OD's were known for warped cases (and valve bodies?) which I DON'T think is your problem since it only does it one time in the morning. It anything was warped, I'd think it would do it continuously since once you bend metal, it tends to stay there til you do something about it.

I still vote for sticky valve or clutch apply piston. What fluid is in it?

 

Its something electrical related. Because whenever the trans guy I go to gets into the transmission, it works fine for a day and whenever I have cleaned the MAP, TPS, IAC Valve, and a couple others, it seems to work fine for a day, but then starts back up.
I starting to think my Powertrain Control Module is taking a crap...But Im not sure.
I know its not anything mechanical in the transmission because the guy I go to has been in it 4 times since March. I trust he knows what he is doing cause he has been doing it for over 30 years and has built drag racing trans and even a couple monster truck transmissions.
I find it odd that when I unplug a couple sensors in the engine compartment, it makes it work for a day...And when he fiddles with the transmission, it works fine for a day or so. I dont know how this happens.
Ive been reading that it can possibly be the PCM or even the PSOM..But my speedometer works fine.

 

Pull your DTC codes!!!! You will notice that every time you had major work done it shifted fine for a day or so.... The reason? I would just bet that every time the battery is disconnected, it clears the CODES and all is fine until the CODE sets again......

These E4OD transmissions are COMPLETELY computer controlled, and just about anything that will set a DTC code will cause them to go into LIMP mode.

 

Ill have to pull those then.
But, what stumps me is it only has this issue when it starts up cold. And once it finall shifts into 2nd gear after reaching 3,000 RPMs that very first time, then it shifts fine all day until it sits over night again.

 

just a thought,have you sprayed/cleaned the linkage going to the MLPS.Might just be some dirt/grease/oil inside the linkage binding up and when it warms up, it not be as sticky and move far enough to work properly.

 

Also, if the DTC codes are the ones you pull when plugging into the EEC, then Ive already had then done and it checked out fine.

 

The MLPS was replaced when I got the trans rebuilt back in March.

 

did they clean the linkage? 1 minute job to spray cleaner inside the linkage

 

I do believe so. The guy I go to knows what he is doing and if he sees an issue, he replaces it.
If I go ahead and unplug it and clean it myself, I wont find out if it worked until tomorrow when it sits over night.
I also wonderedif it has something to do with temperature related since it only does it when everything has sat for a few hours. Like it doesnt like the cold or something...

 

your not confusing the trans shifting with toque converter lockup are you?
along with the solenoids on the pack there is also a TOT (trans oil sensor) which sends info the pcm and the pcm will keep the converter from locking up until the fluid has reached a certain temp (of which i don't know.) this would explain why your trans mechanic can't find the issue and why you only run into the "issue" when the trans is cold and why for the rest of the day it works "issue" free.

 

Hmm...I dont think its locking up cause it goes to 3,000 RPM. But ive never heard of the Trans Oil Sensor...Ill have to check that out and see if that could be it. It would make sense.

 

If that sensor is in the trans, I would think my trans guy would've checked it cuz he said all the sensors on the tranny are good.

 

any solutions to this problem yet???Mine dos the same BUT if I lock out the overdrive it shifts fine right away. Any ideas?????