Mysterious loss of power/speed experienced
#1
03-09-2004, 04:55 PM
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Mysterious loss of power/speed experienced
I've been reading this forum for some time now and have heard about all the problems other owners have been having with their engines and transmissions. I'd like to share my experience from last night. I drive a 2003 F-350 4x4, CC, LB, SRW, 6.0L, auto truck at work (6/2003 build date) at work. Until yesterday, 5600 miles with no problems.
I just began my trip when I seemed like the truck was lacking power. It would accelerate fairly normal to 25 MPH, but then had difficulty reaching the posted speed limit of 35 MPH. The truck hadn't been driven for about a week so I though the differential and transmission oils were cold (-30ºF weather). I also began to wonder if some of the problems other people were expericencing were appearing in this truck. I heard of limp mode before, but can't remember what it is.
Soon entered a 45 MPH zone and the truck would not accelerate to 45 MPH. I shifted to third and 45 MPH was reached. Through this process the engine looked as if it would not rev past 2500 RPM. I thought something may be wrong with the engine, so I stopped. The engine would rev normally while in park or neutral. I then checked the transmission oil level and it was fine. Began to drive again and heard a clunk from the front end. Reached down and shifted the transfer case into 2-wheel drive. Everything drove normally then. Decided to stop to unlock the hubs and check the front end for damage.
Don't drive your truck in 2-wheel drive in TOW mode on icy roads. Trust me on this. As I let off the accelerator, the transmission began to brake, but only the rear drive wheels. The truck began to fishtail immediately. Since I didn't want to slam on the brakes or hit the accelerator (I was crossed up on the roadway) on icy roads to disengage the transmission braking, I hit quickly pushed the button to turn off Tow mode. FYI- I was driving in tow mode to keep the engine RPMs higher for better engine temps and heat in cab (-30F).
The front differential was not hot and did not see any immediate damage, so finished the trip and dropped off the truck at the shop today. Just would like to remind people to look for mechanical problems, not just assume problems with re-flashes, sensors, etc...
I just began my trip when I seemed like the truck was lacking power. It would accelerate fairly normal to 25 MPH, but then had difficulty reaching the posted speed limit of 35 MPH. The truck hadn't been driven for about a week so I though the differential and transmission oils were cold (-30ºF weather). I also began to wonder if some of the problems other people were expericencing were appearing in this truck. I heard of limp mode before, but can't remember what it is.
Soon entered a 45 MPH zone and the truck would not accelerate to 45 MPH. I shifted to third and 45 MPH was reached. Through this process the engine looked as if it would not rev past 2500 RPM. I thought something may be wrong with the engine, so I stopped. The engine would rev normally while in park or neutral. I then checked the transmission oil level and it was fine. Began to drive again and heard a clunk from the front end. Reached down and shifted the transfer case into 2-wheel drive. Everything drove normally then. Decided to stop to unlock the hubs and check the front end for damage.
Don't drive your truck in 2-wheel drive in TOW mode on icy roads. Trust me on this. As I let off the accelerator, the transmission began to brake, but only the rear drive wheels. The truck began to fishtail immediately. Since I didn't want to slam on the brakes or hit the accelerator (I was crossed up on the roadway) on icy roads to disengage the transmission braking, I hit quickly pushed the button to turn off Tow mode. FYI- I was driving in tow mode to keep the engine RPMs higher for better engine temps and heat in cab (-30F).
The front differential was not hot and did not see any immediate damage, so finished the trip and dropped off the truck at the shop today. Just would like to remind people to look for mechanical problems, not just assume problems with re-flashes, sensors, etc...
#2
03-09-2004, 07:57 PM
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